Which gives better fuel efficiency...

Factual Questions
1

… driving using the air-con, or driving with my car windows open?

I have a small car (998cc Nissan Micra), so using the air-conitioning causes a very noticable increase in the rate of fuel consumption.

However, driving with the windows open surely messes up any aerodynamics my car has, and that too should increase fuel consumption.

Any ideas which method is more economic? I guess it depends a lot on how fast I’m going?

Thanks,

– e-logic

2

Cecil wrote a column on this, and I think it’s in one of his books. I know for a fact I’ve read it online, but just can’t find it in the archive. If I recall, he said he actually tried it one day on a drive, and figured that there was no noticable difference in fuel efficiency with the windows up or down. I’ll keep searching the archives for you though.

3

Well this site disagrees with what I just said, saying:

Still can’t find Cecil’s report :frowning:

4

Here you go Bob55 (I searched for “windows up”):
What gets the better gas mileage: windows up, AC on, or windows down, AC off?

5

Thanks lads - much appreciated :slight_smile: