Joe Duck

Have Blog. Will Travel.

A/C does not reduce gas mileage? Cool!

Don’t know how I missed this before but I’ve been assuming that having my A/C on was reducing my gas mileage.    Edmonds tested this  in Dec 2005 and Consumer Reports recently and both concluded that the A/C does not appreciably affect mileage.

Here are some other items from the Edmonds study about fuel economy.


July 29, 2007 - Posted by JoeDuck | Science & Technology, travel

4 Comments »

  1. Actually, its air-conditioning off AND windows closed that will save gasoline. Add driving barefoot (at least on the accelerator) and you get further gas savings. Ofcourse you also have an unpleasant drive and get dehydrated.

    Professional drivers in the old Mobilgas Economy Run would do this and obtain ridiculous gas milage figures that no ordinary driver would ever achieve but it was great for the advertisements.

    Can’t afford to drive? Stay home and play poker until you have won enough to afford it but when you drive, drive comfortably!

    Comment by FoolsGold | July 29, 2007 | Reply

  2. Interesting FG – I was wondering if the Windows open increased the drag and thus increased energy used about as much as the A/C increased energy use – your note suggests yes and that makes some sense.

    Comment by JoeDuck | July 29, 2007 | Reply

  3. Simple DO The Test!

    GasDandy is an easy-to-use tool that tracks a vehicle’s mileage and maintenance information, providing data that can be used for both business and personal purposes. By making these figures readily available, the program also gives the consumer the opportunity to save money and to proactively identify problems that can shorten the life of their vehicle(s). Download a free trial version of GasDandy today at http://www.gasdandy.com

    Comment by Dandy | August 17, 2007 | Reply

  4. feel you r right

    it might affect on mileage but it will be marginal

    Comment by mitesh | August 17, 2007 | Reply


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