Traveling in the scorching heat can be tough. Sitting in a car without AC feels like a nightmare. Many people believe that using the air conditioner (AC) in the car reduces fuel efficiency, so they prefer to drive with the windows open. They think natural ventilation will cool them down and save some petrol or diesel. But according to tech experts, this belief is incorrect. In fact, driving with the windows open uses more fuel than driving with the AC on. Here's the scientific explanation behind it.
Aerodynamic Drag: When you drive, air flows against your car, creating resistance known as aerodynamic drag. Your car needs to overcome this drag to move forward. The more resistance, the more energy your car needs to overcome it. If you open the car windows, air flows inside, increasing the aerodynamic drag or air resistance. To overcome this, the car engine needs more power (fuel). Hence, driving with open windows consumes more fuel.
Impact of Air Conditioning: Using the AC in your car does put some load on the engine, but it doesn't increase aerodynamic drag. The AC might use some fuel, but the load is less compared to the resistance caused by open windows. So, for better fuel efficiency, it's advisable to drive with the AC on and windows closed.
Speed and Mileage: The faster you drive with open windows, the higher the aerodynamic drag and the lower the mileage. If you want to save fuel, keep the windows closed while driving, especially at higher speeds.
