Do dark-colored cars really have worse gas mileage in hot weather?

With rising fuel prices, some people will try just about anything to improve their gas mileage. And although it sounds ridiculous, some people may even consider a white car instead of a black car, in hopes of saving a few cents at the pumps. But as crazy as it may sound, there is some science that supports choosing a light-colored car over a dark one.

According to studies published by berkeley lab As of 2011, vehicles painted silver, white or light reflect about 60% of sunlight and are “easier to air condition to a comfortable temperature”, which translates to savings at the pumps. This also means that black cars or dark colors can absorb more heat, and their dark colors can contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect in the cabin.

On a 90°F (32°C) summer day, the temperature inside the vehicle (with the windows closed) can reach 124°F after only 30 minutes of parking. Exacerbating the scorching heat is the fact that dark-colored cars can also heat cities and raise air temperatures by about 3.5°F. All cars can get as hot as an oven in the summer, but the reflective nature of silver or white paint can help reduce cabin temperatures by deflecting some of the sun’s long-wave radiation.

in a different berkeley lab studyBuilding surfaces with clean white roofs can reflect up to 80% of sunlight and stay up to 55° F (31°C) cooler than brown or dark-colored surfaces, helping to save up to 40% on energy and air conditioning costs. Obviously, the savings also apply to light-coloured cars. Studies show that cars painted white, silver or other light colors can be 2% more fuel efficient than darker cars. Increasing fuel economy also helps reduce emissions, with research from Berkeley Lab showing that light-colored cars can emit 1.9% less carbon dioxide.

according to United States Department of EnergyVehicles are more fuel-efficient in hot weather. Warmer air is less dense and helps reduce drag, which means your car engine will have an easier time pushing the vehicle down the road and will consume less fuel. However, rolling down the windows to cool the cabin on a hot summer day will significantly increase wind resistance the faster you go, and this can negate any fuel savings you could possibly get from the heated air.

But using air conditioner can reduce fuel economy by 8-10%. Furthermore, using A/C on hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric cars has the same or possibly worse impact on energy consumption. We can’t blame you for turning the A/C on full blast or rolling down the windows for a quick cool-off, but both light- and dark-colored cars can save fuel in the summer by following some basic guidelines.

It’s fine to drive with the windows down at slow speeds, but you can improve fuel economy and aerodynamics by closing the windows and using the A/C when driving fast at highway speeds. Additionally, cooling the interior before driving will help the A/C cool the cabin more efficiently. For this, you can adopt a science trick of lowering the passenger window and repeatedly opening and closing the opposite door to quickly draw hot air out and cold air in.

Next, check tire pressure more frequently to maintain proper inflation on all four tires. For every 1 psi drop in air pressure, gas mileage is reduced by approximately 0.2%. Combine this with a black car, and you have a better chance of saving gas by keeping an eye on tire inflation. However, remember to inflate the tire only to the recommended pressure, not the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall.

Ultimately, timely maintenance matters most for any vehicle in any season. Keeping up with oil and filter changes (reusing oil filters is a big no-no), checking the brakes, rotating tires, and flushing or refilling the cooling system before summer arrives will guarantee that your car is ready to face the heat – regardless of color.