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Old 07-27-2008, 11:42 PM   #2 (permalink)
whokilledthejams
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredonia, NY
Posts: 322

Boxy Brown - '04 Scion xB
90 day: 35.48 mpg (US)
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105? The solution to dealing with that kind of heat is to move.

Of course, I start complaining at 75F about how I miss winter.

Methodically pulsing AC is a good idea, though. I would do that with the Subaru I had, because the AC made me take about a 3mpg hit. On the other hand, in the xB, I had a tank at the beginning of the month where I ran the AC for 200-odd miles at 65mph on the I90, and still managed a reasonable 34mpg. Also, I forgot to check my tire pressure before that trip, which had gone back down to ~35psi (I've intended to run 40-45psi lately, with reasonable success). So, the AC alone isn't that huge a drain for me, except uphill or merging, I notice it the engine drag somewhat.

Of course, if I'm driving alone, I'll usually just open windows. At interstate speeds, I don't like them all the way down, but I find in most cars, you get a nice circulating breeze with the two passenger-side windows (in a sedan or wagon, obviously) both open about 1-2". No detectable mpg hit, a reasonable noise level, but enough of a breeze to keep things tolerable.
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