wanna save money on gas?

[acroyear]

Stop using your car air conditioner when its nice outside.  ESPECIALLY this coming weekend.

(and this coming from a total a/c snob)

Comments

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

According to the straight dope, the difference between AC and windows may be negligible, but seems dependent on type of car and driving conditions. More specifically, if you have an aerodynamic car with large engine, you'll probably notice less consumption by the AC. A boxy car with small engine may notice a huge loss of MPG due to AC.

Of course, you could leave the AC off and the windows up, and cool off with a slurpee instead!

guess what

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

I have a CRV, practically the definition of "boxy car with small engine" (relative to its size).

i know what my mpg is when i use the a/c (300 miles / 13.5 gallons and its fill-up time), so this week i see how many more miles i get before i have to fill it. (granted, this week's not a completely variable-free test given that i already had 70 miles into this tank before i made the decision).