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Subject:Re: MPG and AC - Mythbusters
From:Andrew Grebneff
Date:Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:48:28 +1200

>All one has to do is turn the AC on and feel the immediate lug on the
>engine.  Anybody in tune with their vehicle will know there is quite a bit
>of power loss involved, therefore a loss of MPG.  Open the windows at 60
>MPH, you don't feel the engine start to drag the same as if you turned on
>that AC.
>
>Geez....
>
>Bryan

Doesn't make any apparent difference to either performance or economy
in out 93 Toyota Estima turbodiesel. But maybe that's because of the
diesel's torque. Haven't driven a gas vehicle with aircon.

And indeed Mythbusters is entertainment. They may hit the nail on the
head for simple things, but with complicated systems they won't get
any meaningful reseult. And if there's science involved... a
scientist would either watch it for a laugh or turn it off.
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut