Fuel Saving: Tailgate Up or Down?
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 62
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From: nj
you might want to check your local laws about driving w your tailgate down. in some states it is illegal due to the fact that people behind you cannot clearly see the gate when it is down. Not agreeing, just sayin some cops can be ******. And dont forget that the tailgate also gives support the bed sides. Without the gate the spot weld will tend to break and the bed sides will start to flap in the breeze
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: St. Charles, MO
Originally Posted by 02XLT4X4
They also ran at a low speed, I think it was about 40mph. I bet they would get different results running at a honest highway speed.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Vancouver
I was always under the impression that down was the way to go, but I do trust the Mythbusters, probably more than I should.
But after I saw the chips of paint missing on my gate, even doing paved highway driving, that was it, gate stays up.
But after I saw the chips of paint missing on my gate, even doing paved highway driving, that was it, gate stays up.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
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From: Odenton MD
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Odenton MD
Originally Posted by Fifty150
It is also a well known myth that driving with your windows up & the AC on is better for your mileage because of the drag created by wind blowing in the windows.
But the MythBusters proved that it was better to just drive with the windows down because the AC used up so much gas. That was on an open track, not in a wind tunnel or on a dyno.
MythBusters has to take two identical trucks, run them against each other, one with the tailgate up & the other with the tailgate down. With a control of equal distance, say 120 miles or 2 hours worth of driving, then see which truck burned off more fuel.
But the MythBusters proved that it was better to just drive with the windows down because the AC used up so much gas. That was on an open track, not in a wind tunnel or on a dyno.
MythBusters has to take two identical trucks, run them against each other, one with the tailgate up & the other with the tailgate down. With a control of equal distance, say 120 miles or 2 hours worth of driving, then see which truck burned off more fuel.
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AC vs. Windows Down
Myth statement Status Notes
Running a car with air conditioning on is more fuel efficient than running with the windows down. (From AC vs. Windows Down) Partly Re-Busted/Partly Confirmed The fundamental flaw in the MythBusters' test was that the point where the drag becomes powerful enough to inhibit a car's performance with windows down was inside their 45–55mph margin at 50mph. Going less than 50mph it is more efficient to leave your windows down, but going greater than 50mph it is more efficient to use your A/C. Since then, this particular bit of knowledge has been used frequently on Car Talk.[citation needed]