Does running your air conditioner in your car take extra gas?

by Kirk Mason (mason@wsbt.com)

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AAA says driving with your air conditioner on gets you better gas mileage than driving with your windows down

AAA says driving with your air conditioner on gets you better gas mileage than driving with your windows down. (WSBT photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

We're expecting temperatures in the 90's later this week and that could present a dilemma for drivers looking to save on gas.

Kevin from South Bend wants to know, “Does running your air conditioner in your car take extra gas? If so, about how much?”

Gas prices are high, that's no secret. And some drivers are taking steps to try and cut down on how much gas they use.

“I try to fill up just $20 at a time," one driver told WSBT News. "It doesn't do anything but it makes me feel better!"

“I don't want to waste so I'm a little more careful about doing several errands at once rather than taking off whenever the spirit moves me," said another driver.

“I’m not going to see my son in North Carolina. I’m not going to see my daughter in Seattle … [I] call them up on the phone," another driver said.

Later this week when the sun is beating down to the tune of 90 degrees, your thoughts will also turn to staying cool.

Believe it or not, according to AAA, the best way to stay cool and get the best gas mileage is to use the air conditioner. AAA says rolling down your windows hurts a car's aerodynamics. It's like driving into a head wind. AAA has no numbers on exactly how much you save, but many other experts also believe this to be the case.

However, it's important to note that not running the air conditioner would also help. An air conditioner draws power from your engine which uses gas. But there are no firm numbers on exactly how much gas it uses. And in 90+ degree heat, keeping your A/C off is not a safe solution.

One way to save gas is to drive at night when it's cooler.

In that case you may be able to keep your windows rolled up and the air conditioner off.

Saturday, Aug 30 at 10:15 AM Auto Tech wrote ...

I was an ASE certified technician for 15 years on engine drivability and performace. This article is about as true as it gets. Usually when a car doesn't get good mileage with the AC on is usually when you have something else wrong. Keep your cars in tune BY A PROFESIONAL and keep the tire inflated properly and you'll get the best mileage.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 1:46 PM Brutus wrote ...

Mythbusters did an episode on this awhile back and they found the same as this article - using AC was about the same as driving with the windows down. It was not an extensive study, but it was enough to show that its pretty much the same. The type of car and type of driving your are doing will also make a difference. If you are cruising on the highway then its not as much of a drag as if you are driving in stop and go traffic where your engine is idling most of the time.

Monday, Jun 30 at 2:16 PM Once again wrote ...

Once again some expert says what any of us who have done our own research knows is false. I've driven the same distance with & without the AC running & I'll tell you that I can nearly see the stick moving down when the AC is running. In two years they'll have a new study, completed by some fricking genius, that says what us common folks knew all along.

Monday, Jun 30 at 1:50 PM Garry - Pokagon wrote ...

I agree with L!!!

Monday, Jun 30 at 10:09 AM L wrote ...

The hotter the weather the more work the AC has to do to keep the car cool. Hence the more energy the engine has to create to power both the car and the AC. The AC is a big draw on the engine. I can't believe there is no hard data for this. It is true that having your windows up is more aerodynamic. But the trade off in mileage is not equal when running the AC. It is common sense. Watch you gas gage and do the math when you fill up.

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