There has long been the debate on whether a person should use their air conditioner or roll down their windows to save gas. Both of these methods are rooted in facts, but the advantage of each method depends on the situation. This has been debated for so long that automotive engineers have put both methods to the test to see which truly lowers gas consumption.
Driving on Highways
If a person is taking their car on the highway, there are factors that need to be considered before deciding between rolling down the windows and using the air conditioner. If the vehicle is traveling at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more, then they should turn on their air conditioner to save on gas. This was confirmed when automotive engineers took the time to test out both methods and came to this conclusion. The drag created by the high speeds causes the engine to work harder to stay at its current speed. This results in more gas consumption and less fuel efficiency.
Driving at Low Speeds
Any speed less than 40 miles per hour is the optimum time to roll down the windows. There will be very little drag on the vehicle and this takes more of the workload off of the engine. The amount of fuel consumed by the air conditioner will have little to do with what temperature it is outside. Whether it is a 95 or 75 degree day, the air conditioner works at the same rate to keep the car cool.
Other Methods to Save Gas
There are a variety of other ways that people can save money on the trips they make every day. One is to keep tires properly inflated. Checking tires regularly for proper inflation can save a person up to 3.3 percent on gas mileage. While this may not seem like much in the short-term, it can equal hundreds over years. Even tires that are slightly underinflated can result in lost miles per gallon.
There is also the issue of what motor oil people place in their car. It is often easy to trust the person changing the oil to know exactly what oil will work best in the engine. The sheer volume of vehicles these employees see every day means they probably aren’t experts on every model. It is best to read the owner’s manual for the car to see which grade of motor oil is best for the car. This can increase gas mileage and can save from 4 to 8 cents a gallon.
As gas prices rise, people often wish to know how they can save money at the gas pump. What many do not realize is that they are the main factor when it comes to the gas mileage their car gets. By following the guidelines set out in many owner’s manuals, people can save vast amounts of money on fuel. While each method may not seem to save considerable amounts of money, each small factor ends up equaling 10 to 15 cents per gallon when combined. This is a price reduction many people would willingly take if they knew how easy it was to make it a reality.
Jennifer Carrigan tries to save money no matter what the endeavor. For people discussing the difference between ISAs and cash ISAs, there are more guides here.