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Is it true that drivers avoid turning on the A/C to save on fuel costs? Won't that hurt their ratings?

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JHLong01
27
 Posted 5 years, 6 months ago

I saw this article about drivers hypermiling and not wanting to use air conditioning.  I was thinking drivers do NOT do that.  Is this writer just blowing smoke?

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-uber-lyft-air-conditioning-crisis 


Comments

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    JonHogan
    86 Driver
     5 years ago

    Drivers do all kinds of things to save on costs, like having the car turned off between fares. I haven't heard turning the A/C on though.  Does it really incur that much fuel?

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    momof4
    8198 Rider Driver
     5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

    I read this article last night and a rideshare You Tuber did a video. I would assume this is exaggerated. Although I am sure it happens. There is no way in hell I am riding around in my black SUV (not Uber black)during the summer in Philly & NJ with no AC. I would also never be so rude to put a passenger in my car with temps in the 80/90's with high humidity and not have air on. I do see many taxis riding in hot days with windows down. I am not being uncomfortable and dont expect my rider to be. You can also forget any tip that rider may have given you. Also look for that 4 star or less.  The only reason I would give less than 5 stars is a safety issue (dangerous, careless driving), filthy car, rude, and disrectful attitude. If i got into an Uber (only have once) on a 85 to 95 degree day with high humidity and no air on I would probably ask you to pull over and I would cancel with a 1 to 4 star. Had you had AC on & it was cool in the car you would've got at least …

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    I read this article last night and a rideshare You Tuber did a video. I would assume this is exaggerated. Although I am sure it happens. There is no way in hell I am riding around in my black SUV (not Uber black)during the summer in Philly & NJ with no AC. I would also never be so rude to put a passenger in my car with temps in the 80/90's with high humidity and not have air on. I do see many taxis riding in hot days with windows down. I am not being uncomfortable and dont expect my rider to be. You can also forget any tip that rider may have given you. Also look for that 4 star or less.  The only reason I would give less than 5 stars is a safety issue (dangerous, careless driving), filthy car, rude, and disrectful attitude. If i got into an Uber (only have once) on a 85 to 95 degree day with high humidity and no air on I would probably ask you to pull over and I would cancel with a 1 to 4 star. Had you had AC on & it was cool in the car you would've got at least 20% tip if not more:)

    There are studies that have been done that says leaving windows open on major highways puts drag on car. You waste more gas with windows open. Other studies disagree. This is the most recent one that I found that explains it pretty well.

    https://www.thespruce.com/ac-or-windows-down-gas-mileage-1709086

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      Bigfrank
      447 Rider Driver Driver
       5 years ago

      If the fares were equal to the cost of living and a 15% tip ( legal word would be surcharge )applied we wouldn't have to discuss this issue. On both sides of the fence you have quantity but you don't have quality.  

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        momof4
        8198 Rider Driver
         5 years ago

        Agreed Bigfrank. If we were tipped 15% on each ride it would help the drivers with these types of things. On weeks that I make over 100.00 in tips it greatly helps my income. The increase in gas prices, running the air, keeping car clean, etc.... Riders using Uber and Lyft sometimes dont realize how good they have it. Not knocking taxi service but rideshare is cheaper, more convenient (in areas that you cant hail a taxi), easier, in some instances cleaner and nicer vehicle (better to pull up to a big event in a nice clean car versus a yellow taxi cab).  People got spoiled with these cheap rides and many still dont care to tip. I still dont understand when 6/7 order an XL and they are splitting the cost of their 60.00 ride approx 8.50/$10 each. Why cant they all spend that extra 1.00 or 2.00 to tip the driver? I find this problem with the 20/30 something crowd headed to a bar. Most of these people will tip their bartender but not the driver out at 2am driving with drunks on the ro…

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        Agreed Bigfrank. If we were tipped 15% on each ride it would help the drivers with these types of things. On weeks that I make over 100.00 in tips it greatly helps my income. The increase in gas prices, running the air, keeping car clean, etc.... Riders using Uber and Lyft sometimes dont realize how good they have it. Not knocking taxi service but rideshare is cheaper, more convenient (in areas that you cant hail a taxi), easier, in some instances cleaner and nicer vehicle (better to pull up to a big event in a nice clean car versus a yellow taxi cab).  People got spoiled with these cheap rides and many still dont care to tip. I still dont understand when 6/7 order an XL and they are splitting the cost of their 60.00 ride approx 8.50/$10 each. Why cant they all spend that extra 1.00 or 2.00 to tip the driver? I find this problem with the 20/30 something crowd headed to a bar. Most of these people will tip their bartender but not the driver out at 2am driving with drunks on the road, loud drunk people in their car who got them home safely. Most times they have 2 or 3 stops to drop friends offs of course "they live just a block away". I just dont understand some people. I have riders I go out of my way for that dont tip a dime others I do nothing extra for but drive them safely from A to B and give a 20% tip or more. Go figure. 

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      donbon
      85
       5 years ago

      Taxis are always driving around with their windows down 😰

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    DougH
    213 Driver
     5 years ago

    penny wise, pound foolish. save a couple cents on gas and lose ratings, possibility of tips, etc

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      Bigfrank
      447 Rider Driver Driver
       5 years ago

      What tips ??? 

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    joeyj
    422 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    If uber and lyft are gonna pay garbage then drivers are going to do what they gotta do. Seems obvious. If users want A/C they can choose uber black.

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    HuhnHuhn
    127 Rider
     5 years ago

    and this guy is calling it a CRISIS.  drama queen.