At 08:27 PM 8/28/2007, Maggie Dew wrote...
>Sorry, I thought the p-mail about mythbusters was cc'd to the list (I
>only
>get digest).
>
>Apparently episode 38, Season 3, concluded that above 50 mph you get
>better
>mpg with AC on and windows up (drag factor), but below 50 it is best
>to have
>AC off and windows down.

Too many variables. Mythbusters is entertainment, not science. R-12 or
R-134a? Modern variable displacement compressor? What difference does
the inside/outside temperature differential make? Were the aerodynamics
of the vehicle measured to determine the difference (windows
open/closed)? How does that difference compare with other vehicles
(specifically the Vanagon, where I can't imagine you can do much to
make it worse, including opening the windows)?