Comments stargazerjim has made

Intermediate Physics . . .

The open window vs. AC feud has been going on since the wagon trains hit Oklahoma. In short, which is worse, the turbulence created by opening the window or the increased loading on the engine from the AC?

Most research seem to side with the AC being the lesser of two evils, but wait, there's more! As car have dramatically improved aerodynamically, opening the window can have a more profound effect, and the increased efficiency of the engines and AC units have also tipped the formula.

Our old '57 Chevys may be high in nostalgia, but they are a real drag, in a air resistance way. My Camry may lack drama, but it's slippery.

My solution? Around town, open the window to get what passes for fresh air these days. Hit the Highway? Go with the AC.

Bottom line: the color of your car has more effect than the above argument anyway. White cars are many degrees cooler than black ones. Heat in the winter is essentially free, from a gasoline mileage standpoint, so it doesn't matter. But in the summer, the AC is going to go into overdrive trying to cool off a dark colored car. So buy a light colored car, wear light clothing, and take the bus!On Umbra on cruise control posted 1 year, 2 months ago 8 Responses