I'm a big cheapskate, so I like to get the best gas milage possible. For this reason I usually avoid AC and drive with the windows down, plus I don't like any power loss associated with using the AC. But I hear rolling the windows down wastes gas too. So which wastes more gas? Having the windows down or using the AC?

 

If you are really deciding between those to thing to save on gas...
maybe you shoulda gotten the MC? and not the S?

But since you got the S - I would defiintely say rolling down your windows is more gas efficient..

but look around for chrisnl - he is very fuel-conscious and might have some advice.

 

You actually get better efficiency with the windows up and the AC on. With the windows down there is much more drag on the car and results in poorer fuel economy.

 

When driving on the freeway at speeds over 75 especially, having your windows down becomes a great drag and I believe having your a/c on at that time is the more efficient way to go. On the street though, there is no question a/c will just consume more gas as drag isn't really an issue. What i've always wondered is if different fan speeds affect the motor, hence gas mileage specifically.

 

One of the things I really liked about the MINI Cooper S was that it has great performance and good gas milage. I'm concerned about fuel economy, but not so much that I would have gotten the Cooper.

So on the freeway I should put the windows up, sounds good, usually I do this anyway as I don't like the wind associated with it. I haven't noticed any power loss with the AC on like I used to in my old honda civic, even though it was an old underpowered car, I would still expect to see some loss of power on the MCS, but I haven't noticed any. Has anyone noticed a lack in power with the AC on?

 

I think if you tow it behind a Toyota Prius you'll get great gas mileage. If that's too much you could always push it to work.

 

I think i would keep the windows rolled down unless I go over
50mph. Then windows up and AC on.

 

Waste the most gas in a MCS? Easy going slow or worrying about mileage, definately a waste of gas.

Having a blast and not worrying about mileage, best bang for the buck.


Of course I also flipped the big dollars for the JCW..


Paul

 

Just to make sure, heat does not do anything to gas milage correct? Only AC. just double checking:p

I never drive with air on, I'm a heat person, heat in the summer, windows down, sun roof open, same in the winter too:p

 

If anything heat actually helps your engine, since its bleeding hot air away from the engine. There's been a couple of times the heat has saved me from having a car overheat.

 

The big thing to remember is HAVE MAJOR FUN a/c or no a/c

 

Well a few tips, keep around 70MPH or less (speed eats fuel). If you don't care about your finish, drafting trucks can help. A friend of mine in college had a 1996 Passat TDI, drafting trucks in the upper peninsula of MI once we were getting 58MPG!

If you can bear it, no A/C, windows up, with the fan on "medium" for the climate system is the most efficent. I read this in Car Magazine (and the Brits need to care about fuel econ- with $8/gallon gas!) The blower saps a little power off the engine but not much. Having the sunroof open adds drag, but not too much.

I notice the A/C sucks a little power down (most noticable when taking off), but not too offensive...

 

If it's 112 degrees in our Arizona desert and I'm driving in it - the AC is on. Period.

 

When gas mileage becomes such a factor I can't use my air conditioning I'll quit driving and stay home with my home air conditioning on. It gets some kind of hot and humid in Arkansas in the summer.


R.E.

 

The power difference between the a/c being on or not is significant. You can just feel it doesn't zoom along as quick. If you don't feel it, pay attention to it next time. Also, when the temps are over the 90's, you'll definitely notice you gotta take off a bit more.. carefully.

 

That's the reason you don't notice...

My car before the MINI was a '93 Civic DX (1.3L 4cyl, 95-ish hp). In that thing the A/C absolutely DRAINED the power. As-in, going up a moderate grade (but lengthy) hill on the interstate around here at ~75mph in the summer w/ the A/C on you would have to turn the A/C off to make it up the hill successfully.

I definitely notice a power drain in my MC when I kick on the A/C... however I usually just park it in SD mode when I have the A/C on and it drives about the same as the A/C off in D (but better when you nail the gas). Of note, the power drain absolutely PALES in comparison to my old Civic. I was pleasantly surprised that I could finally drive around all summer w/ the A/C on if I wanted to and not feel like I was driving a 3-cyl Geo Metro.

 

Under full throttle the ECU will disengage the A/C clutch. So if you really have to get moving, power drain won't be an issue.

I've read in multiple places that "windows-up/acn" is the more efficient way to go.

More important for gas mileage is making sure your tires are properly inflated. But you already knew that.

 

>>but look around for chrisnl - he is very fuel-conscious and might have some advice.<<

Hmm, I guess I've assumed the mantle of resident fuel economy nitpicker.


I agree with whoever said that the answer is really speed-dependent. On the highway, open windows are definitely less efficient than A/C, but in the city, it's more efficient to just roll down the windows and breathe in all that carbon monoxide and soot...

And Ian's right; keeping tires properly inflated is a much bigger factor than the difference between open windows and A/C.

 

What i want to know is why every BRG owner I personally know tells me that they get really crappy fuel mileage.....weird, but true.......

 

>>What i want to know is why every BRG owner I personally know tells me that they get really crappy fuel mileage.....weird, but true.......

>>Well if that is the case ,lets not get to know each other personally,My BRG MINI gets great MPG

 

I've been bad and haven't checked the tire inflation since I got the car, I think I'll do that next time I fill up. They looked okay to me though *shrug*

 

pocketrocketowner - I have a BRG and am happy with my gas mileage. I've been getting around 25 to 26 mpg for my daily commute. That's with the AC off and windows open (for now) in keeping with the subject of this thread.

 

>>pocketrocketowner - I have a BRG and am happy with my gas mileage. I've been getting around 25 to 26 mpg for my daily commute. That's with the AC off and windows open (for now) in keeping with the subject of this thread.

He's joking, if you looked at all of his posts he finds something bad to say about BRG, seriously. I don't know where or why it started, but thats his deal.

 

>>pocketrocketowner - I have a BRG and am happy with my gas mileage. I've been getting around 25 to 26 mpg for my daily commute. That's with the AC off and windows open (for now) in keeping with the subject of this thread.


I have known CR's that get 35-38 MPG....I am telling you guys....export them BRG's back to England where they belong.....France would be even better since they would not want them in England.....pressure needs to be put on MINI division to discontinue the BRG immediately or sooner.

 

I always drive with AC off and windows up. Once in awhile for a change I will drive windows down and when my wife comes along she always wants AC on.

With AC off and windows up in a stock MCS I got 33 mpg.
With AC off and windows up in a highly modded MCS I got 26 mpg.
With AC off and windows down with full throttle at the track I got 21 mpg.

I would have drove at the track with windows up but the helmet shield was getting kinda foggy.
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