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Timm Lorenz
Unregistered
4/10/2001
15:46:37
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 Subject: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
I had heard somewhere that if your driving in the city it wastes gas to have the air conditioning on, but your better off using A/C instead of windows down when on the highway or going fast.
Does anyone know if this is true?
just curious
Timm
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CyberWolf
GenIII
4/10/2001
16:29:22
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
Yes, sort of. The old R12 compressors would rob your engine of around 13 hp. The new R134a compressors only rob your engine of up to 4 hp. Your compressor always has the belt rotating the pulley but there is no load on it until you turn on your A/C. When you turn on your A/C you engage a clutch on the compressor pulley that puts a small load on your engine. As I said before, the old compressors put quite a load on your engine but the new R134a compressors put very little load on your engine now days. It doesn't hurt your gas mileage anywhere near as bad as they used to. Maybe 1 mpg if the A/C is running effeciently. Also, many people may not know this but, there is less load on your engine when your A/C is on MAX than any other setting. As far as highhway goes, when your windows are down you are creating a lot of drag. Drag can effect you mpg more than using your A/C especialy with a R134a system. In short, turn the A/C on max, roll the windows up and enjoy the cold air. (except when racing)
TACLB019231E <-- my A/C license number
'01 4.7 CC, 2wd, 5 speed, Sport plus, 3.92 limited slip, Intense
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Timm Lorenz
Unregistered
4/10/2001
22:13:12
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
Thanks for your reply I had a bet with my mom and you just proved me right!
Thanks for your help
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Nick
*GenIII*
4/11/2001
01:26:01
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
To prove it, get in a manual and and you will notice how much more gas you need to make her move in 1st gear.
More so on my Dad's cherokee, then the dakota though.
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2-V-8
Duel Exhaust, Growler Mufflers
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Bernd
GenIII
4/11/2001
10:23:14
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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On the V6's, the A/C uses 10RWHP. And yes...they will reduce mileage a little bit.
Bernd D. Ratsch
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT
Supercharged w/Nitrous
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gregthebus
GenI
4/11/2001
10:42:11
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
another little known fact is that during the winter when you turn on your defroster for your windows it also runs your air conditioner system. This circulates the fluids in your A/C system and and helps the seals not to dry out. This will also rob your gass milage slightly.....
2001 Garnet QC V8 2WD and lovin it!
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Bernd
GenIII
4/11/2001
11:04:40
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
Yuppers. But it cycles it...doesn't use it all the time.
Bernd D. Ratsch
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT
Supercharged w/Nitrous
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Christina
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
09:15:48
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
I watched a show called mythbusters and I swear that they proved that when you ran your a/c in your vehicle, it didn't use up gas. Now I am reading these feedbacks from others and they say that it only uses 1mpg. What is the actual truth on this topic and where can I find proof of it to show someone who don;t believe it?
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Christina
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
09:24:40
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
I watched a show called mythbusters and I swear that they proved that when you ran your a/c in your vehicle, it didn't use up gas. Now I am reading these feedbacks from others and they say that it only uses 1mpg. What is the actual truth on this topic and where can I find proof of it to show someone who don;t believe it?
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shadetree
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
09:48:22
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
I was always told that if you were traveling at 55 or less you should just put the windows down because even with the drag created it was still less fuel usage than running the air conditioning. However, when traveling above 55 the drag increases and will cause the vehicle to use more fuel than running the ac. However yes the ac will cause you to use more fuel because it add drag to the engine.
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little jer
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
10:50:02
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
AC doesn't us up much more gas than having wide tires on your truck or having big off road tires. The more rubber on the road the more the coefficient of friction goes up. And friction means drag. Drag means less mileage. And with gas going up to maybe $4 a gallon this sumer, you don't need drag. Trucks aren't known for good mileage so anything you can do to increase mileage is good. Smaller tires, tailgate down, and keeping your foot off the gas will help.
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PETE
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
15:34:52
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
NO!! got same mileage with A/C or defrost on mythbusters is right windows down will give you drag but not drastically in my eyes. I would just say keep your foot out gas pedal if you dont need it LOL...
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2007
18:03:12
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
Windows down does create drag but how much it reduces your gas mileage can vary greatly from one vehicle to another. That's why it is pointless to tell anyone how much it will change your gas mileage. How it affects your particular vehicle can easily be determined by keeping tract of your own gas mileage.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/03/2007
10:41:49
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
I remember the Mythbusters episode. Not a very good test. If you remember, they did the test at a small local race track. Speed was held at 50mph. Conclusion was the A/C didn't matter very much. There was a slight decrease in mileage, but not a whole lot.
However, at that slow a speed, aerodynamics don't really come in to play. And most vehicles are at their most efficicent around that speed.
IMO, not a valid conclusion.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/03/2007
14:15:25
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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N56629 nailed it 100%. Depends on your particular aero numbers, some vehicles the windows open are like dragging a parachute. Other no noticeable change with the windows down.
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Hollis
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/06/2007
20:36:29
| RE: does A/C use up gas?
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Message:
Having the tailgate down has been proven to increase aerodynamic drag. The bed of a pickup creates a "pocket" or "bubble" of air that allows air to move over it with less resistance, thus reducing drag. With the tailgate down, the "pocket" of air is ruptured, creating turbulence that interacts with the air moving over the bed and increasing the drag coeffecient.
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