using ac or windows down on freeway?

So rumor says vehicles use more gas to have Windows down on freeway due to the extra drag. I'm wondering if anybody with scanguage can confirm if it trully uses more gas then running the AC? Thanks

 

Yeah I know that one. I don't buy it.

 

I guess there is a bigtime difference between one driver window cracked half way and both windows all the way down.

 

I say 'who cares!?' I drive with all the windows down, all the time, on the highway and off; even during the winter when the temp permits

 

Windows down and music blaring FTW.

Fink

 

i like to hear my music too so i just crank it up a few notches

 

Windows DOWN--music UP--Better MPG with AC--is a MYTH

 

On my buddys e36 it has a live mpg needle, doing 75-80 it reads 18-19 with the windows down, with the windows up it reads 23-24. and 21-22 with ac on.

 

I rarely use a/c, Usually windows down or cracked and/or vent open.

 

obviously a myth

 

Also if you have scanguage please post the mpg for both

 

i like your style >

 

I have the headbanger smilie in all my posts for a reason.

Fink

 

Mythbusters, a teevee show, did an experiment to see what uses more gasoline. I believe they found it doesn't matter but YMMV.

 

I saw this on mythbusters, and from what I remember if you are going over 40 (obviously you are on a freeway) you save gas using the a/c

 

I just googled the episode and your right they did find that windows up & a/c gave better fuel economy per the computers but when they actually ran the cars on 5 gallons of fuel, the windows down & a/c off ran farther than the a/c. I think the right foot has more to do with it than anything else.

 

I think this is the answer!
I run windows up and A/C on...... and get over 20 consistantly in the summer. My winter mileage is what goes down.