Which Is Better For Conserving Gas; Driving With The Windows Open Or Using Air Conditioner?

It’s a combination. If you’re driving 40 mph or slower, it’s better to drive with the windows open. At upwards of 40 mph, particularly on the freeway, close all windows and turn on air conditioning to avoid drag.

According to the mythbusters.. drive with the AC on.

I always thought that the air conditioner ate up gas. But my daughter just informed me that open windows creates drag which lowers your gas mileage and that using the air conditioner is better to conserve gas.
It’s common knowledge that kids know more than their parents, so……..

In the words of several stock car drivers whom I had the pleasure of seeing a few weeks ago in Nevada; neither. The biggest effect on your gas mileage is, when you are at highway speed, using your cruise control. At lower speeds, try to be a smooth driver and don’t accelerate or brake too fast.
Donna is also right.
Incidentally, have you thought about buying a bicycle? Spending $ 1500 on a nice roady would save you quite a bit of money nowadays!

Use the AC. Even if there was a difference, it would not be much. Your driving habits (speeding, braking, steadiness onthe gas pedal, length of trips, etc) will make a much greater diffference in mileage.

the air conditioner takes some power, yes, but it may be wasted power anyway if you do not use it. It depends on speed and driving conditions. if you are cruising in overdrive at 60 mph, it probably will not consume any appreciable amount of extra fuel to cool the car. If you are climbing a hill at 45 mph, yes it may take extra fuel to generate the power.
It is always better to be cool no matter what the cost.
Skip that expensive latte drink and enjoy some air conditioned cool

Really the best way is to drive with the windows up and AC off, which can get quite hot.
Doing one or the other isn’t going to make much of a difference anyway, its not like majically you’ll have $20 extra dollars from saving gas

USEING THE A.C.

use the ac because the open windows create drag on the car and the engine has to work harder to push the car along if you use the ac the only thing the car has to work for is turning a little ac compressor connected to your crank shaft by a belt its much easier for it

It’s going to use more gasoline using the AC. The drag caused by the open window will only be a factor at higher speed.

Driving with the window open because the AC uses more gas than you waste by having the windows open.

Cars built recently use a/c compressors that are very efficient. The extra aerodynamic drag created by open windows puts more strain on the engine. The answer is that in modern automobiles, it is more efficient to use the a/c.

in my opinion A/C is the way to go! driving with the windows open, like some peopl have already said, creates drag on the car and forces it to push harder, therefore, using up more gas. they had this on mythbusters once. its also better to drive with the tailgate up if you have a truck.

AC saves more gas