Which is more gas/cost efficient?

[HappyCamperToo]

Driving with the air conditioning on, or the windows down?

 

[mathgeek]

On the show MythBusters on the Discovery channel they found that going less than 50 mph it is more efficient to leave the windows down, but going greater than 50 mph it is more efficient to use the A/C.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I knew someone would know! Thanks!

 

[Principessa1284]

In this heat? I vote AC on. Less complaing that way. In my head, having it on low is better than having all the windows down and creating more wind resistance. But I don't like when it's hot. lol.

 

[dj2]

On the show MythBusters on the Discovery channel they found that going less than 50 mph it is more efficient to leave the windows down, but going greater than 50 mph it is more efficient to use the A/C.

did they say if the difference in efficiency was major or mnor?

 

[cranbiz]

The actual tests that were done was to fill 2 identical cars with the same amount of fuel and drive until empty.

The 50mph and under test, the AC car ran out of gas first and I forget how many mile more the non AC car went, in the over 50mph test, the AC car went about 50 miles more than the non AC car.

 

[loveswdw]

On the show MythBusters on the Discovery channel they found that going less than 50 mph it is more efficient to leave the windows down, but going greater than 50 mph it is more efficient to use the A/C.

Don't ya just LOVE that show!!

 

[bicker]

It makes sense that wind resistence isn't a major consideration at lower speeds, but is at higher speeds.