# using ac and getting terrible gas mileage.
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [June 13, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962 "2008-06-13T14:18:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/1 "2008-06-13T14:18:10Z")
Is there anything I can do to lessen the decrease in gas mileage when I’m using my AC? I thought it would decrease it a little bit, but it’s seriously killing my wallet.
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### Author:  [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/2 "2008-06-13T14:19:03Z")
no, not really.
You cant lessen the load that the compressor is, while having the compressor do its job
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### Author:  [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/3 "2008-06-13T14:21:19Z")
if you’re on the highway you’ll get better MPG using A/C vs. windows down in theory. No A/C and windows all close should win.
regardless, the bigger gas killer is your full time awd.
what difference are you noticing? should be like 2-3mpg at worst, right?
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### Author:  [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/4 "2008-06-13T14:22:04Z")
[http://mythbusters-wiki.discovery.com/page/Keeping+the+Car+Cool?t=anon](http://mythbusters-wiki.discovery.com/page/Keeping+the+Car+Cool?t=anon)
vs.
> **[Car News, Reviews, & Pricing for Environmentally-Friendly Vehicles - Autoblog...](https://www.autoblog.com/green/)**
>
> Get up-to-the-minute environmentally-friendly (or egregiously unfriendly) car news, reviews, high-quality photos and commentary about living green.
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### Author:  [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/5 "2008-06-13T14:23:17Z")
2wd55
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### Author:  [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/6 "2008-06-13T14:27:31Z")
It’s more like a loss of 6-7. I usually get like 28mpg, and I’m getting around 21. It just seemed today like I went through ALOT of gas.
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### Author:  [@Silver](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Silver)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/7 "2008-06-13T14:55:50Z")
Are you making this statement based on gas mileage today only? Did you drive in any different conditions today? More/slower traffic? Lots of stop and go? Did you drive a little more spirited than normal? All factors that could affect your gas milage today only.
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### Author:  [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/8 "2008-06-13T14:58:39Z")
Well today was the day I used the AC. And I drive the same route every day. Nothing changed.
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### Author:  [@Cavi\_Mike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cavi_Mike)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/9 "2008-06-13T18:08:58Z")
Put your windows down and wear less clothes.
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### Author:  [@RobHimself](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RobHimself)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/10 "2008-06-13T18:21:05Z")
Nothign you can do except use it less dude.
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### Author:  [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/11 "2008-06-13T18:53:14Z")
Aw boo. That’s not what I wanted to hear! Hahah.
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### Author:  [@RobHimself](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RobHimself)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/12 "2008-06-13T19:01:45Z")
well theres always hitchhiking
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### Author:  [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/13 "2008-06-13T19:08:30Z")
Hopefully a rich person picks me up so I can sit in their nicely cooled vehicle.
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### Author:  [@DeusExMachina](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DeusExMachina)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/14 "2008-06-13T19:30:37Z")
I’ll pick you up 4 noodz.
But seriously, if you can bear it, windows down around town and A/C on the highway. And just tough out the extra cost for comfort. :shrug:
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### Author:  [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/15 "2008-06-13T19:32:04Z")
> [@DeusExMachina](#):
>
> I’ll pick you up 4 noodz.
>
> But seriously, if you can bear it, windows down around town and A/C on the highway. And just tough out the extra cost for comfort. :shrug:
should be the other way around, windows down on the highway where the wind cools you, and ac on when your driving stop n go 30mph in buffalo.
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### Author:  [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/16 "2008-06-13T20:03:15Z")
> [@Just Karter](#):
>
> should be the other way around, windows down on the highway where the wind cools you, and ac on when your driving stop n go 30mph in buffalo.
then your using your a/c when it makes the biggest impact on milage, and have your windows open when it makes the biggest impact in milage
say a/c uses 20hp (constant no matter how fact your moving)
and say that the aerodynamic drag from having the windows down is equal to:
10hp loss @ 30
20hp loss @ 45
30hp loss @ 60
obviously it would be more efficient to have the windows open below 45, and the a/c on above 45
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### Author:  [@Violator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Violator)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/17 "2008-06-13T20:07:20Z")
> [@dawn"](#):
>
> Is there anything I can do to lessen the decrease in gas mileage when I’m using my AC? I thought it would decrease it a little bit, but it’s seriously killing my wallet.
Turn off the compressor (fan can run) when you are accelerating.
Set the controls on recirculate instead of fresh air. That will cool colder longer.
If you set the controls to fresh air vent and turn the fan up when on the throughway doing 60+ you will get a pretty cool breeze with no AC
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### Author:  [@Gus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gus)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/18 "2008-06-13T20:15:51Z")
!ac - FTW
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### Author:  [@ly555is](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ly555is)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/19 "2008-06-13T20:16:35Z")
keep your shit tuned up, tire pressures on point as well
helps out 🙂
recirc will def help as well
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### Author:  [@\_Karu](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/_Karu)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/using-ac-and-getting-terrible-gas-mileage/49962/20 "2008-06-13T21:12:05Z")
close your windows and open your moonroof (just tilt)?
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