AC-on vs. windows-down controversy continues

As gas prices across the country go through the roof, people are becoming more innovative in ways to conserve their car's fuel consumption. Some people think that by turning off a car's air conditioner and letting Mother Nature cool the air, the car will burn less fuel. Others vehemently disagree.

A couple of weeks ago, we published a story on this debate: "Will rolling down windows save fuel or not?" The experts say when driving around town, turn off the AC and roll down your windows. However, keep the AC on and windows up when traveling on the highways.

That's what the experts said, but we wanted to know what real people, driving cars back and forth to work or taking the children to school and soccer practice, are experiencing. So, we asked: What gets the best mileage on your car -- windows down and the air conditioner off, or windows up and AC on?

Here's what you had to say.

For some readers, speed is the issue:

Len writes:

My car is a 1999 Ford Taurus with a V6, 3.0L engine. When it's super hot, I cool down my car by opening the windows to get out the big heat. Then, I crack open the passenger's window a bit and the driver side window behind me to get a cross draft going on. This draws the heat out when it gets too hot. After doing that, I turn on the AC until it cools down, then turn the AC off and the fan on to mid-point.

I drove this way from Long Beach, Calif., to Florida and back and consumed about 28 miles per gallon the whole route, including mountains. I didn't need to go over 65 mph. And when my car is not loaded, I get about 33 to 35 mpg.

Slow-it-down Vince says:

I get the best gas mileage driving with the windows down, AC off and observing the 65 mph speed limit. I drive a Hyundai Santa Fe, which is rated at between 22 and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. By driving without air, at 65 mph, I get 27+ mpg. I used to drive 72 mph, but now I save almost 5 mpg with the drop to 65 mph. Also, I try not to go over 3000 rpm on acceleration. In other words, I drive like I have an egg under my foot.

Windows down, AC off

Paul times it right:

I have a Civic Hybrid. I am averaging 45 mpg over 18 months of ownership. My air conditioning decreases my mileage by 10 percent, but here's what I do: I schedule my trips either very early in the morning or after 6 p.m. I drive at night when I'm going for a long trip. When I'm in town, my windows are down. On highway trips, I keep the windows up and ventilation fan on high. Morning air and evening air are comfy.

Sidney reminisces:

Because of my age and health problems, it is imperative that the air conditioning is on. But, if I was, say, 18 years old again (I'm 72), I would keep the windows down at slower speeds and save gas. In the old days we loved to ride with the windows down. The smell of fresh air and wind going through my hair (don't have hair now) was delightful.

David fumes:

I use the AC as little as possible. But my wife uses it all the time, even on days when it's not very hot. As a consequence, we've had to replace cars, more often because the AC failed and couldn't be fixed; or would be extremely expensive to fix, than any other reason. To me, that's an important reason for not using the AC (unless it's really hot) than getting better gas mileage. For highway travel I roll the windows down just a little. At the higher speeds, that gives good air circulation with less drag. I'd rather do that than have to get a new car after three years just because the AC failed.