January 11, 2011
Conserve more gas with a/c running or windows down?
Im putting in consideration the wind blow inside teh car slows down acceleration and in turn takes more gas……Ive seen it on myth busters but I dont know which one sucks up more gas on the highway.
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Jan 11th, 2011. Comment. 
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Comments on Conserve more gas with a/c running or windows down?
obviously you do with the windows down..that’s common sense, but a few of my friends didn’t realize this when I told them…they ride around with the heat or a/c full blast…and I tell them just put the window down you waste gas using the a/c 24/7 there like no really? lol idk i guess some people don’t realize it
…definitely with the windows down!!!
windows down, it is true that sometimes with A/C you can conserve more gas, but it really depends at the speed you´re driving at and the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
they did testing on controlled track/windows down in explorer/and ac on windows up/ speed set at 60mph/the difference was negligible something like 17.091 with windows down and 17.090 with up and ac on/aint riding in 100 degree in july for that amount/old wives tale foiled again/myth busters did it on tv
At highway speeds the windows down would be the least effective, but the difference is very small.
AC vs. Windows Down
Adam and Jamie tackle not so much a myth as what they call an “urban puzzle”. The debate arises because both methods of cooling influence a car’s fuel efficiency—air conditioning requires a lot of power to run, but at the same time, open windows create drag.
Revisited in MythBusters Revisited, Season 3, episode 38
Myth statement Status Notes
Running a car with air conditioning on is more fuel efficient than running with the windows down. Partly Busted Tests were performed under varying conditions (55 miles per hour (89 km/h) versus 45 miles per hour (72 km/h)). Also, the 55 mph test was using a computer to estimate fuel efficiency based on air intake, not actual fuel consumption, and showed A/C was more efficient. The 45 mph test consisted of running the tank until it was empty, and showed open windows were more efficient. This experiment—or one like it—is sometimes cited by the Magliozzi Brothers on Car Talk when presented with this question.
The amount of gas saved by turning the A/C off is so minimal, that it’s not worth the suffering and sweating.
Leave the A/C on and learn good gas saving driving techniques. THAT’S your best bet.