Just how much extra gas does running the AC waste?

[amdhunter]

I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

 

[gopunk]

there was a mythbusters comparing gas mileage with window down and with AC... i think the outcome was there wasn't any difference

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: gopunk
there was a mythbusters comparing gas mileage with window down and with AC... i think the outcome was there wasn't any difference

But that's because they were onyl driving 45. THey revisited that episode and basically said it's more fuel efficient tohave the windows down at below freeway speeds but to use the AC at freeway speeds over 50 or so.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: gopunk
there was a mythbusters comparing gas mileage with window down and with AC... i think the outcome was there wasn't any difference

That's what I am thinking, that the difference is negligible. I just wish I could find a solid answer. I know there is a definite power loss to most vehicles with the AC on, but I don't notice this loss with my new Civic as much as I did with my old Galant.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

"Waste" and "use" mean two different things..if running AC makes you feel better, then by no means is it a waste.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Better aerodynamics with windows up, therefore better/same fuel economy with A/C on than without. The Max setting is simply recirculating cabin air instead of using outside air, so no difference.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

"Waste" and "use" mean two different things..if running AC makes you feel better, then by no means is it a waste.

Good point. It's also to keep my sanity from sneezing so much.

 

[Squisher]

This was in today's paper.

With summer on the way, our cars soon will become nothing more than toaster ovens on wheels. So do you hit the AC button, which makes the engine work harder and burn more gas, or leave it off to sweat and save?

The obvious answer is turn off the AC, since that gizmo takes about 10 percent off your mileage. But the engineers out there (and we have a few around here) point out that driving with the windows down increases drag, thereby decreasing mileage, too.

It turns out both approaches are right -- at different times.

According to Bankrate.com, it's best to sweat it out around town, when you're driving at less than 40 mph.

But once you're running over 55 mph, wind drag will lower your mileage by 20 percent or more, so you're better off rolling up the windows and kicking on the AC. At around 45 mph it's a wash, since you've got 10 percent wind drag, experts say.

Text

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Squisher
This was in today's paper.

With summer on the way, our cars soon will become nothing more than toaster ovens on wheels. So do you hit the AC button, which makes the engine work harder and burn more gas, or leave it off to sweat and save?

The obvious answer is turn off the AC, since that gizmo takes about 10 percent off your mileage. But the engineers out there (and we have a few around here) point out that driving with the windows down increases drag, thereby decreasing mileage, too.

It turns out both approaches are right -- at different times.

According to Bankrate.com, it's best to sweat it out around town, when you're driving at less than 40 mph.

But once you're running over 55 mph, wind drag will lower your mileage by 20 percent or more, so you're better off rolling up the windows and kicking on the AC. At around 45 mph it's a wash, since you've got 10 percent wind drag, experts say.

Text

Guess FrankyJr. got it right. Thanks for that article.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

"Waste" and "use" mean two different things..if running AC makes you feel better, then by no means is it a waste.

Yeah, that's how I've always looked at it.

 

[FoBoT]

it cannot 'waste' gas
it is a feature to cool off the interior of your car

if the car is hot, use it

 

[DaiShan]

I dunno, in high school I was driving to the beach for spring break and decided to do the drive over there with no AC, I filled up before I left then filled up the tank as soon as I got there to measure the amount of fuel used. On the way back I used the same procedure to measure fuel but used the AC the whole time. I think I used like .2 gallons less on the way back with the AC blowing than I did driving over there with it off, so I don't think it makes that much of a difference (at least in my car)

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

"Waste" and "use" mean two different things..if running AC makes you feel better, then by no means is it a waste.

Good point. It's also to keep my sanity from sneezing so much.

Christ, if you have a problem with allergies, AC (vs open air) is a must. Fuel has to get a hell of alot more expensive before you should risk your comfort/health. If you are so hard up that running AC is of concern, you should buy a bike

 

[dug777]

It makes a massive difference with smaller engines in my experience...

hammers my mileage regardless of how fast i'm going (i've got one of those plastic wind shield things on my drivers sid, so the air noise/drag/amount of air that roars in is massively reduced) with my 1.6L '89 323 turning the AC on.

 

[ScottFern]

My calculations came out to.........Not a lot.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: redly1

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

"Waste" and "use" mean two different things..if running AC makes you feel better, then by no means is it a waste.

Good point. It's also to keep my sanity from sneezing so much.

Christ, if you have a problem with allergies, AC (vs open air) is a must. Fuel has to get a hell of alot more expensive before you should risk your comfort/health. If you are so hard up that running AC is of concern, you should buy a bike

You know, I am not too hard up, but it pisses me off that the prices have risen so much. It's funny that you mention a bike though, since I want to buy one soon. Not so much to save money on gas, but to lose some weight. Two years of unemployment has made me quite pudgy.

 

[KrillBee]

yeah, under 40 mph it saves energy to just roll the windows down instead.

personally i just like to not where my shirt in the car during the summer time, and keep the windows up and the AC off when I'm on the freeway. Deal with the heat and save $ from gas not used

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
You know, I am not too hard up, but it pisses me off that the prices have risen so much. It's funny that you mention a bike though, since I want to buy one soon. Not so much to save money on gas, but to lose some weight. Two years of unemployment has made me quite pudgy.

If you use the bike as a commuter and a grocery getter, it can double the benefits...not only do you get a lot of exercise, you're on the "bicycle diet" where you can only eat what you can fit in your backpack

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I always hear how running the AC in your car wastes gas, but does anyone know how much? Lately I been getting killed with allergies (first time allergy sufferer) and sitting in my car with the AC running seems to help a lot.

I am just wondering if I am unreasonably wasting gas. Also, does running the AC without the "MaxAC" setting on save even further?

Do you mean that you sit in the car with the AC on, not going anywhere, or do you mean you turn the AC on when you're driving?

If it's the former, you might be better served energy-wise by just getting a HEPA filter and sticking it in your room.

 

[Trikat]

As dug said I believe a "smaller" car will have a bigger impact with the AC on.
You will also notice a bigger drop of power in a "smaller car," but that is just my guess.

 

[drum]

you'll save 1.32 MPG by keeping your windows up nubs!
do some research! :roll:

 

[irishmn69]

Christ, if you have a problem with allergies, AC (vs open air) is a must. Fuel has to get a hell of alot more expensive before you should risk your comfort/health. If you are so hard up that running AC is of concern, you should buy a bike

Seriously, just because you have to watch your gas, you should ride a bike (with allergies), don't you know more than half of america has to watch their gas. ITS 5.00 PER F***ING GALLON

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

When it's 40 degrees outside, rolling down the window aint gonna cool you down.

In summer the AC is absolutely nessesary. It doesn't matter how much fuel it uses.

 

[Engineer]

Old thread is old.

 

[BUTCH1]

Seriously, just because you have to watch your gas, you should ride a bike (with allergies), don't you know more than half of america has to watch their gas. ITS 5.00 PER F***ING GALLON

WTF, your first post and you necro a 7yr old car AC thread??

 

[disappoint]

WTF, your first post and you necro a 7yr old car AC thread??

rooflesquirts.

People google stuff on the innernet. This guy probably googled something about car AC. Then they click on a link to this thread in the google search results. They start reading and they get all uppity with feelings of superiority over what they perceive as a dumb post or idea and they have to post so badly they are compelled to register so they can put in their 2 uppity cents.

In their rage to rant they forget to look at the date of the post they are replying to.