Summertime Driving: AC or Windows Down?

After your car has been sitting in the sun for a few hours, the interior skyrockets to boiling hot temperatures. So what’s the best way to cool it off?

Some people swear that air conditioners use up gas and make your car less efficient. Others claim that driving with your windows down adds friction and slows you down. So, which is more efficient - windows down or AC on?

Windows down or AC - which is more efficient?

Answer: it depends. Your AC does use gas, but this is more of an issue in older cars. The AC units in new cars are way more efficient than old models, so they have less impact on your fuel usage.

Of course, having your windows down uses no fuel at all. But the friction caused by open windows is no myth. As you reach higher speeds, the added drag can cancel out the fuel-saving benefits of switching the AC off.

Windows down or AC - which is more fun?

But having the windows up or down isn’t just about fuel savings. Most people prefer one over the other depending on the type of summer driver they are. Maybe you just can’t bear the heat and have to have the AC blasting at all times. Or maybe you can’t get enough of summer and want to breathe fresh air as much as possible.

We asked our Facebook followers how they like to stay cool in their cars. Here are some of the fun answers they gave.

• I like to cruise with the windows down and the wind in my hair. - MHC
• I like to have the sunroof open and windows down so I can enjoy the air flowing through the vehicle. -TR
• I always drive with the windows up in order to reduce the coefficient of friction. Anything to improve acceleration! -JS
• I like to crank up the A/C and stay cool and comfortable. -MS
• I have the air on and the windows down, haha! -DSL
• A/C goes on in March some years! Love that cold air on the face! -JCS
• Windows down, crank the tunes. It is summer, and I’m tired of being cooped up! -MKN
• Both. If the weather is comfortable, it's windows down! If it's really hot and humid, it's crank up the AC and be comfortable! -CH
• AC 99% of the time. -JE
• My motorcycle doesn't have A/C or Windows. -ML
• Windows down, moonroof open all summer! Have to enjoy the heat while we have it! -HA

Even Michelle Obama has an opinion. On an interview for the Ellen Show, she said she looks forward to driving with the windows down once her time in the White House is over.

So, which is better - AC or windows down? Whichever makes your summer travels the most comfortable and fun! And you can take even better care of your car this summer with our post “How to Protect Your Car from Sun Damage [INFOGRAPHIC].”

Image by neekoh.fi via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0.