When driving, do you use the AC or open your windows?

Duh! sorry but it's obvious that ppl. that have the AC would use it when it's over 80 degress I'de say. I have AC and I use it when it's hot. I live in NH. I thought as you do that you use more gasoline with the AC running, but when you think again, how could you, the AC doesn't run on gas! Therefore I disagee that you use more gasoline when you use it, in fact I think with the windows open and less dynamic flow of the vehicle I think haveing the windows down would slow down the vehicle and that would use more gas than when they are up with the AC on! So I can agree to Dis agree with you on this one!

What a/c? We have no choice but to open the windows.

MythBusters did a show on this at the beginning of the year. The found that only pennies (like .01 or .02) were saved when riding with the windows down as opposed to using the A/C. We use the A/C unless it is cool enough to use the windows and not get all sweaty.

I would love to ride with my windows down but here in Louisiana ya just can't there is no air and it is just hot hot hot so I have to use AC

I always use the AC. I live in FL so it's really hot during the summer and when you roll the windows down you just get blown by hot air! So, if I need to cool down the AC is the only way to go! Thanks for the info... at least I am saving gas!!!

I totally agree with you there paidreader. It makes alot of sense. I usually don't use the AC unless it is deadly hot as I find that I get congested and sometimes sick. I prefer the good old fresh air from the windows though. I went and took a look at the website 'Goodwrench' and it was quite informative. I am already aware of most of the information there but one that I wasn't aware of wasthe not topping up at the gasbar. It says to stop fueling when the pump shuts off as it needs both fuel and fumes. That was interesting as I was always told to fill it right up as far as you can get it.

Here in KUwait in which we always have normal degree of 48 during Summer time I always conclude to used my A/C but when it is a winter time then that would be very great to open the window of my car in this time......

i often use AC since it was summer here but it's already getting colder so I can open up my windows now to save gas.

Hmmm - that's very interesting. In view of soaring gas prices, we all need to know how to conserve fuel, and this seems a great tip. I live in a very hot climate, and tend to use the A/C when driving round town, but I will try it with my windows open from now on. When on the highway I use the A/C, as I've read somewhere that open windows create drag, therefore more gas. Thanks for the report also, I found it very useful.

It all depends when im driving on the highway and it is hot in the car then I put on the ac because I dont like the window open plus it hurts my ears driving with the window open when driving 60 plus miles per hour. But if im driving on a regular street then ill keep the window open to save the oil since I dont want to run out.

normally when the weather is hot outside i definitely switch on my car's ac.but if tis cool or pleasant outside then i roll down the windows.also i prefer to switch on the ac when i am driving because driving with ac on or rolling down the windows hardly saves some amount of fuel so why not switch on the ac and be comfortable.one thing that matters the most is the speed at which you are driving.driving at about 40-50mph and at constant speed gives more mileage and saves fuel.

Thanks for all the information and i think whatever is written and said is very true, as this is what happens mostly. We tend to just put on the Ac the second we sit in the car no matter the distance and we just switch it on , without even thinking if we really do need it, or even i the distance is not too much etc, it becomes a habit with us. Its mainly for this reason that we have removed our Ac, and at first it did cause a little trouble but then we now are so usd to being without an AC, yes whenever we are travelling long distance and if the weather requirement is there, then alone the AC is put and used, as then it is effective as well, as other wise it has no use. When we are travelling within the city and that too to near by places, by the time the car starts getting cooler, we have already reached the destination and need to switch it off, thus the extra gas used for the AC etc, all goes a waste. And if we are within the city and using the AC, it gets suffocating instead to use the AC and have the windows rolled up, instead now we find it better to have windows rolled down and not use the AC, and get the fresh cool air too, i think we are much etter off without the AC, as well are saving much more now too.

I usually use my air conditioner. I have been told that rolling down your windows cost you more in gas then the ac. This is because the air slows the car down ( a little) making your car have to work harder.

I open my windows but on highways, I don't. The windows open actually creates "drag" and makes the car use more fuel, as my brother, a mechanic told me, so we are on the same page!! LOL

i have to open my windows, i don't have AC, but if i did i think i would first open my window, to get a bit of fresh air inside, then use the AC to make the temperature drop.

It is an easy decision for me. I have a 1989 car that never had an air conditioner in it! I am windblown every day! LOL.

A lot of people don't realise that in modern cars there is a lot of extra drag resistance in driving with the windows open, especially driving at speed. Although AC does use more fuel, at high speeds it could still be cheaper (and cooler) using the AC. You also get more fuel if you buy it when the temperature is cooler, than when hot, as the fuel expands when heated, and condenses when cooler.

Someone told me a few years ago that using the air conditioner at high speeds was more fuel efficient than the air resistance caused by having the windows down. Since being told that, I have used the air conditioner on open highways and rolled down windows around town!

its depend on climate of outside, if there is hot than i turn on ac, if there is cold, and wind is coming than i open the window. because i love natural wind.

I did hear that when riding over the highway it's best to roll your windows down because the car has to use more energy when it has the wind opposing it ... basically what you said. Over the past few years I have developed allergies and the AC is much better for people in this situation. So, if I happen to be in a car that has a working AC I will use it if makes me feel more comfortable. Other than that, I'll roll my windows down and hope that the red light turns green real soon so I can catch some sort of breeze :)