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Is Cranking Up the A/C in the Seattle Heat in Your Nissan Hurting Your Fuel Economy?
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(Posted on Jul 26, 2018 at 02:50AM by Kiera Dailey)

Dear Kiera,Â

Which is better for fuel efficiency? Running the A/C or rolling down the windows?

Best,
Â

Sam

This question gets asked quite a bit and, unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Driving conditions instead define every output.

Letâ€™s take a look at the 2004 study by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Using a sedan (like the Maxima) and an SUV (such as the Armada), they put both both methods to the test; and, my, were they surprised.

According to their findings, running the A/C while driving does indeed decrease fuel economy by 5-10%. These results, however, only apply when traveling down city streets. Once you rev onto the highway, rolling down the windows can send your gas mileage plummeting. They came to the conclusion that, when speed exceeds 45 mph, air resistance created by the seemingly more economical approach accounts for a 20% decline.Â

In a world that places increasing emphasis on efficiency, it seems everyone is looking to improve fuel economy wherever possible. A good rule of thumb is toÂ tryÂ toÂ reserve most of your driving for the cooler parts of the day; namely, in the morning or late in the evening. Ultimately, keeping the windows rolled up and the A/C turned off is the best way to save gas.

I hope that helps, Sam! Let us know if you notice any change in your economy!