- #227 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [backy]
by lhanson
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Jun 08, 2007 (8:12 am)
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Replying to: backy (Jun 07, 2007 2:09 pm)
I am the same way and I live in Mississippi where it's in the 90's from May to October, but A/C is still a necessity if I ever want my wife to ride in the car. I also use it when I am bringing ice cream home from Aldi's. My parents lived in Rochester, Minnesota until they retired and then moved to Mesa, Arizona for 10 years before returning to Rochester for health reasons. At any rate, they took their Chysler Newport without A/C out with them and used it as their only vehicle for the whole 10 years in Arizona. That's what I call depression era toughness.
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- #228 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [lhanson]
by bobw3
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Jun 08, 2007 (8:36 am)
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Replying to: lhanson (Jun 08, 2007 8:12 am)
And if you do a lot of highway driving, you'll get better MPG by using the AC versus opening windows because of the reduced wind resistence.
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- #229 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [bobw3]
by backy
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Jun 08, 2007 (8:51 am)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jun 08, 2007 8:36 am)
Perhaps not if you just pop the moonroof (tilt up) if so equipped, and maybe also open the side windows a crack.
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- #230 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [bobw3]
by lhanson
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Jun 08, 2007 (12:35 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jun 08, 2007 8:36 am)
What would you say is the break even speed for windows down versus using A/C?
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- #231 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [lhanson]
by thegraduate
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Jun 08, 2007 (12:37 pm)
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Replying to: lhanson (Jun 08, 2007 12:35 pm)
That's something that will change with every car, but it seems like I've heard anywhere from 50 MPH to 65 MPH. Above that, use the A/C.
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- #232 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [bobw3]
by snakeweasel
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Jun 08, 2007 (2:11 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jun 08, 2007 8:36 am)
I would hazard to say that was not the case with any car I have had.
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- #233 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [snakeweasel]
by bobw3
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Jun 08, 2007 (6:31 pm)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Jun 08, 2007 2:11 pm)
Why do you say that?
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- #234 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [bobw3]
by snakeweasel
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Jun 08, 2007 (9:04 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jun 08, 2007 6:31 pm)
Because every car I have had has gotten better gas mileage with the windows down and the A/C off than the windows up with the A/C on.
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- #235 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [snakeweasel]
by bobw3
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Jun 09, 2007 (5:13 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Jun 08, 2007 9:04 pm)
So you've actually calculated your highway MPG with and without windows open and with and without the AC on. What was the difference in MPGs based on your calculations?
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- #236 of 239
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Re: Not comparable [bobw3]
by snakeweasel
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Jun 09, 2007 (5:41 am)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Jun 09, 2007 5:13 am)
I have friends who live in downstate IL (I live near Chicago) so going to see them I usually drive most of the trip on the Interstate. Usually going there in the heat of the day I would drive with the A/C on but coming home well after dark I would drive with the windows open in the cool of the night. At times I would test this theory by filling it up at each end and checking the mileage. IIRC it was slightly more than 1 MPG difference.
Now my dad lived out of state (about 450 miles away) and I had a car that if I drove windows open I could make the trip in one tankfull. But with the A/C on I would have to stop for gas maybe 10-15 miles sooner.
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