Quick Summary
Today we address the age old-question when it comes to summer driving: Windows down and wind in your hair or windows up with the AC on full blast? The answer just might surprise you.
Cruising on a hot summer day with the air conditioner blasting, you glance at the gas gauge and see it's nearly half empty. The culprit? Surely it's the AC. Turning it off and rolling down the windows seems like the obvious solution, but is it? Let’s use eLibrary Minnesota to find the quickest route to optimal gas mileage.
High temperatures and even higher gas prices leave many drivers looking for ways to be efficient and save. But is it really better to drive with the windows down, or should you just keep your A/C on? The answer is: it depends. Now before you groan in disappointment, hear me out. “Using Air Conditioning on the Highway More Fuel Efficient” by Road and Travel magazine explains the situation. In stop-and-go traffic, it is more efficient to drive with your windows down, because there’s little to no drag to worry about. But when you speed up, like when you get on the highway, driving with your windows up and the A/C streamlines your ride and saves fuel. This article also outlines other tips to maximize your mileage and preserve your car, such as making sure your tires are aligned, and getting rid of unnecessary weight in the trunk. Read the whole article to learn more about how to make your vehicle fuel efficient this summer.
The reasoning behind car myths often seems sound, but further investigation shows the facts aren’t there to back them up. Ebony Magazine’s “Fill 'er UP!” concurs that driving with the A/C on does burn more gas, but putting the windows down also decreases gas mileage due to wind resistance. The article also explores the notion that pumping gas in the morning helps you sneak a couple extra ounces into your tank due to the higher density of gas molecules in colder morning temperatures. The science behind this concept does hold some truth, but the gas you’re pumping is held in underground tanks that maintain a consistent temperature. Those early morning gas station trips might just be costing you sleep.
There will always be car hacks that don’t deliver on their promise, but that won’t stop us from trying them out. Just remember to refer to a high-quality source of information, like eLibrary Minnesota, before you go too far. And this summer, let’s crank the A/C and sleep in!
