Your car air conditioner may use some of your car’s power derived from gas and so it makes you spend more on gas. However in long term drives your air conditioner may in fact save you money on gas. How this can be possible?

Imagine that the temperature is high and you need to go for a long journey. You need to maintain an ideal and comfortable temperature in your car. What is the best option for you? You may have three main options:

Option A: In order to save the gas used by the air conditioner you leave it off and instead open the car’s windows so fresh air can enter in your car as you drive.

Option B: You close your car’s windows and put the air conditioner on.

Option C: Close the windows and still keep the air conditioner off.

If you do not want to risk dehydration and faint when driving you can easily get rid of option C.

Now considering the other options. At first sight it seems that option A seems to be more plausible. After all it is the air conditioner that is burning more gas. But is it really the most effective way to go? No it is not.

Ever had that annoying buzz in the car when you are traveling at 60mph or more? It is the windows rolled down that are letting air into the car and it is slapping your rear windscreen constantly. That trapped air is trying to get out so more can come in. this is the intruder you do not want at high speeds.

This situation will create drag where your engine has to work harder to keep a certain speed. Hence the engine burns more gas than in the case where your air conditioner is on and the windows are shut.

When you are going at a high speed, especially when on long trips, keep the windows rolled up. Even if you do need the fan or the air conditioner turned on to maintain the ideal atmosphere within the car. It is worth the expenditure because the drag otherwise is going to act against you in your saving attempts.

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