How Often: Do You Drive With The Window Open?

"BJL" (simplifyandaddlightness) 08/26/2013 at 10:00 • Filed to: How Often

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Keeping your window open allows for you to better hear the road noise, better hear your car, and also help keep you alert. Also, Because Racecar. With these new fangled air conditioning units that are in cars, a lot of people just sit in their comfortable cars completely isolated on a good day.

I have my windows open all the time. You name the day, it is open. Given that it is not raining, my window is always down. Everyone I know thinks that it is because my AC doesn't work, but my AC does work. I just enjoy the feeling of having the window open, as well as the fact that my truck is not using any extra power on the AC compressor. How about you?

ColoradoTaco > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:01

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Always, my Ac works as well but I just prefer it. That and AC robs too much power and gas.

Party-vi > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:01

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I drive with my windows down as much as I can, but my driver's side regulator is about to give up the ghost so each time I roll it back up I'm waiting for the inevitable "creak-CLUNK!"

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:02

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Unless it's obnoxiously hot, as much as possible in the Summer. Winter, fuck that I don't like cold.

Z_Stig > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:02

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As long as the temp isn't over 85, I'll usually put the windows down.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:03

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All the time when the heat is not just too much. I use my climate control only when I sit in a slow traffic or when even with two rolled down windows the heat is just too much. I just like to have the ability to rest my hand on the door and feel the air flowing. Even when driving at high speeds I prefer windows. Ok maybe to around 100km/h.

PelicanHazard > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:04

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If the weather is nice and no one else is in the car with me, windows down; the A/C changes the engine's spindown characteristics too much for me to like it in hilly terrain on top of robbing some mpg's. If anyone else is in the car, particularly my girlfriend, it's typically A/C unless the temperature is just right (like mid 60's F/~17 C).

MonkeePuzzle > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:05

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when these happen :)

Sparf > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:06

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All the time when I'm driving my '88 Celica and it's neither cold, windy or rainy. Why? Because the car lacks A/C and the HVAC system isn't quite good enough to do all the cooling when it's sunny outside. Also, it lets me listen to the sweet engine note (which gets muted when the windows are up).

bhardoin > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:07

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about 95% of the time.

Part of the explanation is that I live in Central CA, and it's always nice here. The other part of the explanation is that I've taken my door apart about 5 times, and I still can't get the window to seat correctly against the seal, so my window whistles annoyingly when its closed.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:08

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Never in the Dakota, all the time in the Corvair.

hollanddjw 1 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:10

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Generally always, unless there's precipitation or I'm going fast enough that the buffeting of the wind overpowers the enjoyment of having the windows down.

Firewrx234 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:10

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I drive with my windows down between 65 and 90 degrees. I also keep my sunroof/moonroof open during that time. The only exceptions are when it's raining, when I'm on the interstate, or when the wife complains about it being too hot. My A/C works great and even has dual climate control but I just don't get to enjoy the surroundings as much with it on.

FrankenBlaster > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:12

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Always, even during the winter it's at least cracked. Can't get enough of that turbo induction and bypass valve noise.

frogberg > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:15

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Windows down.

Sunroof open.

As often as possible (between 60 & about 90 degrees and at speeds lower than ~55).

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:18

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I love having my windows open, but in Cincinnati the humidity can make it unbearable in the summer and diesel fumes give me mindsplitting headaches. So when some Douche-Canoe is rolling coal, the windows go up and the AC goes to automatic.

Orange Exige > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:20

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Drive with the windows up and the fans blowing to reduce drag. Because racecar.

For the most part I do not like driving with the windows open. Under 40 mph I will open the windows if it's hot out but never over 40 mph. I don't want to hear the wind blowing past/into the car. Same reason my t-tops never came off my car and I will never buy a convertible (except for a Miata - which I will get a hardtop for).

I also don't like A/C. My 2 doesn't have A/C but if I drive another car I'll use the A/C solely to cool the car off after sitting in the sun all day (if I'm driving on the highway) and then switch to the fans.

YSI-what can brown do for you > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:20

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Anytime the temperature allows and if I am going 40 or below. I hate wind noise, but I like to keep my windows open.

trynthink > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:21

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Generally speaking, I open the windows when it is between 55-80ºF and I am driving below about 45-50 MPH, but I don't open the windows unless I'm uncomfortable.

Growing up, my parents didn't like driving with the windows open, so now, when I want to let the outside air in, I'm more likely to just turn on the fan without the A/C to draw in (more) outside air.

WhiskeyGolf > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:33

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I have the windows open anytime I'm not on the highway, or it's raining. Around town, when you're only a few minutes away from a red light, it's just better to have the breeze.

Pure87 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:36

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Whenever I can. If it's not raining hard and it's less than 95 degrees out, the windows are open or at the very least the sunroof is cracked. Even in the winter. The AC sucks a noticeable amount of power from my car and I can easily stall it if I forget to give it a little more gas when starting on a hill. The only exception to the above is if I'm going somewhere special and don't want to mess up my hair.

davedave1111 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:37

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Driving with the windows closed doesn't feel quite right to me. Unless it's so wet that lots of water is coming in, I'll even have the window open a crack on the motorway.

Nibby > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:38

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I drive with the windows down between 30-80F... any warmer then it is AC time. I don't do well in hot temperatures. If it is especially humid, then I will use the AC.

Yea, I may be one of the few people who enjoy driving with the windows down in a t shirt when it is 35F outside...

pdx107 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:48

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Pretty much every time I get in the car, unless it is raining like hell. And I live in Portland, so even light rain it will be down a couple inches

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:56

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This morning, and as often as possible.

Know what else I love? Windows down on a cold day, with heater blowing full blast (and seat heaters, if you got 'em).

PowderHound > BJL 08/26/2013 at 10:56

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Lots. Get to hear the car better. Breeze always feels good. Hell even in the winter I tend to have a sweatshirt and the window open.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > BJL 08/26/2013 at 11:05

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I drive with the window(s) open if it's more than 0ºC (32ºF) outside and it's not raining dogs, if I'm going slower than 80 kph (50 mph). I like fresh air, but I don't like A/C.

I do live in Norway though, so it's not like I'm not used to low temperatures.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Nibby 08/26/2013 at 11:07

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I do that as well, heck, I never wear more than jeans and a t-shirt until we're talking about -10C (14F).

Gamecat235 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 11:13

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Almost all the time. Unless I have passengers in the car other than my son. (If my daughter is in the car in her car seat, it's AC, because it's needed in the desert). But when I'm by myself, always. Even when it's 108 out. Or when it's 40 (though occasionally when it's 40 or lower AND there is humidity, I have to either run the defrosters or keep em rolled up.

magman007 > BJL 08/26/2013 at 11:24

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Mine is always at least partially down, Because florida and because e-smoker. I know e cig vapor has no smell, but still, I want that shit out the window.

For some reason, in FL it is impossible to be comfortable, fog free, and windows up, you have to find a happy medium between pure cold ass AC and fog, to hot sticky no ac windows down.

NinetyQ > BJL 08/26/2013 at 11:25

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It depends on the season. During the summer, they're open most of the time because I have no A/C. I've been enjoying this summer though because it's been significantly cooler and I can drive comfortably with them up. In the fall, assuming it's coolish, they're usually up. In the winter and spring, I'll only open them if it gets up to mid-50s.

With cars like mine, you don't need the windows open to hear the engine. I get no useful extra feedback from having the windows open. I'm not that isolated to begin with.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > BJL 08/26/2013 at 12:14

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Almost all the time in the summer. I have AC, and it works well, but it's a serious draw on power. I already have to deal with turbo lag. With the compressor engaged, it really bogs down. It's not ideal for city driving.

In the winter/fall/spring, if it's dry, I'll leave them down until my ears start to ache with the cold.

boxrocket > BJL 08/26/2013 at 12:40

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A/C has a leak somewhere so it's currently disabled, so summertime the windows are down. Hooray for power windows!

Enginerrrrrrrrr > BJL 08/26/2013 at 12:50

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As long as it's warm enough (>40 degrees and sunny? yes please), my windows are down. Up to about 65mph though. After that it's a bit much.

Honestly though I want a Shelby Cobra and would totally DD it in the winter. Better get some goggles me thinks.

GRawesome > BJL 08/26/2013 at 13:11

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I usually roll them down as soon as I get into the car and then roll them back up before getting onto the highway and then roll them down again after exiting the highway. I live in Florida though, so if it is raining or just a brutally hot day I'll run the A/C as soon as I get in the car.

In my old cars, it's windows down all the time and stereo off, just listening to the exhaust rumble :) It is especially great in tunnels and parking garages, until the car alarms start going off...

GTCL > BJL 08/26/2013 at 13:20

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I'm in Florida and my windows are down unless it is raining or it is below 40 degrees and I forgot my jacket.

I've pretty much always driven that way, plus it keeps me off the phone.

Alex Murel > BJL 08/26/2013 at 13:39

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Always. Even when its 105 outside I prefer open windows to AC. Since I've given up on fuel economy sometimes I turn on the AC with the windows open.

80CobraKid > BJL 08/26/2013 at 13:50

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All the time, because neither car has AC.

Checkin' Pockets > GRawesome 08/26/2013 at 16:10

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Florida here as well and during the day in summer its a/c all the way. If its cooler in the evening then windows down and roof open. Ii prefer that whenever possible but after many years with no a/c I use it whenever necessary and make no apologies lol. Thats truly one of the best things about living here though is that a very large portion of the year you can rock the windows down all day and night. Just 3 months of the year its a/c all day lol

Rory > BJL 08/26/2013 at 18:45

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98% of my time driving is spent with open windows, mainly due to driving in the city, i like to be able to hear whats around me.

Leadfoot866 > BJL 08/27/2013 at 10:10

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Windows down and (sometimes) sunroof open if I'm alone, temperature is under 90F and/or not horribly humid, and my speed is below 50 MPH. Otherwise it's windows up and A/C on...

A/C on my car doesn't impact MPG and performace as bad as it did in my old Cavalier, so I do use it a little bit more often than in the old Chevy. Still not as much as others...