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Which is more efficient when cooling a car, A/C or windows? (Part 2)

One reader recalls a trip to New Orleans - and an experiment with electrically operated windows

27 September 2023

Four cheerful female friends having fun on summer road trip

bojanstory/Getty Images

Driving in summer, I can cool my car by using air conditioning or opening the windows. One drains the battery, the other makes the car less aerodynamic. Which is more efficient? (continued)

Alan Coulson
Nairn, Highland, UK

Years ago, I visited New Orleans. I took a cab to my hotel and was amazed to find the vehicle had electrically operated windows, still a novelty in the UK at the time. As the weather was hot, I decided to press the button and open my window. The response from the cab driver was “for Pete’s sake, close the window, my air…

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