View Poll Results: windows down or air-con on?
Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll
air-con or windows down?
13 July 2006, 09:59 AM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: google "SMACS" We're # 1!
Posts: 8,765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
air-con or windows down?
what's your preference on a hot sunny day? this is the first car I've had with air-con, and I didn't think I'd use it much, but because of the weather lately, it's been on loads.
From a petrol consumption point of view, is it better to use the air-con and keep the windows up for less drag, or windows down and no ac sucking extra power?
What do you do?
From a petrol consumption point of view, is it better to use the air-con and keep the windows up for less drag, or windows down and no ac sucking extra power?
What do you do?
13 July 2006, 10:05 AM
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: www.aroundthesouth.co.uk
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
they say you use more with air con on but ive been geting the same miles per tank as i do the rest of the year so for me aircon on, windows dont help when your sat in traffic
That's what it's for! Trending Topics
13 July 2006, 10:46 AM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depends on the situation! Motorway / fast roads is aircon on windows up every time, country roads / round town it's got to be windows down. If I'm feeling extravagent it's windows down and air con on the feet 
13 July 2006, 10:58 AM
#15
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by h4rry
Ive never noticed any lack in performance with the air con on, i have it on most of the time, and sumtimes with the windows down aswell.....
13 July 2006, 11:15 AM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ascended to the next level
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Windows down, shades on, choons tuned up.
My god, I've turned 17 again
You only use more fuel with windows down if your travelling at speed...so in town you'll use less than with the a/c on
My god, I've turned 17 again
You only use more fuel with windows down if your travelling at speed...so in town you'll use less than with the a/c on
13 July 2006, 11:28 AM
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny Aberdeen
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kingofturds
Windows down,took the aircon belt off 
imprzas have never had the best aircon anway. If I really want to stay cool I use the climate control in the omega, its like being a penguin with hypothermia in that thing
imprzas have never had the best aircon anway. If I really want to stay cool I use the climate control in the omega, its like being a penguin with hypothermia in that thing
13 July 2006, 11:36 AM
#21
Scooby Regular
I saw this on .. Mythbusters I think it was. Anything over 45mph and the drag caused by having the windows open used more fuel than running with air con on, and under 45, say town driving, there wasn't much difference, but the air did use mariginally more fuel at lower speeds. 'Course, it depends on the car too.
![[Davey]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23806b84' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
13 July 2006, 01:22 PM
#25
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lancaster/Manchester or stuck in a traffic jam somewhere in between
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Round town etc -
Aircon on
Roof vent open
Windows down
I like to keep cool but make the most of the warm air as it usually only lasts for a week or so once a year
Aircon on
Roof vent open
Windows down
I like to keep cool but make the most of the warm air as it usually only lasts for a week or so once a year
13 July 2006, 01:24 PM
#26
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircon when stuck in traffic and no reliable airflow in cabin also when detriment to low rev response doesn't matter.
Windows down the rest of the time. There are a number of benefits to doing this:
1) More burble
2) More burble
3) Can put my arm out of the window like the aspiring Essex lad I am
4) Can *ahem* "Holla" at the laydees
5) They can see my Kn(c)ocklink easier
Ns04
Windows down the rest of the time. There are a number of benefits to doing this:
1) More burble
2) More burble
3) Can put my arm out of the window like the aspiring Essex lad I am
4) Can *ahem* "Holla" at the laydees
5) They can see my Kn(c)ocklink easier
Ns04
13 July 2006, 01:25 PM
#27
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Half way up
Posts: 4,791
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless it's really hot and I'm stuck/crawling along in traffic I try not to use AC. It is very effective at cooling the cabin, but as said, the car drives like a diesel running on petrol, especially at low speed/rpm..
When I have used it (and just lately it's been used a lot) MPG appears unchanged.
When I have used it (and just lately it's been used a lot) MPG appears unchanged.
