Is it just me or do less people drive with their windows down?

[-]

thr0waway_str82jail@reddit

I would have my windows down but the pollen is bad outside AND I want to avoid the wind blowing the spider (that hides in the side mirror) on me

[-]

In my case it's the pollen. And the bugs. And the dead animals. And The people smoking in their cars. Riding with the windows down was hardly ever a pleasure to me. I talked myself out of a convertible because of these reasons.

[-]

Max_W_@reddit

Bugs? Those still exist?

[-]

Weird_Squirrel_8382@reddit

They are all in Ohio

[-]

Womeisyourfwiend@reddit

I’m definitely not a windows down person. Having allergies has made me that way, but I also just prefer the ac blowing on me.

[-]

Plastic-Kangaroo-354@reddit

I blame pollen

[-]

SunshineofMyLyfetime@reddit

My windows are always down, and my sunroof is open as often as possible!

[-]

MisRandomness@reddit

People today are so privileged to almost always have AC in their cars. Back in our day we just sweated our asses off with the windows down.

[-]

jjmawaken@reddit

I think these days you can get good gas mileage with the air on because with the window down it's less aerodynamic.

[-]

Eziekiel23_20@reddit

Unless manufacturers have implemented some new control logic Im unaware of, the decreased effectiveness of AC at idle always has to do with reduced airflow over the condenser at low/no speed, not a fuel saving measure.

Coefficient of drag doesnt change much between windows up or down. AC compressors are a constant parasite.

[-]

TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

This has been a thing since variable compressors hit the scene. At idle, the pump operates at a lower displacement which pulls less load from the engine with the drawback of less head pressure through the condenser. Cars have had powerful condenser fans to take care of airflow through the condenser at low speeds for 40 years now.

[-]

Eziekiel23_20@reddit

None of the newer cars w/ var disp compressors Ive been in have this symptom. 🤷‍♂️

The condition of the condenser, restricted airflow from debris or something, and many modern trucks not equipped w/ electric fans will.

[-]

TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

It's definitely a thing if the heat load is high and you push the system. If it's 100 degrees out, you're at max a/c on recirc, and you are idling in traffic for 5 minutes without moving, your vent temps will go up. Some cars will have a selectable "eco" mode that does this with an option to select max a/c that will not limit the compressor displacement at idle. Some cars do not have this option, and default to the "eco" logic regardless of the heat load.

You can't beat physics. If the compressor isn't pumping, then the evaporator isn't absorbing the heat load.

[-]

ToothZealousideal297@reddit

My car is made just so that if you go over 15mph with a window down, the air starts to oscillate in a weird way and you get this “whump whump whump” effect that becomes deafening and uncomfortable to feel (air pressure). It’s something they never would’ve allowed through the design phase in years past, but nowadays it’s expected you’ll have the AC working and on through the life of the car.

[-]

Livid-Tumbleweed@reddit

Yes!! This is exactly why I don’t do it! Doesn’t matter how many windows or what amount of up or down the womp womp sound hurts my ears. Which sucks because I loved to drive with the windows down

[-]

Gutter_Snoop@reddit

Usually you can solve that by cracking a couple of windows and playing with the gaps and it'll go away

It has to do more with cars generally being more solidly airtight nowadays than with any over-arching design differences from 10+ years ago.

[-]

Adventurous_Pin_344@reddit

Or there are many of us who don't even use gas to power out cars, and use of A/C doesn't really affect kWH/gallon.

[-]

IAm5toned@reddit

🤔 I'm not sure that you understand how energy works.

[-]

Adventurous_Pin_344@reddit

Oh, I do, but the effect of the A/C is relatively minimal though, so it doesn't jump out as a major drain on the battery. Yes, I know it has an effect, but it's minimal enough that it's hard to see a big drain on the battery.

[-]

avalonfaith@reddit

Ok fancy pants we hear you.

[-]

Drachen1065@reddit

I saw a post by a race team saying they did some tests and the AC being on cost something like 1 horsepower when on in their car.

The was something like a BRZ/GT86.

[-]

Moist_Rule9623@reddit

That’s been tested. Highway speeds kinda but not huge fuel economy difference from the drag having windows/sunroof open; around town at 30-40mph no noticeable impact on fuel efficiency

[-]

Pitiful-Pension-6535@reddit

Over ≈50 mph the aerodynamic drag hurts fuel efficiency more than air conditioning does

[-]

Moist_Rule9623@reddit

You agree with people funny

[-]

Gutter_Snoop@reddit

Still speed dependent. Under 40mph and any mpg loss from aerodynamic drag is completely negligible.

[-]

TrustAffectionate966@reddit

I drive mostly highway - 80MPH 💀

[-]

nrek00@reddit

I've seen this mythbusters episode and it only slightly matters at higher speeds

[-]

Just-Try-2533@reddit

Right. I have seen people who have proven that using AC doesn’t decrease your mileage like it used to.

[-]

That_Weird_Mom81@reddit

My son just called me out on this earlier today. I dont know why I converted to a windows up kind of person.

[-]

ProperBar4339@reddit

I’m def windows down, but not right now (and neither is anyone else around town). The pollen is wicked bad this year

[-]

wookieesgonnawook@reddit

I haven't driven with my windows down except in very rare circumstances for at least 10 years.

[-]

minussized@reddit

Windows down, music up. If the temp is above 50 and it’s not raining my windows are down. I like it a lot better with my heated seats, but even in my old crank window Ford Ranger with no functioning heat or AC, they were down whenever the weather permitted.

[-]

Inspi@reddit

I'm in south Florida. Windows up, A/C blasting, all year.

[-]

qwerty-game@reddit

I love windows down on my way home. I have to worry about what my hair will look like when I am going somewhere.

[-]

Shakarix@reddit

Here in NC its pollen time. So if you have your windows down its bad news

[-]

pushdose@reddit

I drive an EV and am a 2 EV household. The smell of exhaust kinda makes me cringe now when I’m out on the roads. I also don’t smoke anymore for like 15 years, that was a major reason to keep the windows open. My cars have automatic climate control which is really efficient, and the Tesla especially has a great cabin air filter.

However, reason 1 is I live in the hot SW desert. The air quality sucks at baseline.

[-]

originalxnuttah@reddit

And it’s bad for efficiency.

[-]

Wunjo26@reddit

What I want to know is why the hell there’s people going 70 mph on the highway with their windows fully down!? I literally saw someone doing it a few months ago on the highway in a blizzard

[-]

jbenze@reddit

I didn’t have a car with working AC until 2008 so I’m all about the windows when I’m not on the parkway.

[-]

DetN8@reddit

Yeah, I'm a windows down kind of guy. AC wasn't always standard so most of our cars growing up had what my mom called "460 air conditioning": 4 windows down, 60 mph.

[-]

Wild-Sky-4807@reddit

I really think that's the difference. AC wasn't always standard. It's standard now.

[-]

gonyere@reddit

Yeah, even my mom's civic from 1995 didn't have ac, and indeed crank windows.

Also though, far less people smoke, so you don't have smokers with windows down, even if just cracked year round.

[-]

Thereal_maxpowers@reddit

The little triangle windows were the max setting if you had them!

[-]

Candid-Inspection-97@reddit

I love having the windows down, my asthma hates when I am stuck in traffic and the person in front of me is smoking like a chimney and it hits me full on.

[-]

TrinityKilla82@reddit

We had 262 air conditioning. 2 windows 60 miles an hour with 2 cigarettes smoking in the car.

[-]

Candid-Inspection-97@reddit

Still have a scar on my thigh from a cigarette that was thrown out the window and hit me in the backseat!

[-]

Pigeonofthesea8@reddit

Two feet on the dashboard, and two out the window

[-]

DetN8@reddit

Windows down, I didn't mind. But rainy days where just the one window was cracked made me want to barf.

[-]

Procrasturbating@reddit

Still traumatized from all the cherries flying into my face in the back seat.

[-]

Ablairy@reddit

Hahahahahah one time I woke up on fire 🤣 I was so mad because the cherry melted a hole in my favorite jeans.

[-]

Recent_Permit2653@reddit

When I worked parts, I always heard it as the 2/55 air conditioning. 2 windows down and drive 55.

[-]

Alone-Chemical-1160@reddit

Yeah, a lot of places moved 55 to 60. Im happy for that just on the fact that its really easy to calculate time and distance. A mile a minute is pretty great for that.

[-]

bassjam1@reddit

It was 260 AC for me since Dad drove a coup.

[-]

Mochigood@reddit

My mom had a little 80s 2 door/ hatchback Ford Escort with plastic seats. I do not know how little kid me survived summers back there. I should have died of heatstroke and skin loss to those seats.

[-]

bassjam1@reddit

Dad had a Chevy Citation. I mostly remember pinching and burning my hands on the seatbelt buckles. Mom's Celebrity had the same issue.

[-]

Alone-Chemical-1160@reddit

Holy hell i forgot about those! My mom had one until someone caused the first car accident i was ever in (still in a car seat, vague memories from it).

[-]

Occams_RZR900@reddit

Chevy Citation and Celebrity, two car models my parents owned that I haven’t thought about for years!

[-]

mycallousedcock@reddit

Yup. All the AC you can roll down.

[-]

Claim312ButAct847@reddit

And by roll down we mean physically crank the window down.

[-]

Peanut083@reddit

My 15 year old was hella confused when he saw an old car with window crank handles recently. The look he gave me when I told him that those were standard when I was growing up was like I’d I’d told him I’d grown up in a third world country.

Meanwhile, I was amazed back in 2002 when I bought a Suzuki Ignis brand new that it came with electric windows as standard in the front. That felt really fancy to my 19 year old self! The rear windows still had crank handles, though.

[-]

WindowlessGloom@reddit

Sounds like a buffet of air.

[-]

Deviant502@reddit

We grew up with the 455 model

[-]

DetN8@reddit

Haha. Sammy Hagar would like a word.

[-]

Left-Landscape-3890@reddit

I rock windows down as often as I can. I also have a topless roadster thing that is an absolute blast and getting much use in the nice spring weather.

[-]

ohb78@reddit

Can’t stand the noise of traffic

[-]

StevieV61080@reddit

I have absolutely noticed this, as well, OP. It got up to 70 in our area in January one day and you better believe I had my windows down and the sunroof open blasting FM radio as I drove (but of course did the respectful thing of turning it down in town and at stoplights).

I was the only car with the windows down and/or seemingly looking at other drivers. It was weird.

[-]

Indubitalist@reddit

Glad to find someone who agrees with OP. I absolutely think people put windows down less when the weather is nice. I even see it at car line at the school picking up the kids. It's 65-70 degrees outside, just an absolutely beautiful day, we're all sitting there for 10-15 minutes and I'm the only one with the windows down. Dozens of cars, people in their little cocoons, ignoring the world around them because they're staring at their phones. It sucks.

That scene in the matrix where people were all living in vats with tubes coming out of their backs, conscious only in a digital simulation, that wasn't far off from where it seems people want to be.

[-]

TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

That scene in the matrix where people were all living in vats with tubes coming out of their backs, conscious only in a digital simulation, that wasn't far off from where it seems people want to be.

Yup, that's valid. There are many people who literally don't care what happens around them as long as they have their screen in front of their face.

I think we're going to end up like the humans in Wall-E. Big fat blobs floating around on our scooters with a screen 3 inches from our face.

[-]

TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

I have noticed this as well. I have ALWAYS been a windows-down guy any time the weather is inbetween 65 and 80. I can't explain why, but people staying enclosed in their cars with beautiful weather is definitely a thing now. Maybe it has something to do with the proclivity to stay indoors more nowadays, because we have so many entertainment devices now that you don't even need to leave your home. And people just carry that habit of being closed up indoors into their cars.

One thing I've also noticed: Nobody opens the windows to their house or uses fans anymore. When the weather's nice, I have all my windows open and fans on circulating the refreshing air through the house. But I know so many people who will still keep their home sealed up during beautiful days and do not own a single fan. When you go inside their home, it's like you're in a coffin.

[-]

progny@reddit

I feel like even 10-15 year-old cars have much better AC now than cars did when I was younger.

[-]

TP_Crisis_2020@reddit

Cars in the 80's and 90's actually had the best a/c when they still used R12 refrigerant. Then, in the early 90's when they switched to R134, a/c performance dropped.

[-]

jenesia-CakeEatnNPC-@reddit

my 2012 4cyl just entered the chat lol ice cold a/c - gota turn it off to climb a hill!

[-]

Tygie19@reddit

20 year old cars can have very good air con. I had a 2012 Ford Territory that had better air con than my current 2016 Toyota Corolla. The Ford had a shit engine compared to my Toyota but the climate control was very good. The Toyota’s aircon works fine, it’s just a more basic model of car as far as the accessories goes.

[-]

Stock-Blackberry-812@reddit

Every ford I’ve ever owned after 98 has had killer ac compared to other models idk just seemed like they moved way more air than others did

[-]

Coitus_lnterruptus@reddit

We always had the windows down because there was always someone smoking. Also, the car was a piece of shit and didn't have a/c.

[-]

ancilla1998@reddit

🎵piece of shit car ... I got a piece of shit car🎵

[-]

Alone-Chemical-1160@reddit

"Diesel gas suck my ass"

[-]

Massive-Resort-8573@reddit

I spent my entire childhood inhaling my father's secondhand smoke and coughing my head off.

[-]

CarbonInTheWind@reddit

Occasionally someone would flick ashes up front and they'd fly back into the face of someone in the back. And every once in a while the cherry would pop off their cigarette and fly back and burn a hole in the crotch of someones pants. Good times.

[-]

Miserable-Okra-8787@reddit

Ha that’s why it was always so important for the non smokers to call shotgun in my car

[-]

fuji_appl@reddit (OP)

Makes sense because it felt like more cars had cigarette lighters than they had AC.

[-]

the_ballmer_peak@reddit

I used to have a car that was such a piece of shit I had to run the heater to keep it from overheating. So, on a hot day, it was windows down and heater on.

[-]

Coitus_lnterruptus@reddit

Oh yeah, thermostats in the 80's/90's cars were always temperamental and just shitty. I think I had to replace the thermostat in my first car (80's firebird) twice in one year because of overheating problems. Same thing, I would have to cruise around with the heater on when it would start overheating.

[-]

Vern1138@reddit

Right, I can't recall any vehicles from when I was a kid that had a functioning AC system.

[-]

Alone-Chemical-1160@reddit

Depends on the density of other cars for me. I enjoy the windows down until the lack of emissions enforcement reminds me how horrible it is to breathe in petro exhaust. Especially if there are dbags in jacked up diesels belching black dust everywhere.

[-]

rootoo@reddit

Most of my commute is on a highway and even if i'm going slow, its just exhaust and brake dust and loud ass trucks out there. If i'm on side streets or driving through the country, you betcha.

[-]

nobearable@reddit

This is it for me. Unless it's a country road, I didn't want the windows down. Too loud and polluted.

[-]

MuggleoftheCoast@reddit

Windows down and music playing are mutually exclusive for me, and I tend to go with the music unless it's a really nice day

[-]

OkBaconBurger@reddit

I remember my dad driving us to see a movie at the theater just so we could sit in AC for two hours. We had a house fan and old cars at the time. The end.

[-]

jenesia-CakeEatnNPC-@reddit

i feel like this deserves a "cool story, bro" so here ya go!

[-]

OkBaconBurger@reddit

Pretty sure I just had an old man rambling moment. I was up all night with a sick kid so that’s my excuse 😅

[-]

Sterlina@reddit

I almost always drive with my windows down! I love it. Even in the hottest weather (FL), I prefer windows down.

Windows up halfway for kinda cold weather (heat on the feet!) and windows up all the way and heat on full blast when it's like. 40s or less. 🥶

[-]

Practical-Plenty907@reddit

Not only was a/c not standard, we were really taught to think about our environmental impact. Pee Wee Herman, the hole in the ozone layer, chlorofluorocarbons, the styrofoam issue, the great pacific garbage patch, etc., taught us to think about our “carbon footprint” and whether ‘whatever’ was worth hurting the environment for.

[-]

senbenitoo@reddit

It's not just in the car either... people be sealing up their homes & running A/C instead of letting all that spring air into their houses 🙄

[-]

teriKatty@reddit

I only do if it feels nice outside or my air conditioning is not working proficiently.

[-]

Recent_Permit2653@reddit

Yeah, I rarely see windows down, but I also don’t live in the same climate zone as I did growing up. Summers here are hardcore, humid and also hot (East Texas). But I’ve always been a windows down guy. I deliberately didn’t use ac in the car after moving here so I could acclimatize. My last two cars in fact had air conditioning, but blew seals because I never used it.

For me it’s more than just comfort. I kinda like taking in all the vagaries of what I’m passing by. Maybe it’s a dairy farm. Maybe they’ve got aromatic flowers. Maybe I’m going over a lake. They all feel and smell different. Not always nice, but I feel like I’m participating in my surroundings a bit more. That seems strange to people when I mention it, and I don’t really get why you’d just want to be sealed in as much as possible all day, every day.

[-]

alwaus@reddit

I miss cent windows, the OG AC

[-]

rainy-brain@reddit

I've never had a car with working AC and still don't so my windows have always been and are still always down. xD

[-]

rocokohaku@reddit

I can’t hear my music clearly with the windows rolled down, and I also don’t want to bother others with said music.

[-]

Nitetigrezz@reddit

I've noticed the same. AC in cars is far more common than it used to be. We still occasionally turn it off and get the windows down though.

[-]

Spartan04@reddit

Back then not all cars came with AC, it was an option. Now it’s standard. Plus almost all cars now have a cabin air filter so the air that’s pulled in is filtered. So if you have allergies like I do keeping the windows closed and letting the pollen get filtered out is better than open windows.

The gas savings might also not be as much as you think. Opening the windows makes the car less aerodynamic, so depending on speed you might be using more gas to move the car with the windows down vs what the AC would use.

[-]

wiserTyou@reddit

If it's between 40 and 80 and it's not raining, my window is down.

[-]

EarlBeforeSwine@reddit

I’m from west Texas. Open windows means getting sand-blasted.

If I have AC, I’m using it.

[-]

Ok-Yam-4663@reddit

I noticed that!

[-]

Xyzzydude@reddit

I like windows down but …

Modern cars have better aerodynamics but a side effect of that is they much less pleasant to roll down the windows. You get “booming” or weird airflow patterns.

Also traffic is thicker and more roads are freeways, it’s no fun to listen to the tire noise of the cars in the other lanes. Or idle in the summer heat at a stoplight surrounded by other cars.

[-]

megamanx4321@reddit

Fewer cars had ac or had working ac back in the day. If you're going highway speeds you'll actually save gas using ac over having the windows down.

[-]

cliqclaqstepback@reddit

I’ve been able to afford cars that have functional AC for the last 15 years. I never drive with windows down anymore.

[-]

Aggravating_Finish_6@reddit

I think this is a personality not an age thing. I wanted to drive with the windows down and sun roof open last week and my boomer mom complained so much! My Xennial husband also hates it. I have friends who love it like me though. I did used to do it more when I was younger though, I thought it saved money but tbh I’m not sure it ever did.

[-]

Realistic-Action-492@reddit

Windows down for me almost all the time. In the winter I’ll open just sunroof and maybe crack a window. Give me that fresh air.

[-]

CheerfullyCursed@reddit

I only roll the windows down on the fast roads so I can blow out all the dog hair.

[-]

Realistic-Action-492@reddit

I call this “furnado”!

[-]

bluemitersaw@reddit

I have a husky who travels with me a good bit. It's, I do this whenever the weather allows. A swirling cloud of white dog fur all through my car.

[-]

neonbrownkoopashell@reddit

Me too!

[-]

tabrazin84@reddit

Oh… ima try this. 😂

[-]

jenesia-CakeEatnNPC-@reddit

it actually takes more gas now to have windows down due to wind resistance which, personally, is a large contributing factor (plus my hair in my face constantly) to why i prefer the A/C!

[-]

Peanut083@reddit

I get mad wind hammering when I wind my windows down while driving, and I also get that feeling in my ears that you get on takeoff and landing in planes.

[-]

hbi2k@reddit

Fewer.

[-]

Massive-Resort-8573@reddit

I'm horribly allergic to pollen and am suffering immensely right now. Having windows open in the car or at home is impossible for me. It's very common this time of year.

[-]

thegholahayt@reddit

City's too loud. Can't hear my podcast talking about a gruesome murder.

[-]

lastchance14@reddit

Noise canceling AirPods make window down driving possible.

[-]

void_method@reddit

I have my windows up because, while I listen to the best music (GWAR, Psychostick, Nekrogoblikon) I do not feel the need to vibrate strangers with my excellent musical taste.

I was raised right, you see.

[-]

MjolnirStone@reddit

Depends. If they have a subwoofer so loud that it messes with your heart, those windows are down.

[-]

texan01@reddit

Depends on the car, my SUVs have miserable aerodynamics for running with the windows down, my 77 Chevy and Ford both are fine with the windows down all the way up to about 85mph.

The 2005 and 2012 SUVs will set up a helaicous drumming if you don’t roll the back windows down and induce a hurricane in the cab, the 77s it’s just a relaxing gentle breeze due to the brick aerodynamics forcing the wind further away from the car.

[-]

-Odi-Et-Amo-@reddit

I was just thinking about this the other day. I recently purchased a Wrangler and so far I’ve been “rolling” the windows down. Maybe it’s the rustic nature of the car because prior to this, I haven’t had a window down in prob 15 years lol.

[-]

Natural-Honeydew5950@reddit

I opened my windows the other day and my asshole mom asked if I was having a hot flash. I said no, I just like fresh air - is that so weird??

[-]

William_Shaftner@reddit

*fewer

[-]

Vash_85@reddit

It can be 110 out and I'll still drive with the windows down if I'm on an open road or back road... Rush hour in the city though? Not so much.

[-]

rogaladriel@reddit

I think it's much less common. And I'm someone who keeps the windows up if I can help it at all. I am deaf, wear hearing aids, and drive my family around frequently. I need to have some chance of hearing people. And also the wind noise hurts my head. I'll drive with my windows down when I don't have people in the car with me and I'm in residential areas because the wind noise isn't so overwhelming.

[-]

OkAssignment6163@reddit

Depends where you live. It was decent driving/walking weather here in Atlanta, GA.

But also, choking pollen, that GA is known for.

[-]

No-Memory-2781@reddit

I love cranking (yes actual crank) down the window and sticking my arm out the window of my 2010 Ranger. For some reason it doesn’t have the same feel in our other car, a Honda, but I do like to open the sunroof in that one!

[-]

backstop13@reddit

I drive a 21 year old wrangler with AC but it guzzles gas so bad when it’s on I drive without it, so either my windows are down or my doors are off unless it’s raining.

[-]

peripateticsaskie@reddit

Fewer.

[-]

Milakovich@reddit

Is it just me, or do new cars have some sort of issue with the back windows down? I feel like it wreaks havoc on my inner ear.

[-]

Traditional_Entry183@reddit

Im told its the change in aerodynamics. With a lot of cars now, when the windows are down and I drive more than a very slow speed, I feel like my brain is going to implode from the vibration.

[-]

radarthreat@reddit

And mess up my hair?

[-]

Architorture_66@reddit

The gas mileage goals are designed with a car body that has the windows up. You put them down and the aerodynamics are significantly altered reducing your mpg rating.

Just about the only time it would be different is in stop and go traffic, which then you get no or very little airflow. So thus you roll up windows anyway to get that A/C going and reducing interior heat levels.

Temperate days, driving stop and go city routes will work. But these days of global warming (how ironic) make those times harder to find.

[-]

Moons_of_Moons@reddit

That's how the pollen gets you. Don't be a victim of tree-sperm

[-]

littleyellowbike@reddit

I have never enjoyed driving with the windows down (fine hair problems). I am perfectly content enjoying reliable AC in modern cars.

Unless I'm having a hot flash and it's conveniently below freezing outside. Windows dowwwwwwn baby 🏂🏼

[-]

Final_Comparison9727@reddit

Contrary to intuition, AC + windows up is more fuel efficient. Open windows turn your cabin into a braking parachute.

Not sure though that's the only reason people stopped doing it (noise, bugs?), but I like to drive around with open windows.

[-]

LonelyAsLostKeys@reddit

I hate the air blowing in my face, but I will often roll down the back windows.

[-]

Certain_Site_8764@reddit

I think Mythbusters proved it doesn't really save enough gas to be noticeable.

[-]

Gwendolyn-NB@reddit

Good question, I'm in a different environment than where I grew up, and here the window for open windows is a lot smaller due to being too cold OR too damn hot.

But I would say, I do notice more people with windows up now vs when I was ground up in general, but also not all cars had AC when I was growing up.

[-]

fuji_appl@reddit (OP)

Cold weather (up to a certain point) I actually love blasting the heat on with the windows down. It’s weird, I know.

[-]

desrevermi@reddit

I'll roll my windows up (mostly) if it rains.

Fully up if I pass by a place notorious for severe pollen.

[-]

Dazzling-Emu-6054@reddit

I was just remarking about this to my family yesterday! We had a gorgeous evening last week: 70 degrees, perfect weather. I saw only two other vehicles with their windows down on my trip and and from picking my daughter up from a friend’s house, about 8 miles round trip. It felt so odd to me.

[-]

Hectate@reddit

I want windows down. I just don’t enjoy driving into a pervasive cloud of weed smoke.

[-]

Echterspieler@reddit

Remember when certain car windows would whistle if you had them down slightly in just the right position?

[-]

fuji_appl@reddit (OP)

The whistle or weird vibration. You always gotta find the ideal window setting that creates an ideal air flow. I always have presets in my head for certain speeds.

[-]

LineImpossible3958@reddit

On most new cars using the AC doesn’t really use more gas. I like windows down up to a certain speed.

[-]

evolutionxtinct@reddit

Ya cuz the coal rollers I hate it, have windows down then they roll coal down the road pisses me off!

[-]

rutgersftw@reddit

I drive a Jeep. It’s an everything down/open situation unless it’s raining hard.

[-]

_ism_@reddit

mine are always up now that i quit smoking

[-]

Ryokurin@reddit

Most cars made in the last 20 years can handle the RPM hit you get running the compressor better than cars from the 80s and 90s If it's actually is more efficient is a question more on the speed. Under 55, rolling down the window is more efficient. Over 55, AC is more efficient as your back window isn't acting as drag.

[-]

rharper38@reddit

I do it all the time. Unless it's super hot, the windows are down and roof is open. I will even drive with the roof open on nights when it's cold, just to get the air.

[-]

Tygie19@reddit

I don’t like having my hair all messed up, so I barely ever open them. I’ll open them if I have to sit in the parked car for a period of time and the weather is nice.

[-]

JennJoy77@reddit

I love driving with my windows down, but feels like 50% of the time I end up at a stoplight next to or behind someone smoking weed, and it doesn't bother me morally but the scent makes me 🤢🤢🤢 so I have to roll my window back up.

[-]

nola_mike@reddit

I only drive with my windows down when it's cool outside since I live in a hot climate. I damn sure don't drive with the windows down in the heat and humidity of Louisiana summer

[-]

Revolutionary_Gas551@reddit

I feel I may be taking things a bit too far…

[-]

Graywulff@reddit

MJ5?

[-]

Revolutionary_Gas551@reddit

It’s a ‘48 CJ2A.

[-]

MetalEnthusiast83@reddit

I only really rolled my windows down because I smoked. I quit like 15 years ago. Shit is loud and I want to hear my music so I just use my AC.

[-]

ILikeBeans86@reddit

I live in the south. Usually by the time it's warm enough to not use the heat it's too hot to put the window down

[-]

Ocron145@reddit

I like my windows down, but there’s always that car that you get behind with the exhaust smelling like that single car is polluting the whole world it seems.

[-]

casdoodle527@reddit

Windows down chic here unless I’m on the interstate. If i take the interstate to work it’s 10 minutes, back roads it takes 15. I plan accordingly with the weather 😅

[-]

rinky79@reddit

It seems like cars are not designed to ventilate efficiently via open windows these days. If I open the front windows, my hair gets blown all over the place but it's a very chaotic wind, not a directional breeze past my face. If I only open the back windows, there's a weird air pressure resonance thing and it feels like my eardrums are going to rupture. If I open the sunroof and back windows, there's a nice directional breeze from front to back, but it's TOO efficient and everything in the backseat will blow out the windows onto the highway, including jackets and reusable grocery bags.

[-]

Flimsy_Equal8841@reddit

I leave my windows up. It uses the same amount of gas and I don't have to listen to somebody else's music.

[-]

ParsnipFull1401@reddit

You can tell the vehicles that kept the windows down because the headliners are torn.

[-]

prebisch78@reddit

*fewer

[-]

Ajstross@reddit

*hat tip to

[-]

TheWearySnout@reddit

I'm a windows down guy unless it is stupid fucking hot out.

[-]

linemanshandset@reddit

I generally opt for the windows down over AC...but my AC doesn't work very well so there is that.

[-]

moles-on-parade@reddit

If it's above 50⁰ and not raining, especially if I remembered my sunscreen, the entire top is down 🤘

[-]

lurk3141592653589793@reddit

I wasn't allergic to everything back then!

[-]

St3llarEcho1@reddit

Windows down is for teenagers with nothing to lose and no sense of how loud 70mph wind actually is on your ears. Now I just want the quiet hum of AC and the satisfaction of not arriving everywhere looking like I survived a tornado. We got old, it's fine.

[-]

Eziekiel23_20@reddit

Drove all across the western US in my late 20s on numerous trips over a couple years. All with windows down at interstate speeds. Only later did I realize some of my hearing loss could very likely be attributed to it.

[-]

BarracudaFine5403@reddit

I love driving with my windows down, but I end up having to roll them up often because of exhaust or noise from other cars. Give me a country road, some good music, and the breeze blowing my thoughts away... that can fix anything.

[-]

TinyRedGuy@reddit

I used to love it, but a married a lady with pretty bad allergies, ah well

[-]

Maleficent-Web2281@reddit

That’s me too; windows down if I’m alone but with the wife and they have to be up, mainly due to allergies and the hair mussing.

[-]

MissIndependent577@reddit

I just commented about my hair. Wind will turn it into a tangled mess real quick.

[-]

MissIndependent577@reddit

I did windows down a lot when younger, but also my mom smoked at the time, so was trying to get as much fresh air as I could. I didn't care about my hair being a mess then, cause it almost always was. Now, my hair would look like a rats nest if I drove with the windows down. If it's not windy, and I'm not driving at high speeds, I may have them down around town. Otherwise, they're up with the fresh air coming in through the vents or AC is on.

[-]

don51181@reddit

The climate control in cars is so nice and it quieter. Plus where I live it is either very hot or cold.

[-]

Rhianna83@reddit

I like my windows down with AC blasting 😆

[-]

BraveLittleToaster8@reddit

At least where I live I find that people are more rude now than ever before... I sometimes find myself putting the windows up because I don't want to hear the jerks beeping and swearing.

[-]

GoodMorningDye@reddit

Same. Was driving the other day and had both windows down and like 99% of folks didn't. Such a nice day in the 60s with Sun in the PNW. I didn't understand folks one bit anymore.

[-]

Equal_Question_4594@reddit

I’ve been wondering this, too. I think not having fresh air is so weird. I have my car window at least cracked in all weather and times of the year / temps. My downstairs neighbor is weird and never opens his apartment windows. He’s in his early to mid 20s, if that has anything to do with it. If it’s 40 degrees out and he wants to cool down his apartment, he’ll put the AC on instead of opening a window for a minute 🤔

[-]

LoudWhispererr@reddit

Love the windows down. Seems like every single car nowadays isn’t designed for it though. Good luck finding a new vehicle that doesn’t have terrible wind buffeting with them down.

[-]

IntheOlympicMTs@reddit

My parents always had older cars by choice growing up. None had AC so we always had a window down. I doubt you can get a car without AC now. Plus I like to ice cold in the car.

[-]

lavasca@reddit

I forget that rolling down my windows is an option.

[-]

FizzGigg2000@reddit

Depends on where I’m living. Here in the midwest you often risk all sorts of fertilizer, manure, field work, etc. that get into the air. Most of the rest of the year is too hot or too cold. On the east coast I was way more likely to have windows open.

[-]

Mr_Gray@reddit

Plastic/Trauma surgeons are begging you to keep all limbs inside the car.

[-]

Texas_Kimchi@reddit

I get extremely car sick so the windows always have to be down.

[-]

lemmylemonlemming@reddit

I'm a windows down/top down whenever I can type guy. I'm also a suns out/guns out guy so if I can put the top down and ride around like an asshole with no shirt on, I'm a happy guy.

[-]

theOnlyDaive@reddit

It's rare enough that I can have mine down and sing along at full volume with complete confidence that no one is listening. :)

[-]

GreenZebra23@reddit

I've noticed this too. If the weather is at all nice I always have my windows down, unless I'm on the highway and it's too loud, or the wind is beating me to death

[-]

inspector_ninety_9@reddit

Way fewer people drive with windows down now. On the whole, society has gone pretty soft and cannot endure any kind of discomfort.

I live in Texas and drive with the windows down every day, year round, unless it’s raining. If it’s cold out, I’ll blast the heater on my feet. Feels great to breathe cold air and have warm toes.

[-]

CatsEqualLife@reddit

I love to sing in the car, so the windows pretty much have to stay up…

[-]

pogulup@reddit

My dad swore that the windows down and AC off was better gas mileage. I disagreed. We had a cross country road trip with just him and I in the summer. Did a stretch with the windows down and one with the AC on. I won. I don't remember the difference but it was noticeable.

[-]

Sorry_Im_Trying@reddit

I'm a former smoker. So for the last 25 years I've always had my windows down.
I can't because I can actually smell cigarettes now, and they're just awful.
But I'm very sensitive to it, so I can smell it five cars away.

[-]

Discobastard@reddit

I play my music loud

You shouldn't have to put up with my music

[-]

WhatsTheAnswerDude@reddit

Pollen....

[-]

sleepy_unicorn40@reddit

I love a nice day, with the windows down, music up, driving around. Unfortunately, I live in an area that's 90 to 100 degrees throughout most of the year so my windows are not down most of the time. Can't wait to move away!

[-]

I_like_flowers_@reddit

i have waist length hair and a husband with allergies, so we're typically a windows up family.

[-]

OkBiscotti1140@reddit

I used to. I don’t anymore. But, I’m a magnet for weirdos and the random guy walking up to my car who asked “would you like to have sex with me” last year while I was stopped at a red light was the final straw for me.

[-]

cranberries87@reddit

I was thinking about this the other day. I don’t see many sunroofs used anymore either.

[-]

BeBopBarr@reddit

Windows down does a number on my ears unfortunately

[-]

Sea2Chi@reddit

My 1978 Plymouth horizon didn't have ac when I started driving.

[-]

Turbulent_Tale6497@reddit

Windows down, a/c on! My dad would never approve

[-]

Treadingresin@reddit

Windows down, music way up, forever young!!

[-]

80cartoonyall@reddit

If it's anywhere from 60 to 78 degrees outside and the road speed is 45 or under my windows are always down. When the temp gets too hot or cold and the road speeds around 50 and up windows are up.

But it's also probably due to less people smoking cigarettes.

[-]

Seraphtacosnak@reddit

So many people smoking weed and driving.

[-]

PoorGovtDoctor@reddit

I was windows down in my small town. Now that I’m in a big city, the combination of noise and car fumes makes me keep the windows up

[-]

78judds@reddit

I’m getting constant alerts about high pollen on my apps. No thanks. There like 4 days a year where that’s a possibility.

[-]

morganalefaye125@reddit

We usually forgo the AC in favor of windows down. I've noticed the same thing you have. Most people with their windows up. I didn't for awhile last summer, though because I got hit in the face with a hornet while going 60mph. That ruined it for a minute

[-]

Hillbillygeek1981@reddit

I grew up in an economic bracket where functioning air condition was a luxury and it didn't matter if it was a nice spring or fall day or 90 degrees, the windows and vents were all we had, so there weren't many people rolling around with windows up.

Now I have a new problem with enjoying windows down when the temperature is nice. The noise of an open window at high speed. I've never been fond of loud, constant sound and even at the age where most teenage boys were shoving $6000 stereos into $400 cars in an attempt to blow the window seals by pure sonic brute force, I preferred a quiet ride. Now, at 45, not only has my sensory issue been amplified, but modern vehicles are so well climate sealed that you get this shuddering concussion of air pressure and noise at anything above about 25mph that make it sound like a helicopter landing. So unless I'm cruising a back road, it's windows up and AC for me unfortunately.

[-]

cloudshaper@reddit

I used to put the windows down much more, but I run a lot colder in my old age. Windows up and heated seat on! I'll use my sunroof to air the car out a bit.

[-]

Electronic_Rope4178@reddit

When I was a kid someone was always making so the window was usually down. My parents didn’t have a car wit ac til I was in Jr high. When my got my license I did have a car with ac so windows always down. Now as and adult my allergies and asthma are so bad I try not to go outside til after everything blooms, so windows up and ac on lol

[-]

vsaint@reddit

I’m in Colorado and it’s so good to drive with windows down. I had a car without AC and managed fine

[-]

StrongAsMeat@reddit

It’s winter

[-]

jbach73@reddit

Yeah I’m confused by windows up on 95% of the cars here in southern CA where the weather is AMAZING 85% of the year.

[-]

unbalancedcentrifuge@reddit

I still ride windows down....now that my jowls hang lower, I just let the wind flap'em around while I blast out some ACDC.

[-]

throwawaytoday9q@reddit

Depends. On a side road going 20 - 30? Not much airflow, lots of noise too. On a country road going 30 - 50? Pretty much ideal. Too loud and too windy on the expressway.

[-]

BeMancini@reddit

Nah. I like cabin filters, cool air, and listening to podcasts. I don’t want to interact with people while driving.

[-]

Sufficient_Focus4174@reddit

I keep them up just because I like a clean interior.

[-]

Smokeythemagickamodo@reddit

Checking in on the Windows down gang. Unless I’m stuck in city traffic, (too many fumes),sigh

[-]

Ok_Percentage5157@reddit

I like the fresh air, but only in the spring/fall time, and even then just for a short time. When I was newly married, I drove a car with no AC for over three years, waiting for my wife to finish school. After suffering through commutes home I Midwest Summers for that long, I swore I would never again not have a vehicle without A C.

[-]

kgruesch@reddit

I love driving with the sunroof open. Every time I drive with the windows open though I find all the little pieces of paper and receipts in the back seat as they start blowing around and out the windows. I do still love it though.

[-]

Happy_Confection90@reddit

The pollen count is already almost 6 on a the 12 point scale here. I definitely did not drive with my windows down today.

[-]

PikaGoesMeepMeep@reddit

I've had this longstanding debate about fuel efficiency of AC vs windows down. I'm pretty certain at low speeds windows are more fuel efficient than AC (though sometimes not as effective if the outside air is too hot). But at high speeds I think AC might be more fuel efficient. Anyone know?

I wonder if the rising cost of gas will make people start caring about how their habits affect their fuel efficiency. Last time I heard anyone talk about those details was in the 90s.

[-]

Sabres00@reddit

Yes, because AC is in every car now and works longer than 5 years.

[-]

foofighter1999@reddit

I drive with windows down until the pollen count gets too high. I also couldn’t drive with the windows down at all when my oldest was little. She had tubes in her ears and the air rushing in and the pressure changes would make her scream in pain from the pain in her ears.

[-]

Day2205@reddit

AC used to affect fuel efficiency back in the day, so people relied on windows being down. Now, it’s more efficient to use AC and worse to leave windows down, thus the change.

Sociologically, I also think more people are sensitive about road noise, noise from other cars - yes you Gen Z, blasting your shitty 2020’s rap, and pollution, so I think that also factors in

[-]

rialucia@reddit

I only roll my windows down if it’s nice out and I’m going under 50 mph or so. Any faster than that and it’s hard to hear the music or podcast that I’m playing. I’m also growing my hair back out and it’s in the intermediary stage where it’s long enough to get in my face but not so long that I always have a hair tie on hand to pull it back.

[-]

DS-9er@reddit

I love windows down. Definitely see it less now with AC.

[-]

fromthedarqwaves@reddit

I’ve noticed a lot of people drive with them down in Atlanta. I don’t understand it.

[-]

PickledPixie83@reddit

I love windows down. My husband told me he hates about 2 weeks ago, and I was shocked.

[-]

Shaved_Caterpillar@reddit

I take into account temperature, pollen and volume of traffic. I so frequently have one of those factors that I forget about rolling windows down when I don’t

[-]

Annhl8rX@reddit

There are only a half dozen or so days a year when the temperature is suitable for windows down driving around these parts. Those days are awesome, though.

If I had to name my favorite day of the year, it’d be the first spring night where I find myself driving at night when the temperature is “windows down perfect”. I’ll put on my favorite tunes, take the long way home, and feel like Red and Andy on that rooftop. It’s the next best thing to a motorcycle ride on a beautiful day.

[-]

Still_Strawberry8134@reddit

I mean, I live in Texas and windows down was pretty much always an “only if necessary” option, I do recall the two exceptions being that people actually smoked back in the day, and the nicotine people didn’t really hotbox. And the other was when as teens someone needed to make sure everyone knew they were the coolest people at the stoplight and having more fun than you, so the windows went down so you got the full force of the bass on their blasting stereo.

Apparently not as many kids today are interested in emphysema or spending the second half of their lives going “huh? What?” So they keep the AC inside the car. Go figure.

[-]

Possible-Tangelo9344@reddit

I'm usually with my wife or kids in the car, so windows up cuz it's rough in the backseat windows down, and my wife has a hearing loss so she can't hear me if the windows are down.

At work in my patrol car I'm generally window down, or at least cracked, all year long unless it's raining cuz I don't have window guards to keep it out. It's the way I was trained to police so I can hear gunshots or someone yelling, alarms, etc.

[-]

MorallyAmbiguouish@reddit

Heated seats/heater blasting on my feet, windows down.

[-]

cbih@reddit

Fewer smokers

[-]

Buttspirgh@reddit

It seems like it. Windows down, music up is the way to be

[-]

Mission-Jackfruit138@reddit

When it’s cold I love my windows down with the seat warmer on. Feels good on my back, even in the 30s love the cold air on my face.

[-]

Unapologetic_Canuck@reddit

I drive with the windows down as long as it’s at or above 0°C.

[-]

FloridaGirlMary@reddit

I’m scared of people

[-]

Canuckr82@reddit

And rolling down the window and turning down the stereo when parking.

[-]

sugarcrumpet@reddit

I love fresh air and prefer the windows down unless I want quiet.

[-]

Far_Dragonfly_3748@reddit

I roll em down any chance I get. Funny story - few years back when we had the polar vortex and it was 10 to 20 below zero for what seemed like weeks, the first day of the warmup was like 40 and sunny. Driving through town, just about everyone had their window down or at least cracked, felt so good!

[-]

GorillaHeat@reddit

nah. ill pull the air in from outside.... but run it through the air filter. i dont need to get quick wafts of vape clouds and weed blasts at stop lights... or exhaust smells from the trucks.

if im on a scenic country road sure... in the city? nah im good.

also everyone blasts their music. id rather focus on my own thanks.

[-]

ponchoacademy@reddit

I feel like back in the day there wasnt always ongoing construction, wierd smells, noise from construction, bustle, other people playing loud music in their car I can hear from mine, and less chance of people walking up to the car asking for whatever random thing.

I enjoy the weather in other situations like while relaxing outside with coffee in the morning or end of the day or whatever. When Im driving, Im just trying to keep safe...I keep my windows up and the AC on.

[-]

Separate-Relative-83@reddit

It’s allergy season.

[-]

No-Championship-8677@reddit

I hate wind. It messes up my hair. And I am definitely a climate control all the time kind of girl

[-]

207247@reddit

I love driving with my windows down, but when they're all the way down I feel like a lot of surprise little things fling inside. When I'm driving at slower speeds they're often rolled down, though.

[-]

minimonimuse@reddit

When the weather is good I still roll the windows down and open the sun roof and blast my playlist on my way home from work. However, only the part when it’s city driving/stuck in traffic speeds. Once I hit the highway, the windows go up because 1) my hair; 2) fuel economy, especially with the price of gas now. But you’re right, not too many people around me get to enjoy my music because for the most part their windows are up. Sad for them. 😆

[-]

creddittor216@reddit

I love my windows down when I can. It’s important other drivers hear the good music I’m playing

[-]

Trick-Session2388@reddit

It's a safety thing and sometimes I don't want that much air in my face, but I use my sunroof instead quite often.

[-]

16Shells@reddit

i never had AC in any family cars until i got my second car in the 2010s (2002 Golf). these days i prefer AC, it’s rare to be in an area open enough to have fresh cool air, in the summer the air is hotter outside than inside. plus negative pressure when you don’t have back windows that open sucks.

[-]