Leaving the car windows open while driving creates a drag that increases fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent. (Department of Minerals and Energy website)
This week’s theme: Energy conservation
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This is interesting, it must be difficult to calculate that unless it is on a controlled environment. I wonder how they use the same conditions to check, I will just have to accept that they did check.
Mythbusters did an episode to test whether it’s more fuel efficient to use your air conditioning or have your windows down. They found that if you are driving under 80km/h then it’s better to have the windows down. If you are going faster than that it’s better to use your aircon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2005_season)#AC_vs._Windows_Down
That may be true, but it doesn’t take into account one’s comfort levels. I’d rather travel at 70km/h with the aircon on and the windows down, use a little more fuel but be much more comfy. The fuel-efficiency/comfort trade-off also needs to made. Windows-down and aircon are not perfect substitutes.
The fact is that, at speeds below 80kph, wind resistance and wind drag do not have a significant effect on the performance of most vehicles. However, as speeds increase above 80kph, the drag factor becomes a significant contributor to increased fuel consumption; this making the use of the air-conditioner a far more comfortable and cost-worthy option. It also reduces the risk of being punished by angry road-crossing, African, killer-bees. Here I speak from painful, personal experience. Keeping your cool from behind closed doors and windows is always the better option. Either way, the added cost of traveling in cool comfort anywhere in Africa is always a well-worthy investment!