munchini

I've been hearing a long time that if you use your car's air conditioner, your engine would have to work harder and thus increase the rate in which your gas will be used up - And with the rising gas prices not going down any time soon i was wondering if using the A/C really does use gas (in general and if anyone knows, if it affects my car (89 camry) )

thanks in advance!

DEI37

Yes. Especially around town. On the highway, it isn't quite so bad, but it can still be a 1-3mpg hit. The city cycle takes a bigger hit, maybe 2-5mpg depending on what you drive, and how.

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Ramega

FWIW, my college physics instructor said that driving most cars with all the windows down (on the highway) eats about the same amount of gas as using the A/C. So you might as well be comfortable on those long trips (and be able to hear the radio).

madsenj37

My driving instructor said almost the same thing, except that having the windows down could actually cause worse mileage than max a/c (keyword is could, not will).

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qtpye4u84

yes, it makes it harder and it lowers your mpg.

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Cynthetiq

can't you tell when you are going up a hill with the AC on and you turn it off it's like boost!

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Scorps

Thats why I never have A/C on my any of my cars, no need for it, thats why your car has windows that roll down!

pocon1

Pain train, you live in Ontario. I live near the armpit of America, known as washington DC. Last year we had many days with heat over 90 deg. f. with humidity over 90%. This started in May of last year. I have one car that does not have ac, and you stick to the seats. Click and Clack also say that windows down is about the same as the ac on.

Peryn

Windows rolling down is ok, but when its 105 in the shade (as it looks like it will be again today), its like driving in a blast furnace. Its almost colder letting the inside of the car heat up than rolling down the windows and forcing the heat in.

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kazoo

Here I was, wondering from the thread title if the OP wanted to know the efficacy of A/C when a trouser growl had been let.

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Vaultboy

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