Mpg

[koreshot]

Can I throw another wrinkle in here? During the Summer, when I get my best mileage, I use my AC, alot. (I paid for it, it doesn't leak, and.... it feels good!) Shouldn't my mileage suffer from use of the AC?

Yes, AC does impact gas mileage as it robs power, but that is probably made up by the better gas that is sold in the summer months.

Thats my guess anyway. I also think that at highway speeds, the AC running doesn't impact mileage all that much. I have seen some arguments that its actually more efficient to run the AC than to roll your windows down - lower drag.

 

[bvibert]

Yes, AC does impact gas mileage as it robs power, but that is probably made up by the better gas that is sold in the summer months.

Thats my guess anyway. I also think that at highway speeds, the AC running doesn't impact mileage all that much. I have seen some arguments that its actually more efficient to run the AC than to roll your windows down - lower drag.

The myth busters did a test that proved that out. The test wasn't all that thorough, but they did find, IIRC, that the car with the windows open got worse gas mileage. I'm sure it depends greatly on the aerodynamics of vehicle though. Their test was done with big SUVs.

 

[dmc]

During the Summer, when I get my best mileage,

Thats cause you don't have slow people in front of you in the snow to worry about...

 

[dmc]

The myth busters did a test that proved that out. The test wasn't all that thorough, but they did find, IIRC, that the car with the windows open got worse gas mileage. I'm sure it depends greatly on the aerodynamics of vehicle though. Their test was done with big SUVs.

They also proved that if you take your tailgate off your pickup it doesn't conserve gas too.. Something to do with an airpocket thats formed in the truck bed that allows air to pass over it..