While most cars today have AC as a standard, some car manufacturers still offer packages without AC, and buyers need to “pay more” to add it on. However, that doesn’t mean everyone is on board with climate control systems today.
In fact, many drivers still believe that they aren’t worth it and only contribute to increased costs. How much of is this true, though? Does using an AC really increase fuel consumption and lower the performance of your car?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to both of the options. These are some of the things that we’re going to discuss in this post.
AC is easy to use
Most modern cars have sophisticated climate control systems that cool down or heat up the interior of your car in a matter of minutes. Drivers only need to press a button and adjust the desired temperature.
AC Cleans air
Modern ACs also have filters that clean the air that gets into the vehicle. All the pollen, dust, and particles are filtered out. It means that the air quality in the car is much better even if you’re going through a polluted area.
Clear windshield and windows
Modern ACs are designed to work with different functions. That’s how you can heat up seats, legs, or even the windshield. The AC removes the moisture out of the air and makes it easier to demist the windshield. Some ACs even have demisting functions.
Reduced gas mileage
Every air conditioner has a compressor that uses the power of the engine. In other words, it drains horsepower, which leads to increased fuel usage. This issue is prevalent in vehicles with sophisticated ACs, where the fuel consumption is noticeably higher.
Lower performance
The fact that the AC steals horsepower not only lowers gas mileage but also reduces the performance of your vehicle. In other words, your car will have poorer acceleration, torque, and maximum speed, especially for cars that have weak engines, to begin with.
Higher engine temperature
When the AC is working, it also causes the engine to heat up. In turn, the cooling system works harder to cool down the engine. Cars without effective cooling systems can sometimes even get damaged over time.
Repair costs
The AC needs to be maintained regularly as well. All the air filters need to be changed to avoid getting dust inside, the refrigerant needs to be replaced, and you need to make sure there is no mold forming in your AC.
Rolling down windows lets you breathe natural air
The AC can often bring in various particles from the engine or even chemicals caused by poor maintenance. With a rolled window, you’re always sure that you’re getting fresh outside air.
Opened windows don’t increase costs
Rolling your window doesn’t cost you anything compared to an AC. You’re just letting more fresh air in as you drive. Even though the air can slow down your vehicle a bit and increase fuel consumption, it’s a tiny fraction of what an AC costs.
Pulling windows down lets you cold down the interior quickly
When your car has been sitting in the sun for hours, you can cool it down quickly by opening all the windows and driving a bit faster. Even the AC can’t bring down the temperature that quickly. The faster you drive, the quicker your interior will feel pleasant.
Opened windows add drag
Opening up your windows and driving down the road causes drag. When your windows are open, the aerodynamics of your vehicle is compromised, resulting in lower performance. The difference really becomes noticeable only when you’re driving fast on a highway. However, you can always open the window only a tiny bit to get fresh air inside.
Rolled windows cause more noise
Opening windows at high speeds causes lots of noise in the cabin as the wind blows all over the place. There’s simply no way around that, especially when driving faster. After all, each cabin is designed to be isolated when closed.
Leaving open windows can lead to damages
Lots of people who roll their windows down forget to bring them up when it’s raining outside. Experts at Car Keys Pro say the rain could damage the electronics within the car door and make it impossible to move the windows or even unlock your car.
Some people even forget to put their windows up and park their cars, exposing them to bad weather or theft.
The bottom line
Both of these options have their upsides and downsides. However, the best solution is to be found somewhere in the middle. You’ll need to have some restraint when using your AC and try to roll down the windows whenever possible. After all, it’s not healthy to spend a lot of time at a temperature drastically different from the weather outside anyway.
