Is there a fad of driving without AC?

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Seems like I'm seeing a lot more cars with the windows rolled down.

I'm not talking about junker cars, convertibles, or 80 degrees. I'm seeing nicer relatively new cars with the windows down in 95 degree weather both in town sitting at red lights along with interstate.

What's up with that? Is this the latest hip and trendy thing to do while you grow your hipster beard?

onewhippedpuppy · 07-31-2016, 03:13 PM

Nice day outside? I can't say that I see sweating your ass off as a fad, but I put my windows down at every opportunity. For that matter, I put the top down at every opportunity.

Oh Haha · 07-31-2016, 03:34 PM

I don't even use the A/C unless the wife and or kids are in the vehicle.

KFC911 · 07-31-2016, 03:40 PM

I've had my hipster grey beard (now) for close to 40 years ....no AC in the 911 and turned it on once in my F150 several years ago giving my aunt a ride

. I thrive in the heat though....always have....

VINMAN · 07-31-2016, 04:19 PM

Always have my windows down, unless it's raining. I like the fresh air.

.

ckelly78z · 07-31-2016, 04:34 PM

I usually have the top down on my DD 2004 GT, but when stop and go in town, I will run the A/C to keep from dying in 95 degree heat.

yetibone · 07-31-2016, 04:39 PM

I don't really notice that around here, except for the vehicles that obviously wouldn't have a working AC. Even a majority of the contractors, and construction vehicles that roll around these parts have their windows rolled up. The humidity has been brutal here lately though.

I work in the heat, so I drive in the heat as well. I bought an '06 R1200 GS back in February, so adjusting the windscreen all the way down has been my air conditioner. That puts the air right into my helmet when my visor is popped open one or two notches. the breeze couldn't feel better. I haven't driven anything else since I bought it, unless I knew there was bad weather that day.

The Beetle doesn't have AC (of course). No heat either with the Ahnendorp header.

The Turd also doesn't have AC. It does have quarterlights in the door windows though, which are pretty nice to have when the defogger needs help some in the rain.

Cobbler's shoe syndrome has kept me from fixing the air in the 'Burb. I just charge it up whenever I have to haul people. One of these days, I'll replace the compressor, unless the corrosion that's accumulated from saturated PAG oil seeping out of the leaky case somehow creates a seal...

The 928 I usta haz was the only one that had reliable AC, but I always preferred opening the windows, and sunroof when I drove it. It's living up north now where AC isn't quite as necessary, but my brother did have to put a can of 12 in it recently in order to keep his shirt clean when he drove it to work occasionally. I'm not sure if he's a windows-down driver or not.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

I love fresh air and the wind in my face. That said, when its 95 -105 and 80% humidity and your in town at stop lights, I don't want to sweat like a pig and then smell like when I arrive.

If you think that the above stats is a "nice day" then more power to you. You are a better person than me.

If you live in MI then you don't understand. That would akin to me saying what's the big deal? I don't need heat in December.

All I'm saying is that there seems to be a lot more people in TN running around in the middle of stifling hot summer days without AC. It used to be only work trucks or people too poor to afford a car that had working AC would do so.

masraum · 07-31-2016, 05:03 PM

When I was a young man, I was more used to the heat. My cars didn't have AC, I spent a lot of time outside, and was used to the heat. I felt like my parents kept the house far too cold, not because they kept it that cold, but because I was used to the heat. If you spend much/most of your time in a hot atmosphere, you'll get used to it and be comfortable in it.

We run the AC at home and there is AC in the office. I do get out to walk the dogs, and do enjoy the outdoors, but don't spend that much time outside or in the heat. I'm not used to it and pretty much always run the AC in the car. I can start to sweat just getting to my car in the parking garage. It's because I'm more used to AC than the heat and humidity.

I worked with a woman that hardly ran the AC at home. I was told that in a rural area outside of Houston, her husband and her waited until Aug to put the AC on. I can tell you that must have been miserably hot. Consequently, she always felt like the AC in the office was set far too low to be comfortable and spent her days usually in multiple layers of clothes and gloves whether it was Jan or Aug. It was what he was used to.

fastfredracing · 07-31-2016, 05:11 PM

I prefer my windows down to ac, but I do notice that as I get older, I like some relief from the heat.
I work in either a freezing garage in the winter, or over a 200 deg motor in a 90 degree shop in the summer, so I am used to the elements.
She works in an air conditioned office, if it is 80 deg, the AC is on full blast .

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I prefer the AC. You get better mileage at highway speeds and it's more comfortable. We've had 95% humidity around here for the past week. Add a little sun through the windshield and it's a sauna.

Esel Mann · 07-31-2016, 05:30 PM

95?? A/C ??? I fart in your general direction!
OP, needs to ween off the pamprin and zima,
Move to that pottery barn republic, texas!
Yeee haww, every pottery barn is bigger in texas!!!!

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I'm seeing it here and it's been upwards of 105°

My guess is the A/C is broken

Esel Mann · 07-31-2016, 05:37 PM

Whoa there, sorry, just teasin!!

Vive les bruins!

manbridge 74 · 07-31-2016, 05:41 PM

Don't like AC much. Not often needed in CO.

I believe sweating rids us of toxins and I like a good sweat now and then. I'd like to build a sweat lodge some day. Maybe I'm a sweat hog and don't know it.