I used to drive my '94 Geo Prizm (4-speed automatic) for gas mileage and got 40 mpg in the summer and 34 mpg in the winter. In the summer when it was hot, I wouldn't use the A/C to keep my mpgs up. But I did use the A/C to slow me down when going down a steep hill, and a state trooper was at the bottom waiting. People thought I was nuts, but hey, I saved money with that old car!

jinno

 

yah, it gets ruff in these hot, humid georgia days. windows being open are often inefective too. i had seen those solar things from target, glad to know they dont work much so i wont waste the $$. i'll prob get a heat shunting tint and isulate my a/c pipes.

 

Here in Texas I will have to use it, no way around it. I'm not showing up to work all covered in sweat. I'll slow down a bit more to help compensate for the A/C but I am going to use it.

 

I got one of those solar heat vent things several years ago from Brookstone. Made the mistake of buying a "midnight blue" (looked black to me most of the time) Saturn wagon -- way too hot in the summer! The gizmo didn't seem to help much. The thermal metallic sun blocker in the windshield does a lot better -- also leaving the windows open a crack when parked.

This time I'm going to try the plastic film on the side and back windows. My HCH is magnesium silver, which should be slightly cooler... I hope!

Hank

 

What model year HCH do you have?
I know the 2004 already comes with heat rejecting green glass.
I wonder if the plastic film would help or hurt?
Steve

 

In the summer during the day I have to run the a/c (100+ outside), and before I switched to new allergy medication, I had to use it year round to filter the air or I would be miserable.

 

--

 

Wayne,
OOOOOO!!!! Instant inspirations...I must begin work ASAP. Using my blueprints for a solar ventalations system...I could hook up a cooling system in the trunk that would only need a daily dose of ice. I will rule the world...BRILIANT! . Anyway....yah, I think I'll adapt my plans for a solar ventalating system to run the air through a cooler then cool the corolla further.
Cheers,
Steven

 

But what about the cost of that ice.?
I hardly have enough room in my freezer for more than a couple trays of ice, and I don't think it would be enough to last very long on a hot day.

For keeping cool I keep my vents blowing at max speed. I open up my windows at lower speeds while driving in town or coming to stoplight along my route. This helps quite a bit. At higher speeds I close them to reduce drag, of course.

 

You all gave me an idea, wish I had time to impliment.
Here it is:
Buy a heater core at the bone yard for any car.
Also get a 12V blower.
Get one of those $5 water pumps you hook to your electric drill
Couple the shaft to the blower motor.
Build a box suitable to force air over the core.
Provide a condensaton drain at the bottom.
Get connecting hoses.
Positon the blower/core/pump box convieniently inside the interior.
Run the lines into the trunk and attach them to the bottom of a
modified 5gallon cooler located in the trunk.
Connect the drain to outside the car
Wire the blower with a switch: can even use a 12V dashboard power plug.

Before you leave:
1. Put enough cool water into the chest to cover the water inlet/outlet and also enough to fill the lines & heater core.
2. Fill the rest of the chest with ice.
3. Hop in and turn it on before going.

Sure would be allot of work but keep the car cool!