Cool your ride

There are many environmental considerations you need to keep in mind about your vehicles and driving. In this article, however, we are only going to look at cooling your vehicle -- a very timely topic as summer approaches!

Question: Should I be using air conditioning or opening my windows to cool my car?
Answer: Depends on how fast you're going!
~Driving around town: Definitely windows down. Whereas using the AC decreases your vehicle's fuel efficiency by up to 20% at all speeds, "drag" reducing your mileage from having your windows down while driving around town is not a concern.
~Driving on the Interstate: AC. Drag does start to have a role in this decision when you are traveling at high speeds. At 45 mph +, the reduction in efficiency can be up to 10%. At 55 mph, 20%. So be sure not to speed regardless!
[More information about this abounds on the Internet. One source is here though, another here.]

At all speeds, however, it is better to do neither. How do we, especially in the South, pull this off?

Question: How can I keep my parked car cooler?
Answer: Prevent your car from heating up so much in the first place! Always use a sun visor/screen in your windshield. They're also available for side and back windows at lots of places (AutoZone, etc.) Also, make a better effort to park under trees or otherwise in the shade. It makes a big difference too.

Question: What should I look for when buying a new vehicle?
Answer: Color! The lighter the color of your car, the better for reducing solar heat gain. You want as close to white as possible. (Luckily, in America white is the most popular car color, with silver in third place.) Also, look for improvements in the glass used for vehicle windows in the near future. Or consider tinted windows. For more info, read this.