Why is everyone driving with their windows down?

[tinytim123]

In towns the last week I've noticed many cars driving with their windows down & assumed it was a mix of short journeys/ineffective AC.

But on the motorway yesterday I was surprised to see just so many vehicles travelling at 60-70mph with every single window down. We know that AC adds 8-10% to fuel consumption but surely the drag of open windows actually makes things worse.

Completely understand that with the state of the economy many may not have the means to start repairing their AC but there were many newer cars (2019+ ) with them open too.

What's the mentality behind all windows open?

[scorcher]

Don’t think this is a new phenomenon. People have been doing it since cars were invented. I’ll quite often have my roof down on my convertible when the weather permits too. Amazing but true.

[Krikkit]

tinytim123 said:

What's the mentality behind all windows open?

Having had a mostly very wet and miserable summer, people are enjoying the warm weather?

[S100HP]

I'll always have windows down rather than Aircon. I like the outdoors.

[popeyewhite]

tinytim123 said:

just so many vehicles travelling at 60-70mph with every single window down.

Above about 50 mph the drag will mean greater mpg than aircon usage. Read that somewhere a while back.

[A500leroy]

Ive not got air con, having the windows down IS the aircon in both my car and van.

[GeniusOfLove]

What a bizare question. Presumably some will be dead AC but I'd say it's probably personal preference and they don't give a st about the cost?

For what it's worth I often drive with the windows down and/or the roof down AND the AC blowing cold air on me, and if that doesn't bake your brain I sometimes have the roof down and the heater blowing on me!

Is this because every asinine local paper story about saving money and reducing fuel usage faps on about AC usage? Back when the compressor was the size of a dustbin it probably mattered but in anything modern it makes no material difference. Do 69.5MPH instead of 70MPH to make up the difference

[Milkyway]

I have never used air con, windows up & using fuel...no thanks.

[oldaudi]

I have AC on and the Windows down. A nice mix of cold air blowing and warm polluted city air is the right mix for me

[Sebring440]

tinytim123 said:

In towns the last week I've noticed many cars driving with their windows down & assumed it was a mix of short journeys/ineffective AC.

But on the motorway yesterday I was surprised to see just so many vehicles travelling at 60-70mph with every single window down. We know that AC adds 8-10% to fuel consumption but surely the drag of open windows actually makes things worse.

Completely understand that with the state of the economy many may not have the means to start repairing their AC but there were many newer cars (2019+ ) with them open too.

What's the mentality behind all windows open?

Probably because it's been quite hot in the UK over this past few days.

[MXRod]

I had to do a round trip S London to near Salisbury ,Friday \Saturday , the ac in my mx5 is broken ,so even with top down I was frying ,I would have loved to have an icy blast from a working ac to counteract the oppressive heat

Edited by MXRod on Sunday 10th September 12:45

[Welcome.]

Ac on 24/7 and driver window down occasionally.

[Pistom]

The mentality behind all windows open is they want air blowing around them.

I'm more surprised to see people's windows closed.

[ChrisH79]

I tend to use air con in town/heavy traffic where there’s a load of exhaust gases around. But I like fresh air and when I’m somewhere that traffic is moving freely I’d rather have the windows open

[Hoofy]

I've noticed that. Never used to notice it before especially on multiple lane roads when you're stuck in traffic and you can hear what the person next to you is listening to because they have their passenger window down. People never used to drive with both windows down and only one person in the car.

I can only assume everyone's AC is fked because mine is and that's why I have the driver's window down... but not the passenger window when I'm alone.

[GroundEffect]

Milkyway said:

I have never used air con, windows up & using fuel...no thanks.

At speeds over about 60mph you're using the same if not more with the window down due to increased drag.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hyb...

[Smint]

Real air, wonderful stuff.

Cover thousands of miles a month in my truck with the driver's window fully open, also open the roof vent as it stops the buffeting, right arm heavily tanned, left arm half the shade.

[biggbn]

Because its hot is probably the correct answer, but my critical thinking skills may not be the best...

[Milkyway]

GroundEffect said:

Milkyway said:

I have never used air con, windows up & using fuel...no thanks.

At speeds over about 60mph you're using the same if not more with the window down due to increased drag.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hyb...

I have read that having the opposing windows open, reduces drag & buffeting.
(So, on a RHD, The drivers & rear n/s...if possible).

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 10th September 13:01

[stevemcs]

I have the roof down and AC on.

From sept to April we do no AC work, from May to August we limit oursleves to 3 bookings per day as soon as the sun goes in people do not turn up.