Driving with the windows fully down on the highway

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: CT8
That is model 70 air conditioning.

We used to call it the 4-60 air conditioning: 4 windows down, 60 miles an hour.

Most of the year it's not too hot, though very humid, when I drive in to work, so I crack the passenger side windows and roll up those on my side. It gives a nice breeze around my head. Then, on surface streets, all the windows come down.

Until last month, I'd do the same on the way home from work. Probably silly, as I'm more than likely not saving much gas. Now, though, the A/C goes on as soon as I've driven a mile or so blowing the hot air out of the car.

 

[exranger06]

I don't usually like driving with the windows down, regardless of speed, but especially on the highway. I don't like wind noise. Wind noise isn't much of an issue driving around town, but you don't get enough of a breeze to stay cool. I'd rather have the windows up and AC on, MPG be darned. Although I do sometimes enjoy driving with the windows down on a cool evening. Even if I'm on the highway, I might leave just the sunroof open, if I'm driving my Accord.

All that being said, if I'm driving the Bronco, I have to have the windows down, even on the highway, since the AC currently doesn't work.

Not only that, but I also ripped out the old, nasty carpet and currently have a bare steel floor with no sound/heat insulation. So all the heat from the transmission just radiates up into the passenger compartment. The trans tunnel is literally too hot to touch after a 20 minute drive. There is still a lot of work to be done on that truck, but funds are limited right now. Even though I generally prefer having the windows up and AC on, and would almost never consider buying a convertible, I (oddly) think it would be fun to cruise around in the Bronco with the top off, and I plan to eventually buy a soft top for it.

 

[Bamaro]

I like the fresh air and being able to hear the outside (ie emergency vehicle sirens). Unless its very hot or humid or someone is in the back seat my windows are open.

 

[hattaresguy]

Its fun sometimes. When I drive up to VT or upstate NY in the fall its nice to blast the music with the windows down. I'm not in a rush so I set the cruise around 60 in the right lane and relax.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I never ever have my windows rolled up unless requested by a passenger. I love the feeling of having the windows down and the t-tops off,especially flying down the highway!! Gives me that "almost riding a motorcycle" feeling. I love the open air and absolutely hate being cooped up with everything rolled up and closed off.

I guess I'm one who loves "the driving experience" instead of dreading it as a point a to point b thing.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

I guess I'm one who loves "the driving experience" instead of dreading it as a point a to point b thing.

What does the driving experience have to do with having the windows rolled down? I usually have the windows rolled up, and I enjoy the driving experience just fine that way. I don't dread driving as a point a to point b thing.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

I guess I'm one who loves "the driving experience" instead of dreading it as a point a to point b thing.

What does the driving experience have to do with having the windows rolled down? I usually have the windows rolled up, and I enjoy the driving experience just fine that way. I don't dread driving as a point a to point b thing.


It has everything to do with it. I take it you hate riding on/driving motorcycles,boats,etc? Are you one of those people freak who out if they sweat a few drops,if the wind messes up their hair,causes their makeup to run,etc. Some people just plain hate being outside. I love it! I work outside 5 days a week,all day.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

I guess I'm one who loves "the driving experience" instead of dreading it as a point a to point b thing.

What does the driving experience have to do with having the windows rolled down? I usually have the windows rolled up, and I enjoy the driving experience just fine that way. I don't dread driving as a point a to point b thing.


It has everything to do with it. I take it you hate riding on/driving motorcycles,boats,etc? Are you one of those people freak who out if they sweat a few drops,if the wind messes up their hair,causes their makeup to run,etc. Some people just plain hate being outside. I love it! I work outside 5 days a week,all day.

Umm, no. I work outside every week and get drenched in sweat. I work on my own cars and get covered in dirt and grease and couldn't be happier, and I don't care about my hair getting messed up at all. I've never ridden a motorcycle, but I have ridden on boats many times and enjoy them. I defintely wouldn't say I hate being outside. But part of my driving experience involves rocking out to music, and I care about great sound quality. Wind noise DETRACTS from that experience, it doesn't add to it. Again I don't see how having the windows is essential to enjoying the driving experience.

 

[Nick1994]

It's too hot in Phoenix to even think about rolling down the windows.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

I guess I'm one who loves "the driving experience" instead of dreading it as a point a to point b thing.

What does the driving experience have to do with having the windows rolled down? I usually have the windows rolled up, and I enjoy the driving experience just fine that way. I don't dread driving as a point a to point b thing.


It has everything to do with it. I take it you hate riding on/driving motorcycles,boats,etc? Are you one of those people freak who out if they sweat a few drops,if the wind messes up their hair,causes their makeup to run,etc. Some people just plain hate being outside. I love it! I work outside 5 days a week,all day.

Umm, no. I work outside every week and get drenched in sweat. I work on my own cars and get covered in dirt and grease and couldn't be happier, and I don't care about my hair getting messed up at all. I've never ridden a motorcycle, but I have ridden on boats many times and enjoy them. I defintely wouldn't say I hate being outside. But part of my driving experience involves rocking out to music, and I care about great sound quality. Wind noise DETRACTS from that experience, it doesn't add to it. Again I don't see how having the windows is essential to enjoying the driving experience.


Haha then you'd hate riding with me I'll put the vert top down on the Mustang on 3hr highway drives :^) You'd be ready to throw me out of the driver's seat!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Convertible top down and windows up. Best compromise. Minimizes turbulence. Feels free. And on hot days AC blasting. On really cold days/nights heater full blast heated seats and blanket.

I hate to say this, but I actually enjoy it.

On a warm sunny afternoon of January/February driving my S2000 with top down windows up on Pacific Coast Highway, I was thinking about bitter cold in Midwest and Northeast and here I was enjoy warm air on hair and suntan on my arms.

There is no better place in Continental 48 states than Southern California for a convertible, we can have top down cruising up to 340-350 days a year, the remaining 15-25 days the top was up because it was either too hot(above 90F) or too cold(below 50-55F) or rain. The only better state for top down cruising is the Paradise Hawaii.

 

[Scum_Frog]

It all depends on how I feel that day...I've even been known to open the sun roof all the way and blast the AC.

 

[turtlevette]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
or too cold(below 50-55F) or rain. The only better state for top down cruising is the Paradise Hawaii.


I drive around with top down in the 40s. Its exhilarating.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I hate windows down on the highway and would never own a convertible.

In fact I'll probably be the only Wrangler owner who doesn't remove the top. LOL


Actually, convertibles are far quieter than a car with windows down, even if you have one open per side to prevent some buffeting.

At least this is the case with mine...

Also, coupes that are pilliarless (e.g. my 135i with top up and my 300 CD) front and back quarter glass down, are quieter than cars with pilliars (sedans or coupes) for whatever reason.

I cant stand wind noise personally, which is why Im sensitive to it...

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: Scum_Frog
It all depends on how I feel that day...I've even been known to open the sun roof all the way and blast the AC.


Many years ago I had an 86 300ZX turbo w/t-tops. In the middle of the winter I'd have the t-tops off,bundled up in a heavy coat/gloves/the works,and have the heater on full blast haha!

 

[morepwr]

I have had cars with good working A/C but I rarely used it because I prefer the window down. It depends on the vehicle of course as some have good aerodynamics with the windows down so it doesn't get crazy windy and noisy.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: morepwr
I have had cars with good working A/C but I rarely used it because I prefer the window down. It depends on the vehicle of course as some have good aerodynamics with the windows down so it doesn't get crazy windy and noisy.


^^This. I can cruise 75-80 mph with the windows down and t-tops off and your hair won't even get windblown. Very quiet too,can easily correspond with a passenger.

 

[mike7139]

I have rode with people who have their AC on full Max while having all windows down on the freeway. They say they like both AC and windows down.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
or too cold(below 50-55F) or rain. The only better state for top down cruising is the Paradise Hawaii.

I drive around with top down in the 40s. Its exhilarating.

You're in Massachusetts, 40's in Jan-Feb is not so cold for you. I'm in So Cal and below 50-55 is cold for us, I usually had light jacket on when it dipped below 70F, and with top down I had the heater at max.

Cool air blowing over head with warm air on leg and feet is really exhilarating.

 

[turtlevette]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
or too cold(below 50-55F) or rain. The only better state for top down cruising is the Paradise Hawaii.

I drive around with top down in the 40s. Its exhilarating.

You're in Massachusetts, 40's in Jan-Feb is not so cold for you. I'm in So Cal and below 50-55 is cold for us, I usually had light jacket on when it dipped below 70F, and with top down I had the heater at max.

Cool air blowing over head with warm air on leg and feet is really exhilarating.


Jan Feb? I'm talking spring and fall. Jan would be frost bite territory. It'd freeze the water in your eyeballs.