Does the color of a car have affects?

[andrmtro]

Hey guys,

I'm new here and I'm sorry if this question is stupid. But does the color of a car have even a minimal affect on the energy the car uses? Like, will a black car attract more heat than a white car and possibly cause the car's exterior to become hotter, acting like as an oven for the engine?

I'm sorry if this question is utterly dumb, but I was just curious to know and thought I'd ask.

Thanks!

[lovemysan]

Sure it does. A black car in a hot climate will use more energy to be cooled.

[Peakster]

With a dark coloured car, the mileage may drop due to the following:
- more air conditioner useage
- opened windows affect a vehicle's drag negatively

However, if you live in a climate that sees a lot of cold winter, a dark car can help with cabin heat when it's sunny out.

I also have a theory (although I'm not totally sure by any means) that a hot car exterior would be able to pierce trough the wind easier than a cool exterior.

[Hockey4mnhs]

Also it may keep your engine hotter in the winter if you are out for a short time

[landspeed]

Having a white car may help keep the engine hotter in winter - as black as a radiator, so the bonnet will emit more heat.
Having a black car on a winters day, when it is sunny, will probably keep the
engine warmer as the bonnet will be heated by the sun

[GasSavers_nathan]

i hear red cars make people drive faster

[Matt Timion]

I heard that if you eat a green M&M you'll hit a home run.

[JanGeo]

Having a Big White box xB the hood is insulated so the engine heat does not warm up the hood and it stays cool on hot sunny days HOWEVER the windows are dark tint which because the sun is lower on the horizon in the winter and the windows mostly vertical it ends up heating up the interior more in the winter than in the summer. White also radiates heat less so it tends to stay warmer in the winter. White also keeps the body cooler and tends to burn off the finish (wax) more slowly in the hot summer sun keeping it more aero thus cutting drag. Now anyone want to buy some juice?
http://mymonavie.com/SystemOne/

[Hot Georgia]

That's a good one theclencher:

When light hits my car I have to have the parking brake on or it will take off down the street!

Some time ago I heard somebody make a suggestion that the heat radiated off of the surface of a dark colored car would reduce wind resistance, as the radiated currents would deflect cooler air flow.

Sounds good but I don't know if its factual.

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by JanGeo

Having a Big White box xB the hood is insulated so the engine heat does not warm up the hood

Ah! Insulation under the hood! I wonder why my Geo doesn't have any. I might add one.