More efficient to open a window or use the A/C ?

[Trips]

Has it been discussed that all of the RC's we have seen driven around have a window or two open? Do they not have the new air conditioner working it is that a California thing? Current Temp in Fremont is 71 degrees.

 

[AnxietyRanger]

Has it been discussed that all of the RC's we have seen driven around have a window or two open? Do they not have the new air conditioner working it is that a California thing? Current Temp in Fremont is 71 degrees.

A/C is only for Model S/X...

 

[Garlan Garner]

A/C is only for Model S/X...

The model 3 might not come with AC, however its clear that its going to come with a Tesla Towel. Look a the last pic above and you will see the blue Tesla towel on the dashboard where the window / dashboard / a-pillar meet.

That's a sweat towel.

 

[Doug_G]

Moved a bunch of posts to Driving efficiency with windows or sunroof open?

 

[jelloslug]

The model 3 might not come with AC, however its clear that its going to come with a Tesla Towel. Look a the last pic above and you will see the blue Tesla towel on the dashboard where the window / dashboard / a-pillar meet.

That's a sweat towel.

It's not a sweat towel, it's a personal coolant recovery and containment device.

 

[AudubonB]

Or....

I'm not about to open a window OR to use A/C. Photo from right now, 26 May 2017:

Grrrr and Brrrrr....

 

[Booga]

Remember that we don't even know the details of their HVAC system yet. It's expected to be different based on the lack of individual air vents, but that doesn't even say anything about the workings behind the scene.

 

[S'toon]

The model 3 might not come with AC, however its clear that its going to come with a Tesla Towel. Look a the last pic above and you will see the blue Tesla towel on the dashboard where the window / dashboard / a-pillar meet.

That's a sweat towel.

Do you know where your towel is?

 

[Booga]

Remember that we don't even know the details of their HVAC system yet. It's expected to be different based on the lack of individual air vents, but that doesn't even say anything about the workings behind the scene.

Gah. I wrote more and lost it.

My basic points are:

1) The answer will depend on many factors like the temperatures inside and outside the vehicle, the effective speed you're traveling at, and the effectiveness of the system with all current variables considered.

2) I speculate two things:

A. Unless they follow their own patent and introduce externally supported cooling, I think that they may boost the on board cooling capability of vehicles to allow for greater charge rates and that might make it more efficient for cabin use too. The patent filing made it clear that the biggest limitation was in keeping the batteries cool during rapid charging, which expels this heat. If you want to use an external device to do this, that introduces complexity and more cost, but could work. The easier solution is if you can make an improvement with the cooling built into the car. It might not allow for the 350+ kw charge rates that Elon described, but maybe they can push it beyond the current limitations and get 80% charge times down from 30 minutes to 20 minutes for example.

B. If they do this, it might be designed around the roll out of 2170 batteries, which could happen with current models at the same time as the 3 is announced.

One more thought... if they do roll out an enhanced supercharging capability, will current "supercharging for life" customers be able to benefit from it? If they move to a new S or X, which can take the 350 kw charge rate (which Elon described as "child's play" implying an ever greater ability), then will they allowed to at no cost? If so, that could be extremely valuable.

 

[Garlan Garner]

Do you know where your towel is?

? what ?

 

[Zaphod]

? what ?

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy reference.

As is my forum name. S'toon, I approve of your reference

 

[S'toon]

? what ?

Towel

 

[chillaban]

The AC doesn’t use a lot of extra power compared to the car’s battery cooling needs.

If you can open a window instead of using the heater, that would save a lot more power

 

[Uncle Paul]

Low speeds, opening a window is usually best.

High speeds, closing windows and using AC usually best.