View Poll Results: How do you drive on Average?
Windows Cracked on the Highway
0
0%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll
How to beat the heat?!
#1
How to beat the heat?!
Well, I've read a number of the MPG type forums and gotten some great information. Sounds like I need to slow down, above all, but I was not so certain about the effect of the windows on my driving. Here are my stats, from Personal Vehicle Manager, an app on my Cingular PDA:
Focus your poll answer on the topic of the current heat wave, and summer weather in general. You can reply with your MPG if you want but there is another tread for that...
Focus your poll answer on the topic of the current heat wave, and summer weather in general. You can reply with your MPG if you want but there is another tread for that...
#2
Re: How to beat the heat?!
Originally Posted by TallGuy
note that all MD fuel is E85 which I've heard is less powerful
I roll with A/C on when I am hot, and my use of downed windows does not reflect the A/C's running. This means I do roll with the windows down and A/C on when I feel like it. I don't really care about saving one mpg to feel comfy.
Highway driving is always windows up.
#3
E85 is NOT approved by Toyota/Scion in our vehicles.
Just did about 1400 miles cross-country, across a couple mountain ranges, most of it in 90-98 temps (talking Western mountains, not Eastern hills).
Except for one hill I have past 'experience' on (cooked a Jeep - continuous climb with roughly a 2000 foot elevation change in just under 10 miles - Vantage Hill, I-90 Vantage to Ryegrass) I had the A/C on at all times. Didn't help my MPG much (neither did buzzing along in the 75-95MPH range for most of it), but definately helped my 'temper.' I'm NOT good in hot weather.
Mostly pulled in the neighborhood of 30MPG.
Interior was nice and comfy, even in full sunlight - another plus for white cars...
Just did about 1400 miles cross-country, across a couple mountain ranges, most of it in 90-98 temps (talking Western mountains, not Eastern hills).
Except for one hill I have past 'experience' on (cooked a Jeep - continuous climb with roughly a 2000 foot elevation change in just under 10 miles - Vantage Hill, I-90 Vantage to Ryegrass) I had the A/C on at all times. Didn't help my MPG much (neither did buzzing along in the 75-95MPH range for most of it), but definately helped my 'temper.' I'm NOT good in hot weather.
Mostly pulled in the neighborhood of 30MPG.
Interior was nice and comfy, even in full sunlight - another plus for white cars...
#5
I guess I'm a trooper (I don't know if my opinion counts seeing as I don't own a Scion yet) but I drive in the Texas heat and I never use my A/C unless it's 100+ and then I'll cool down my car for a couple miles until it doesn't burn my hands to touch any of the interior. Other than that I never use the A/C. IMO it wastes gas. As much driving as I do I don't like paying $35 plus a week to fill up my car. Slowing down will help. Hauling @$$ at stop lights burns 33% more gas than gradually getting up to speed.
#7
Originally Posted by hayalex6
watch mythbusters. They prove A/C gives better gas milage.
sidenote: they found out the fastest way to get beer cold was ice, water and salt. 5 minutes to get an ice cold beer.
#8
I know this isnt a Scion comment but our mechanic told us that our 1979 Lincoln's A/C compressor uses 30 hp. That car doesn't have too much power to begin with, so I think it really depends on the car if mileage is affected.
#9
Heh... The A/C compressor in my old '69 Chrysler was almost as large as the engine in my xB... May even have had a similar displacement.
The compressors in the xA/xB models are highly efficient and quite tiny. We don'thave all that much power to waste, so I doubt if they pull much power even with the swashplate at full tilt (there is no clutch on our A/C compressor - the compressor shaft ALWAYS turns when the engine is running).
Most modern A/C compressors are much more efficient than the older models, and the odd little electricly-variable-compression units like ours are specifically designed for low powered engines.
The compressors in the xA/xB models are highly efficient and quite tiny. We don'thave all that much power to waste, so I doubt if they pull much power even with the swashplate at full tilt (there is no clutch on our A/C compressor - the compressor shaft ALWAYS turns when the engine is running).
Most modern A/C compressors are much more efficient than the older models, and the odd little electricly-variable-compression units like ours are specifically designed for low powered engines.
#11
a/c full tilt, and i seem to get better mileage on any of my vehicles with the windows up and the a/c on, vs windows down. when you have air pounding on your rear glass thru the windows, its just more friction to slow you down.
#12
TallGuy - A/C affects your gas mileage... but not enough to notice.
Best tings to do... Slow down. Run A/C on highways instead of Rolling down the Windows... the wind resestance is a big factor... not in town tho... then it doesn't matter either way.
Another thing you might want to consider... your car is still new. Alot of times you have to break your engine in before you start getting the sticker-marked MPG.
Best tings to do... Slow down. Run A/C on highways instead of Rolling down the Windows... the wind resestance is a big factor... not in town tho... then it doesn't matter either way.
Another thing you might want to consider... your car is still new. Alot of times you have to break your engine in before you start getting the sticker-marked MPG.
#13
Yes rolling highway speeds with the windows down is like driving a boxxy wind sock. The air comes in through the windows and drags the car down. Not to mention I can't stand the pounding pressure sounds I get with the 2 rear windows down. Talk about annoying.
#16
I drive with all 4 windows down in Phoenix unless I have passengers, 80 mph on the freeway when traffic permits. For the first few months my wife drove the xB for her 1.5-mile commute with A/C on all the time and got a lot less than the 30 mpg I'm getting now.
#17
Originally Posted by lonestar
Originally Posted by hayalex6
watch mythbusters. They prove A/C gives better gas milage.
sidenote: they found out the fastest way to get beer cold was ice, water and salt. 5 minutes to get an ice cold beer.