a couple things:
1. we've changed the settings of the blog so ANYONE can comment without making a profile (sorry for not doing this earlier, mitch!). that said, please comment! we like to read what y'all have to say :) it's fun for us.
2. sitting in the car in 110+ degree weather in the parking lot of a motel stealing wireless internet isn't the most fun thing in the world, so we'll blog when we can but can't promise every day. i know you're upset, and it makes us very sad, too, don't worry. but here's the thing: if you're really wondering how we're doing, call us! we like phone calls as much as blog comments. and even if we don't have phone reception, you can leave a message!
3. we have a survey question (if you're even still reading this rather random post) ... does using air conditioning effect any of the following: gas mileage, wear and tear on a car, passenger morale? and evidence would be helpful. turns out, it's hot as hell in the southwest & we've thus far not used ye ole a/c. yes, we're a bit crazy, but we're trying to save $ in the long run. what do you think?
and ... that's all we've got for the randomness for now. here's a picture from sequoia that didn't make it that's kinda fun for your viewing pleasure (yup, that's a waterfall at the bottom).
10 comments:
to answer your question. Yes, a/c does affect gas mileage in the wrong direction, however if your options windows down or a/c your gas mileage will be better with windows up and a/c on at speeds over 40ish. Open windows really break he smooth flow of air over the car and creates a lot of friction with the air. Running the a/c shouldn't affect the wear and tear on the car in any significant way. Using a/c is assumed when one considers the mileage on a car. Eventually you will have to have the a/c recharged but that typically takes years so that might be a wear and tear issue. In my opinion a/c is often the difference between happy driving and miserable driving so I hope that answers your morale question. I hope that helps.
yay surveys!
I have always been told that using air conditioning adversely affects the gas mileage of your car. However, the interweb tells me that if you are driving pretty fast, having your windows down is even worse for gas mileage - because it creates drag. So, unless you are willing to keep your windows up (yikes!), I would use the AC. I don't have a lot of evidence on this issue, but I do have plenty of anecdotal evidence regarding the passenger morale question. In short, eventually hot = tired and tired = grumpy.
ditto what mitch and annie said... windows down when driving over 40mph causes drag and greatly lowers your gas milleage. However, I will counter Mitch on the recharging issue. I checked with Tom's "expert" opinion (he's rebuilt cars and worked on them for years)... if a car sits and doesn't go anywhere or get run, the freon will eventually find a hole and leak out, leading to needing recharged. When the a/c system in regularly running, then there is a very very slim chance of ever leaking freon (I guess because it's moving all the time and doesn't have the free time to look for a way out). Modern vehicles are designed to never need recharging.
There is a $10k reward from the feds for turning in any case of someone knowingly & intentionally releasing freon into the atmosphere. So... if you know that an idle a/c may leak freon, then we might be able to turn you in for a reward. j/k ;-)
My first response is that there will be a decrease in gas mileage with the a/c on, and I do agree that the added drad with windows down will have its effect as well. There is also the added expense of gatorade and other fluids on the trip that will help to balance the cost scale if any expense is added for a/c use. Then, there is the comfort factor and remembering that this trip is for fun (not suffering). I am thinking of you both often.
My vote is AC on, windows up. I mean, come on! It's 115 degrees AT NIGHT! To me, this is the only way!
Also, I'm thrilled that you've opened up the ability to comment to everyone; I've been wanting to add my two cents for a while now!
When in the southwest during the summer all rational logic is no longer valid. A/C has a positive effect on the mileage you get on a car, without it you wouldn't go anywhere. Only roll down the windows when you need to ask directions, and in this case you'll probably want to hear the answer so all drag effects of going high speed are null and void. Lastly, morale increases logarithmically as time spent in an air conditioned car increases directly proportional to the distance traveled. Since the desert isn't green, not being green is allowed. Great to see you siphoning some broadband to keep the blog going. See you soon!
Are you crazy!!!! Use the AC! There is an old saying that 4 hours of AC a day keeps the bears away. And also makes you happy. And also helps you to smell good. And windows are like so 1940's. Thanks for letting us all blog now! Robin
If driving with no AC is something akin to being in our Honduran apartment with the AC off...dude, condition your air!!!
We love you!
I have no idea how to answer your survey question, but I did wonder if yoou two were dead particularly because of all of the wildfires I have been hearinig about on NPR. I wasn't sure where you were heading next and so yeah, thought maybe you two had gotten a litle crispier than you'd expected (and/or eaten by a bear). Glad to see that neither is the case...an I agree with Loren and Robin you two are out of your mind with no a/c!:o)
Hey thanks for changing the settings... i didn't really want to sign in. Though I probably should have when I wanted to leave a comment before you arrived in Yellowstone/Tetons. I spent all of last Saturday in Nashville in the sun, but that doesn't come close to the heat y'all are feelin'. Peace.
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