I know a few people who will win their windows down on stinking hot days instead of running the A/C to save money. On of them drives an AU. In our VS Grange, the trip computer is able to display other information that doesnt usually show up unless you hold the "Set" button in while you start the engine. This then displays km/h digitally (which, for some reason is 4km/h faster than the analog speedo) and also consumption in Liters per hour (which would be a more true way of measuring how much fuel was groing through the engine at one instance. Idling, it will show about 2.2-2.5L/h I decided to do the experiment of seeing how much more using the A/C used. At the time it was displaying 2.5L/h without the A/C and 2.6L/h with it on (thats 100ml per hour more, or 8.5c) Hardly worth boiling over?
I'm not really so worried about the fuel consumption as the loss of power and the noticeable change this causes in the behaviour of the auto gearbox. My dad's AU forte is a lot more reluctant to kick down when the air conditioning is on, this has caused a couple of problems before so I generally dont use the air conditioning at all. The boss's VY SS doesn't change behaviour with the air con on or off, but then again the auto in that is a pain in the ass anyway.
The amount of fuel difference is so little it's not worth worrying about if you've spent so much money to get air why waste it by not using it. As for power I notice it on big hills in my Laser but in larger cars it doesn't make a huge difference & it's not like your racing so who cars about the at most several kw it uses
This then displays km/h digitally (which, for some reason is 4km/h faster than the analog speedo)
I know that Ford use a 3 km/h difference (e.g. every new Ford car is actually traveling 3km/h slower than it's claiming it is). I can't remember the reason, but there is one - I read about it once before.
if i had AC i'd be using like i do water(qld heat sux) but yeah the consuption is little,so not worth worrying about.
i love the old style of all windows down thats free and doesnt cost ya*winks*
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Not sure of exact figures but it is more economical driving with aircon on than it is to drive at 60kph or greater and have both front windows down........
Not sure of exact figures but it is more economical driving with aircon on than it is to drive at 60kph or greater and have both front windows down........
Does that take into account ya granda ma and possie in the car?
Well I'm one of those non air con users.
I notice the few killerwat's not their and I want them back.
Also just because your car's air con doesn't make much differance doesn't account for every other car.
I notice much more fuel usage in the EB with the air con on so I turn it off and wind down the window.
BTW winding the windows down is only going to effect your drag co at about 90kph.
Admittantly the figure may be lower if both windows are down due to the cross flow effect.
Another reason I leave it off is because I prefer to get used to the weather around me rather than constantly change from hot to cold. Makes me sweat a lot more and it lowers your ability to cope.
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