Tip of the Day: Use AC sparingly to save money on gas

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Roll down your car's windows and let in the summer breeze. Using the gas-hogging air conditioning as sparingly as possible will give your car's fuel economy a real boost. Air conditioning can drag down your car's fuel economy by 10 percent to 20 percent.

On days when air conditioning is a must, first try cooling your car the old fashioned way -- rolling down the windows, opening the vents, peeling back the sunroof. You'd be amazed how much hot air you can clear out of your car just by opening up for awhile.

Flipping on the air conditioning full blast as soon as you hop into a hot car is a big waste of gas and money.

Keep in mind, though, that at highway speeds, modern cars are more fuel efficient with the air conditioning on than with the air off and windows down.

 

 

Courtesy of bankrate.com