[cdgatti]

As we enter into the fall and the weather is starting to cool off, some of us like to drive with windows open and the AC off to gain some power (N52) and save some gas. I have found that if you open the passenger side front AND passenger side rear windows about 2-4 inches you will get a very nice gentle breeze coming from the back of the car on the driver side while not having to endure too much wind noise that you can still hear the radio fine. Keep both driver side windows closed. Give it a try, you might be surprised!

[e90Cam]

In the city I just roll with both driver/passenger side windows down, however you're right when you're travelling faster there's still wind noise but it's more concealed

[adriang]

Always needed this thread but never knew I did dude. No seriously lol. I usually open the passengers side window and the window behind me.
More recently to block off the wind coming at my face I've been comfortably holding the pillar and resting my elbow on the door at the same time

[AndreyT]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

As we enter into the fall and the weather is starting to cool off, some of us like to drive with windows open and the AC off to gain some power (N52) and save some gas.

Opening windows is more efficient in terms of power and fuel savings only at "city" speeds. Once you get to "highway" speeds, it is better to have the windows closed, or aerodynamic losses will quickly exceed any A/C savings.

Originally Posted by cdgatti

I have found that if you open the passenger side front AND rear windows about 2-4 inches you will get a very nice gentle breeze coming from the back of the car on the driver side while not having to endure too much wind noise that you can still hear the radio fine.

Well, this is a rather well-known trick. Actually, the general rule of the thumb is to keep the front windows open about two times wider than rear windows. That creates the nice inflow-outflow-inner circulation balance that keeps the wind and noise down.

[JeM9]

The only way I drive is with the windows down, I rarely use my A.C. unless I have company in the car. The breeze is amazing, especially with the sunroof cracked and the passenger side a little down

[Swizzie7]

Great tip OP!, I have e92 coupe, but thanks for sharing..

[NGEE]

I have found that if I open the rear passenger side window, I have to pull the door panel to get it to roll back up.

No, seriously.

Anyway, I love driving with the windows down and the breeze blowing through that space where my hair used to be.

[idrift4wd]

I like opening up both front a rear windows. the flow of air is more natural and less annoying.

i would like to know if using AC on the high way VS. windows down is beneficial to MPG or nawww

[Denny347]

Ever just roll one of the rear windows down and have the inside of the car vibrate violently from the turbulence? When my dog is back there he likes to stick his head out.

[chillbil79]

This is how I drive

[bender rodriguez]

I learned the hard way to roll my tinted windows down at night so I don't get pulled over

[TokyoCarGuy]

I just open my windows to hear the exhaust better....

[Danimals]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

I like opening up both front a rear windows. the flow of air is more natural and less annoying.

i would like to know if using AC on the high way VS. windows down is beneficial to MPG or nawww

In the e92, I tested this and found better gas mileage with windows up and a/c on. Both test set to cruise and for a lengthy drive.

[tboudre]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

As we enter into the fall and the weather is starting to cool off, some of us like to drive with windows open and the AC off to gain some power (N52) and save some gas. I have found that if you open the passenger side front AND passenger side rear windows about 2-4 inches you will get a very nice gentle breeze coming from the back of the car on the driver side while not having to endure too much wind noise that you can still hear the radio fine. Keep both driver side windows closed. Give it a try, you might be surprised!

Thanks! Great observation! Being in South Louisiana, this will be great for December thru January. All other months A/C is a necessity. LOL.

[tmo24]

Should be a DIY sticky...

[SSW]

Sitting in hot weather seems to make the AC in my E90 go haywire -- blows hot air when the settings are set to max cold at 60F.

So, whenever the car has been sitting in the heat for awhile, I turn off the AC and open ALL of the windows and the sunroof to get the hot air out of the car while driving BEFORE turning the AC on and the AC blows cold after I've done this. No more hot air w/the AC set at 60F and I can close the car up after that.

[JustinGTP]

all 4 windows down all the time or all 4 cracked open the same distance.

OCD is a bitch

[bad karma]

In Portland, I get about 3 months a year where I can put my windows down. So it's sun roof open, and all four all the way down all the time! Aaaaand the AC on, because I am a masochist and love punishing my wallet.

[AndreyT]

For many of us keeping the AC off is not a matter of saving gas/money. People who drive MT cars can immediately feel how the AC, when enabled, steals power from the wheels. This is not acceptable, which is why we go out of our way to keep the AC off as much as possible.

With AT the effect is less prominent (i.e. it is there but the difference is better hidden from the driver), which is why AT drivers are more likely to keep AC on at all times.

[Amini77]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Ever just roll one of the rear windows down and have the inside of the car vibrate violently from the turbulence? When my dog is back there he likes to stick his head out.

Yeah since the regulator gets stuck sometimes it sounds like a helicopter.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by JeM9

The breeze is amazing, especially with the sunroof cracked and the passenger side a little down

I second this - the cracked sunroof with passenger side windows slightly down nets the biggest effect.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Us hardtop guys don't worry about this shit....