Driving in the heat: windows open or air-con on?

[Bozza]

For years my default driving ventilation option has been windows closed/air-con on. It's just what I've done.

The little lad has recently asked for his window open and as the whole world knows that air-con is all but useless if a window is even only partially open, the air-con has been turned off and the all the car windows fully open.

And, by jimminy, what a delight it is - I'd completely forgotten. Even after he's been dropped off at nursery the air-con has remained off and the windows open.

What do you do?

 

[Titanic]

Driving through France recently, and in the last few days here in the UK... roof down, air-con full blast on the feet!

 

[Acker79]

Car air conditioning usually makes me sick, especially in hot weather, so windows open. If the windows are open it's a waste to have the air con on, so turn it off.

 

[MattBackHome]

Windows open, elbow out, tunes BLASTING.

 

[Stat Brother]

I've very recently done the reverse and have converted to air/con.

Partly due to mine and Lil Miss Stat's hayfever, and partly due to clear the oppressive heat from inside the car quicker.

T'is a shame the petrol gauge is less happy.

 

[willyfantastic]

air con for the first few minutes to get rid of that built-up heat. then the windows come down and my hair turns into wacky inflatable arm waving tube man

 

[beorhthelm]

aircon is best where you are static or the surrounding air is dirty, otherwise window down for fresh air is prefered.

 

[ali jenkins]

If driving out of town it is economically better to have the air con ON. In town driving its better to have it OFF.

 

[fruitnveg]

Windows open, elbow out, tunes BLASTING.

Not empty quoting.

 

[The Buttery Biscuit Base]

Depends on how fast you're travelling and if you're stopping regularly.

 

[nail-Z]

Driving through France recently, and in the last few days here in the UK... roof down, air-con full blast on the feet!

This is the right answer...

 

[JJ McClure]

Both have an impact on MPG although I've never been sure which is worse. I tend to go for the window down one tanned arm approach.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

anyone got the stats for MPG

I generally only use the air con on the autoroute?

 

[Cappers]

A23 = Air con
Town driving = Windows open

 

[skipper734]

Driving with windows down and no a/c or air-con on and windows up, must cost about the same in energy used. Last week I drove back from Sheffield Uni. with Jnr. Skipper with air-con all the way, lovely. As we cruised down the outside lane overtaking people in imitation convertibles with all their windows open, their comb-overs waving over the faces, I thought, this is the life. ( I should point out that this is the first car with air-con I've possessed!)

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

Got two cars, one's a convertible, so best of both worlds.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Where's the roof down/factor 30 option?

 

[KZNSeagull]

Windows open. Very rarely use air-con.

 

[Postman Pat]

anyone got the stats for MPG

I generally only use the air con on the autoroute?

Here is a study I found via Google:

Windows up, AC off: 35 MPG
Windows up, AC on: 34.4 MPG
Windows down (all four), AC off: 33.8 MPG

Obviously it will all depend on the car and the journey.

 

[m20gull]

Me - aircon
Wife - windows open

So depends who is driving.