Does A/C waste gas
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
The Short Answer is YES. BUT....... Several test have been done that prove the following:
Running the A/C cause a small load to be placed on the engine requiring more fuel to maintain the same speed.
Driving with your windows down creates a LARGE wind drag on your vehicle, placing a substantial load on the engine requiring even more gas to maintain the same speed.
Conclusion: Driving and maintaining the same speed while running the A/C with windows up uses less gas than maintaining the same speed with the windows down.
Once a vehicle is moving, over 60% on the energy required to maintain a given speed is used to over come wind resistance (unloaded and on a level road).
Running the A/C cause a small load to be placed on the engine requiring more fuel to maintain the same speed.
Driving with your windows down creates a LARGE wind drag on your vehicle, placing a substantial load on the engine requiring even more gas to maintain the same speed.
Conclusion: Driving and maintaining the same speed while running the A/C with windows up uses less gas than maintaining the same speed with the windows down.
Once a vehicle is moving, over 60% on the energy required to maintain a given speed is used to over come wind resistance (unloaded and on a level road).
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
[QUOTE= Of course driving a Bronco your probably better off counting gallons to the mile anways.[/QUOTE]
Hey, I resent that comment. I'll have you know that I can get 8 mpg if I drive it nicely (over bored heavily modified 460, 750cfm duel line double pump carb. etc.). BUT....If I stomp on it and smoke the tires off I can watch the gas hand drop 1/4 tank in 200 yards.
Buts whats a couple of (5-6) gallons per mile in the grand scheme of the universe???
Hey, I resent that comment. I'll have you know that I can get 8 mpg if I drive it nicely (over bored heavily modified 460, 750cfm duel line double pump carb. etc.). BUT....If I stomp on it and smoke the tires off I can watch the gas hand drop 1/4 tank in 200 yards.
Buts whats a couple of (5-6) gallons per mile in the grand scheme of the universe???
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
The tv show Mythbusters used two identical F150s(new) to do this test. The ac off did much better(both trucks had identical test conditions). But real world conditons will vary of course. I know engineers design trucks with the windows up for many reasons and use of ac is expected. You do have a Bronco(so do I)
so great gas mileage is a moot point. I understand that you want good mileage, you are better off making sure you are well tuned up and tires at the correct pressure. Use your ac if really needed, we have Broncos, we could go topless if we really wanted to!
so great gas mileage is a moot point. I understand that you want good mileage, you are better off making sure you are well tuned up and tires at the correct pressure. Use your ac if really needed, we have Broncos, we could go topless if we really wanted to!
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,623
Likes: 5,634
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Originally Posted by khadma
The tv show Mythbusters used two identical F150s(new) to do this test. The ac off did much better(both trucks had identical test conditions).
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
tjc transport,
I might have to reseach my info again. I can't remember now. I'll go to the Discovery site to check it out again.
But ac does draw more power from the engine, we should all keep are FORDS in top running order no matter if we use ac or not.
thanks again for the heads up.
I might have to reseach my info again. I can't remember now. I'll go to the Discovery site to check it out again.
But ac does draw more power from the engine, we should all keep are FORDS in top running order no matter if we use ac or not.
thanks again for the heads up.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,623
Likes: 5,634
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
yea, after i posted that, i went there to double check that i actually had it rite or if you were. but i could not find it.
i know that with my diesel and crown vic, using the ac will give better mileage than using the open windows, with the crown vic getting upwards of 75 miles more per tankful.
i know that with my diesel and crown vic, using the ac will give better mileage than using the open windows, with the crown vic getting upwards of 75 miles more per tankful.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Houston
sounds crazy to me. If I run my AC my Bronco does not have the power/speed it has with the windows down and AC off. That would tell me that the AC works the engine harder. How many of you experiance the same thing? If it works it harder I would think it would use more gas.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
poffutt, I have the same problem. When the ac is on I am shifting from od the third and back much more on the highway. But with the windows down I can actually accelerate my speed in od on the highway.