[Xringer]

Today I was on the highway in hot weather (81f) and was looking at the SC2 to
see how many MPG I was losing with the AC running.
With all the hills, I couldn't really pin it down. But, on average, I was burning
more fuel than I did on the trip out this morning when it was cool..
Cool=30.5 MPG and Hot=29 MPG..

Anyways, I was displaying the radiator water temp. It was staying right at 198
just about all the time. That's the normal temp even if it's 65 out..

Then, I noticed something interesting.. Each time I would turn on the AC,
the engine temp would drop down to about 188.. A 10 degree drop!
Turn off the AC and within a few minutes, the engine was back to 198.
Just a few miles of AC on, and it was back down to 188.

My theory is, the AC coolant being pumped into the coil sitting in front of the
radiator is still cool. Cooler than outside air temp.
So, when the in-take air comes in, it cools down a little on the AC coil
before hitting the radiator and cooling it off a little..

It seems like the extra load of the compressor making the engine work harder
would make it hotter.. But, it seems the AC coolant is making it run cooler..

So, what's the real story??