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09-03-2006, 12:16 AM
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#1 | ||
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B-Series Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Victoria
Posts: 3,658
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Windows down creates more drag on the car, so uses more fuel, yeah?
A/C makes the engine work harder using more fuel, right? Which uses less fuel? Does having the A/C fan at a lower setting use less fuel?
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BF MKII XR6 Turbo 2007 (Flare) ZF Auto 380rwkw - 11.68 @ 120.94mph 60ft=1.97 Custom Tune, Exhaust. injectors.1.2K Plazmaman 1.2K Plenum kit Now with bigger turbo and 426rwkw. |
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09-03-2006, 12:36 AM
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Moderator
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,403
 
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I don't care ... I go for comfort.
There have been numerous tests on this ... it depends on the heat of the day ... speed travelled ... distance travelled ... wind direction ... engine RPM ... Fan speed ... if A/C was running at optimal temps and if it was on MAX or not. Seriously ... around town ... there wouldn't be much difference at all ... it comes down to what you are comfortable with. I like to drive with the windows down ... but if it gets a bit too warm ... windows up and A/C on for me.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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09-03-2006, 12:37 AM
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#3 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 954
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they did that one on Mythbusters .............. AC on is way worse.
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Old car 1973 Vivid Blue Pearl XB Coupe Engine Build up and progress thread New Car 2008 FG F6 Ute |
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09-03-2006, 07:13 AM
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#4 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,419
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Quote:
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405rwhp LS1, FG XR6T Ute manual, VE series 2 Omega LPG. |
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09-03-2006, 07:25 AM
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#5 | ||
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The one and only
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Carrum Downs, Victoria
Posts: 9,053
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The difference was very small.
So if ya switch ya AC off to save fuel, you are wasting your time!
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1992 DC LTDHO 360rwkw built by me Tuned by CVE Performance Going of the rails on a crazy train Other cars include Dynamic ED Sprint, Dynamic DL LTD, Sparkling Burgundy DL LTD, Yellow, Red & Blue XB sedan & Black XB Coupe
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09-03-2006, 07:28 AM
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#6 | |||
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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Quote:
Mythbusters should have tryed my XR8 I lose 200 klm off dte when the air con is on when travelling on a hiway ,but comfort is the go so I like to keep mine on even if the windows down a bit |
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09-03-2006, 08:52 AM
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#7 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 954
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Quote:
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Old car 1973 Vivid Blue Pearl XB Coupe Engine Build up and progress thread New Car 2008 FG F6 Ute |
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09-03-2006, 09:52 AM
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#8 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,419
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Quote:
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405rwhp LS1, FG XR6T Ute manual, VE series 2 Omega LPG. |
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09-03-2006, 12:41 AM
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#9 | ||
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Churches Eat Souls
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 202
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Apparently windows down uses more fuel once you get about 90ish kmph. Anything less and the extra wind resistance is less than the extra strain from the A/C.
If it's not too hot and I'm traveling around 50 or 60 - I'll leave the A/C off and the windows down. Mainly for throttle response reasons though. |
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09-03-2006, 12:45 AM
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#10 | ||
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Kenthurst
Posts: 40,403
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When at WOT though A/C shuts off in Falcons/Territories until throttle response is reduced anyway.
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The Current Stable 2016 SZII TS Territory RWD Petrol The Evolution of the EGA54D utes AU Workshop Build thread of EGA54D B-Series Workshop Build thread of EGA54D 2004 SX TX Territory AWD - Gone but not forgotten 2010 FG XT "The ex-rental" - Moved onto a new home Mechan1k's Flickr Page |
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09-03-2006, 08:50 AM
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#11 | |||
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V8 Rock'n'Roll....
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: You got me Rootin' like a Hog, Barkin' like a Dog, Climbing trees and Jumping logs....
Posts: 1,048
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Quote:
 Seroiusly though, at anything below about 30-32 degrees I usually have the windows down (front 2 only as the booster seat starts to fly around the cabin with all 4 down), love the sound of a V8 under load. Over these temps, or if the missus is on board, A/C is always on.
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1 owner 03 BA XR8 Manual Sedan 208.8 rwkw stock, update soon 20x8.5 fr 20x10 rr Rumble thanks to: Sureflo Exhaust - Stainless Cat's & 3.5in single catback system "Tell 'em the guy with the Blue Mohawk sent Ya" |
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09-03-2006, 12:50 AM
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#12 | ||
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DJR TM#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: on my p.c now with internet! ok i'll still use works internet too.
Posts: 2,248
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I don't care, if it's hot the a/c is on at what ever speed i'm doing. Really with the new cars these days you don't really use all that much more fuel or loose that much power.
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When traveling to V8 Supercar rounds, i book through KYLEE MOLE Travel agents, She Goes, She Goes, She Goes & I just went. Now Zetec Powered. 1.6lt of madness. But the XR8 still remains 
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09-03-2006, 05:05 AM
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#13 | ||
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hunting 300kw's
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bendigo
Posts: 1,371
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i like to drive with my window down around other traffic so i can see better (tinted windows) and so i can hear whats going on around me but the a/c is always on
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09-03-2006, 06:51 AM
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#14 | ||
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Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,750
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Always A/C on, never know the difference in power, and I like to be comfortable...
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09-03-2006, 07:11 AM
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#15 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,419
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they did this on mythbusters and A/C on uses less fuel.
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405rwhp LS1, FG XR6T Ute manual, VE series 2 Omega LPG. |
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09-03-2006, 07:40 AM
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#16 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,974
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My experience is that A/C uses a lot more fuel - dosn't stop me from having it on most of the time though. Although you don't notice the power loss in a car like the Falcon, whenever I borrow my fiances Corolla and you turn the A/C on its like you suddenly pull on the handbrake, very sloooowww.
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1966 Ford Mustang coupe. 347 stroker, PA reverse manual C4, TCE high stall converter, B&M Pro Ratchet, Edelbrock alum heads, Edelbrock intake manifold, MSD ignition, Holley Street HP 750 CFM carb, gilmer drive, wrapped Hooker Super Comp Headers, dual 3" straight through exhaust, Bilstein shocks, custom springs, full poly suspension, American Racing rims, Open Tracker roller spring saddles and shelby drop. Still to go - Holley Sniper EFI with integrated fuel cell. |
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09-03-2006, 07:57 AM
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#17 | ||
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Windsor Man!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Not under the bonnet!
Posts: 2,048
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I honestly think it doesnt matter enough to make someone change their mind. The problem with the mythbuster test was that they had the AC on full blast the whole time, to the point where the dude driving had a massive jacket on. In reality, you would just have it cold enough to be comfy.
My dad did a basic experiment in his AU. on a 300k each way journey, he fueled up, drove there with the windows down, fueled up, drove home with the AC on and then fueled up. It cost him 50 cents more with the windows down. Honestly not enough to matter. I go for whatever is comfy. If you are that worried about fuel consumption, by an Echo.
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Wife's car - BA XT Wagon - Lowm shiney wheels, dark tint, no bottom half of front bar, faded paint :/ My Car - 93 Diesel Lux - not as fast but more reliable than her falcon! |
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09-03-2006, 08:17 AM
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#18 | |||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,974
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Quote:
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1966 Ford Mustang coupe. 347 stroker, PA reverse manual C4, TCE high stall converter, B&M Pro Ratchet, Edelbrock alum heads, Edelbrock intake manifold, MSD ignition, Holley Street HP 750 CFM carb, gilmer drive, wrapped Hooker Super Comp Headers, dual 3" straight through exhaust, Bilstein shocks, custom springs, full poly suspension, American Racing rims, Open Tracker roller spring saddles and shelby drop. Still to go - Holley Sniper EFI with integrated fuel cell. |
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09-03-2006, 08:38 AM
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#19 | |||
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Windsor Man!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Not under the bonnet!
Posts: 2,048
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Quote:
Either way, I still dont think it effects fuel economy enough to worry. Oh, another thing to take into account. One thing I DO know about AC compressors is that they need to be run in order to prevent them from seizing. Not using your AC in winter because it is cold is a bad idea. I often didnt use the AC in my bluebird because I was pretty convinced it drained all 32kw from the bad boy. On a stupidly hot day I put it on full bore and it had seized up from not being used. Since then, I have run mine almost all the time. I often run the AC with the windows down. I especially love doing it when I'm cruising on a cold night. AC on, full heat, pointed at the feet, it's so neat! Sorry, couldn't help rhyming there....  :
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Wife's car - BA XT Wagon - Lowm shiney wheels, dark tint, no bottom half of front bar, faded paint :/ My Car - 93 Diesel Lux - not as fast but more reliable than her falcon! |
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09-03-2006, 08:04 AM
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#20 | ||
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1967 XR Falcon
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: South Coast
Posts: 2,231
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I like having the window down so i can put my arm somewhere, not hanging out like an idiot, just resting it on the sill. Might help if the XF's air conditioning would work too!
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Coflash.com |
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09-03-2006, 10:18 AM
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#21 | ||
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White Lightning
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,870
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yeh i much prefer to put the windows down and listen to my car. plus its only a 6 so AC off is like a turbo boost.
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09-03-2006, 10:39 AM
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#22 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: S.A.
Posts: 4,611
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A few years back I read somewhere that the most efficient combination is;
Under 80 km/h - A/C off windows open Over 80 km/h - A/C on windows closed But A/C systems have become a lot more efficient over the years, so I doubt that anyone would notice huge differences. I have tried both in my Territory; when it was new I could see the difference by way of the trip computer, but with 25,000km on the clock the fuel usage is virtually the same with A/C on or off. MythBusters: Mythbusters Revisited
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The true danger only occurs when you take a potentially dangerous piece of machinery and place it in the hands of the most unpredictable species on the planet. Human behaviour, as history has catalogued, cannot account for what any persons actions may be, especially concerning their love of the motor vehicle. http://www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk |
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09-03-2006, 10:55 AM
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#23 | ||
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FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,301
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I did a very rough comparison a few weeks back. I had a BA Falcon hire car and a 3.5 hour drive across south western Victoria. It was a beautiful afternoon with no wind, no cloud and a lovely 26 degrees. On the flat straight roads to Portland I travelled, I had the driver's window down and noted that the average was 8.4 L/100km over about 10kms. I then wound the window up, turned the a/c on and travelled the next 10km. The average was 8.9L/100km.
I did it again the next day on my return to Geelong, when the temperature was well into the 30's, the window down average was 8.6L/100km and the window up + A/C was 9.1L/100km. Ok, it wasn't the most robust of tests. Another thing I noted was at 100km/h speed I was travelling at, there was hardly any buffeting from having the window down. |
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09-03-2006, 10:58 AM
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#24 | ||
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_Oo===oO_
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1,471
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Uses less with aircon running.
In recycle though the difference is definitely noticeable uses much more go juice.
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COURAGE - ENDURANCE - MATESHIP - SACRIFICE
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09-03-2006, 11:16 AM
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#25 | ||
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V8 Powaah
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Posts: 1,994
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bahh you sissies, real men but the heater and the windows up when they want to go fast and save fuel.
But jokes aside, i think factors such as having an extra passenger in the car or running with a low tyre pressure would have a similiar influence on fuel economy as having the aircon on or off.
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FG G6E Turbo- Seduce & Cashmere - Sold XF S pack Sedan- AU 302 Windsor, T5, 2.77 LSD, Many Mods
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09-03-2006, 01:05 PM
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#26 | ||
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Punch it baby, punch it.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Working hard. If you work hard you get the goodies.
Posts: 581
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Who cares? If you've got airconditioning use it when you want. It's also great for defrosting in winter or removing steamed up windows, just use it with the heater on.
I was out Saturday in the old 400 cube Galaxie, 34 degrees, doing 70 mph with ice cold airconditioning, stuff putting a window down for a gnats tear worth of juice...
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"Sweat saves blood. Blood saves lives. Brains save both" Erwin Rommel. |
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09-03-2006, 01:15 PM
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#27 | ||
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LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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Well, my car has no gas in the a/c so that only blows hot, so I rely on the windows.
I won't be keeping it long enough to care as the heater works and colder times are on their way, but let me tell you, I'd 100% rather have a/c then save a bit of fuel and have the windows open.
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1.  : 
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09-03-2006, 01:38 PM
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#28 | ||
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Irregular member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,941
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Maybe if you've got a clean run at 100km/h for a while then having the air con might be fine but if you're stuck in heavy traffic and you have it on, it should be a big negative difference, right? But it's probably better than having the heat from the engine bay next to you coming in open windows, including the smells!
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2000 AU II FAIRLANE 75th ANNIVERSARY - big and shiny My hovercraft is full of eels! Movie Car Chase of the Week: Gene Hackman driving a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to chase an elevated train in The French Connection (1971). |
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09-03-2006, 03:51 PM
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#29 | |||
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Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 83
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Quote:
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2005 BA XR6 UTE Shockwave Pacemaker headers - JMM Hi-Flow Cat/Piping - Redback 2.5" Exhaust - BA E-Gas Air Filter - Pedders Suspension (6408's/6100's) - Tint ---- 162rw/kw ----
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09-03-2006, 05:55 PM
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#30 | |||
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Previously ScottishXC
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,100
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I love the windows down so I pop the AC on too- gives a cool breeze even in really hot weather.
The power loss is not bad-it takes too long to kickdown when needed but this is purely the gearbox (4 speed BA) rather than to motor. Once up to speed she goes quite well even with the AC on. I dont care about the fuel cost, company pays for it all and if I did care, I 'd be running a more economical car (probably drive it more economically too!) :eclipsee_
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Great transactions with the following members: BJ Gilesie XAGTCoupe Pilch Aussie_afroman Donut King Bad Boy Benny BAWITHLOT Greenmachine Pinkbits CUZ351 OhioXB Falconunbelievable 4VXC Uncleraggy FG G6 Ego, tech pack, Tropic gold 1973 Landau, Cosmic blue 1975 P5 LTD....long term project Quote:
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Windows Down or A/C on? Which uses less fuel?
Hybrid Mode