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car feels slower with windows open.
08-02-2006, 11:48 PM
#1
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location:
Posts: 4,333
car feels slower with windows open.
acceleration just doesn't feel nearly as strong; the engine seems to just not have the torque when the windows are open.
is this just a perception thing? if so, why?
is this just a perception thing? if so, why?
08-03-2006, 12:01 AM
#2
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 601
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
Could also be all the air coming into the car that is pushing you back a little. I always close the windows when I want to go "fast", do it without thinking about it.
08-03-2006, 12:04 AM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 740
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
Over about 50mph, you actually loose power, or at least usable power, due to drag. You'll actuall save gas and have more power if you roll up your windows and turn on the a/c.
08-03-2006, 12:05 AM
#4
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location:
Posts: 280
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
I saw a study that shows your car will get more MPG with the windows closed and AC on than driving with windows open. (They were testing driving on the highway.) So I figure that is also related to the cars performance on the butt dyno
08-03-2006, 03:51 AM
#5
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 116
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
to maximize MPG, generally speaking, above 50 mph roll windows up and turn on A/C. Below 50 mph, roll windows down. However, there are other factors as well. How many windows are down, and how far down are the main concerns. Remember, you don't need all ur windows down at 60 mph to stay cool, you just need decent air circulation. Halfway down could provide the same cooling effect with less drag...
In any case, it all amounts to less than a MPG difference between AC and windows down anyway (unless you're going like a buck 20) so I say crank up the A/C full blast if you're cruising on the highway!
In any case, it all amounts to less than a MPG difference between AC and windows down anyway (unless you're going like a buck 20) so I say crank up the A/C full blast if you're cruising on the highway!
08-03-2006, 06:24 AM
#7
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 5,390
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
I personally experienced the change in MPG while on PCH. I thought at the time that having AC on was bad and so kept rolling the window down. I had reset the computer which shows MPG and it would drop about 1 or 1 1/2 MPG when I had the window down. On a recent long trip I noticed no discernible drop in MPG when using AC instead. I used to think that turning it on would cause more tension on the belt, and the expected increase in engine work to maintain a constant speed. Nope!
So what it means is no more sweating it out with just the fan on higher than normal! Go AC Baby!
So what it means is no more sweating it out with just the fan on higher than normal! Go AC Baby!
08-03-2006, 01:20 PM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location:
Posts: 280
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
ORIGINAL: jonnyjon84
to maximize MPG, generally speaking, above 50 mph roll windows up and turn on A/C. Below 50 mph, roll windows down. However, there are other factors as well. How many windows are down, and how far down are the main concerns. Remember, you don't need all ur windows down at 60 mph to stay cool, you just need decent air circulation. Halfway down could provide the same cooling effect with less drag...
In any case, it all amounts to less than a MPG difference between AC and windows down anyway (unless you're going like a buck 20) so I say crank up the A/C full blast if you're cruising on the highway!
to maximize MPG, generally speaking, above 50 mph roll windows up and turn on A/C. Below 50 mph, roll windows down. However, there are other factors as well. How many windows are down, and how far down are the main concerns. Remember, you don't need all ur windows down at 60 mph to stay cool, you just need decent air circulation. Halfway down could provide the same cooling effect with less drag...
In any case, it all amounts to less than a MPG difference between AC and windows down anyway (unless you're going like a buck 20) so I say crank up the A/C full blast if you're cruising on the highway!
08-03-2006, 06:53 PM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: 661 California
Posts: 372
RE: car feels slower with windows open.
A/C on? Doesn't that cause drag?at least in my wifes honda it does; it's like opening a parachute on the Hwy. I honestly haven't had my car long enough to find out, it's in the shop now for the clutch packs and master cylinder leak.