Performance Power loss with A/C on

Andiww · 2nd June 2008, 17:35

Did you notice a power loss in your 1.8 engines with air conditioning on? The engine is much more lazy, the clutch reaction is different. One good thing is that the engne sounds better with AC on

cnicolini · 2nd June 2008, 17:59

This is normal in all cars, the AC takes alot of power from the engine, its even noticable on a Type R.

You also lose between 3-5 mpg too!

ViBe · 2nd June 2008, 19:19

yeah i've noticed it during the hot days we've had here in sweden lately.. it's almost as if someone left the handbrake on. I usually turn the AC off and open the window while driving in the city because of this

Robbieee · 2nd June 2008, 19:23

In my old car, my headlights actually dimmed when u turned the AC on!

robbo51 · 2nd June 2008, 19:27

Ive never turned mine off

morten · 2nd June 2008, 20:22

With the AC engaged, mine seem to be really lazy rewing up to around 3000-3500 rpm. Above that, the car kind of wakes up again, and I feel no power loss... Weird...!

Nexxo · 2nd June 2008, 20:42

No appreciable difference here. At idle you do notice a blip in the idle as it engages.

GHGH · 2nd June 2008, 22:20

After what I've read, the A/C consumes 0,2 - 0,4 litres/hour on a sunny summer day.
So - how much this affects the MPG depends of the speed.
(And how many watts that equals is to late in the evening for me to find out now..

)

ViBe · 3rd June 2008, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHGH

After what I've read, the A/C consumes 0,2 - 0,4 litres/hour on a sunny summer day.
So - how much this affects the MPG depends of the speed.
(And how many watts that equals is to late in the evening for me to find out now..

)

According to my own not very scientifical observations running with my AC on will make my mileage go down by about 13%. It would seem about right with 0,4liters/hour

gphillips123 · 3rd June 2008, 06:46

i dont notice any performance drop with the A/C on or off...is'nt that the reason why the civic's A/C runs seperate from the engine unlike older cars? or do i have it wrong? heh

Kremmen · 3rd June 2008, 06:52

Nor me

I've run weeks with it on and then off and no noticeable difference here.

Even turning it on during travel when you would expect to notice a difference to power doesn't seem to make any difference.

My weekly average MPG is constant regardless of on or off as well.

hurricane · 3rd June 2008, 06:54

I rented a Fiat Grande Punto in Greece last year with only 1500 kms on the clock. Going up mountain roads we had to keep switching the A/C off to get more power! I couldn't believe it, all credit to the wife, as it was she who suggested turning it off to see if the car went faster! And it worked immediately! Luckily in Finland there are no mountains, not really any hills either, so that will not be a problem for my Civic here.

GHGH · 3rd June 2008, 07:07

Don't notice any difference either.
However, energy density of petrol is about 9 kWh/liter, so with 0,3 l/h A/C consumption, the A/C will burn 2,7 kWh or 3,5 HP.

Rich 11 · 3rd June 2008, 07:56

It's like applying a parchute when you switch it on , if you need extra power for overtaking , switch it off . apparently you can lose approx 5-10 bhp more noticable on petrol vehicles and deisels have more torque

angie4m · 3rd June 2008, 08:06

I usually drive with it off but give it a wee blast every now and again to make sure its kept in good working order, however I did find myself on Saturday needing it as it was 22 degrees outside, no wind blowing and it made the car hotter when I put the window down so the aircon went on, I've also used it to keep my juice and water cold in the glovebox on my trip up and down south (which was great) other than that its usually off.

gphillips123 · 3rd June 2008, 08:11

22 degrees outside? heh wow its 22degrees in south africa and we're all cold...(:

Rich 11 · 3rd June 2008, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gphillips123

22 degrees outside? heh wow its 22degrees in south africa and we're all cold...(:

Not so lucky here............. i hate a/c as it gives me a sore throat so I tend not to use it

GHGH · 3rd June 2008, 08:36

I'm using it during winter when the demisting function comes in very handy, and during summer - the 5 or 6 hot sunny days around here

.

Pottsy · 3rd June 2008, 08:57

Realistically, it seems to use very little extra power or fuel. It should disengage when you are demanding full power from the engine, and you can easily test how much resistance it adds by coasting down a hill in gear and switching it on and off (I can't feel it).

Here's a shot of what happened when I tried doing 100 miles at 65 mph, with the aircon on and the outside temperature 24 (from here):

GHGH · 3rd June 2008, 10:20

I can't say I have noticed any differences myself - but I haven't preformed this A-B test.
Seems like the driver's mood and the driving conditions are much more important factors

.

2nd June 2008, 17:35	#1 (permalink)
Andiww Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 4th March 2008 Location: Poznan, Poland Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Power loss with A/C on Did you notice a power loss in your 1.8 engines with air conditioning on? The engine is much more lazy, the clutch reaction is different. One good thing is that the engne sounds better with AC on

3rd June 2008, 07:56	#14 (permalink)
Rich 11 TYPE R GT (R-15016) Rocketship door handle Join Date: 11th May 2008 Location: Kingston upon Hull (Red & White side), East Posts: 1,708 Thanks: 14 Thanked 40 Times in 40 Posts iTrader: (0)	It's like applying a parchute when you switch it on , if you need extra power for overtaking , switch it off . apparently you can lose approx 5-10 bhp more noticable on petrol vehicles and deisels have more torque Last edited by Rich 11; 3rd June 2008 at 07:59.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Power loss with A/C on
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Resale Value price loss in ten months	CHRIS REDPATH	Buying, Dealers and Servicing	20	29th February 2008 00:45
MPG Dramatic Loss of MPG	trasnagh	Engines and Transmission	132	15th February 2008 20:45
Phone Loss of pairing with Nokia N95	philiphenderson	Electronics	8	29th November 2007 21:47
Engine Sudden Power Loss	LuCiUs	Bugs, faults and irritations	20	26th June 2007 10:33
Loss of interest?	JPDirect	Any non Civic chat here please!	9	17th April 2007 13:05


This thread is about: Power loss with A/C on, it's in Engines and Transmission at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Did you notice a power loss in your 1.8 engines with air conditioning on? The engine is much more lazy, the clutch reaction is different. ...

2nd June 2008, 17:59	#2 (permalink)
cnicolini Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th August 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 586 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader: (0)	This is normal in all cars, the AC takes alot of power from the engine, its even noticable on a Type R. You also lose between 3-5 mpg too!

2nd June 2008, 19:19	#3 (permalink)
ViBe Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 20th May 2008 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 119 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	yeah i've noticed it during the hot days we've had here in sweden lately.. it's almost as if someone left the handbrake on. I usually turn the AC off and open the window while driving in the city because of this

2nd June 2008, 19:23	#4 (permalink)
Robbieee The Talented Mr. Robbieee Rocketship door handle Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 40 Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts iTrader: (1)	In my old car, my headlights actually dimmed when u turned the AC on!

2nd June 2008, 19:27	#5 (permalink)
robbo51 It wasn’t me! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,418 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 51 Posts iTrader: (0)	Ive never turned mine off

2nd June 2008, 20:22	#6 (permalink)
morten Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 9th March 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 51 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader: (0)	With the AC engaged, mine seem to be really lazy rewing up to around 3000-3500 rpm. Above that, the car kind of wakes up again, and I feel no power loss... Weird...!

2nd June 2008, 20:42	#7 (permalink)
Nexxo Wheelnut Join Date: 21st April 2008 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 73 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	No appreciable difference here. At idle you do notice a blip in the idle as it engages.

2nd June 2008, 22:20	#8 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	After what I've read, the A/C consumes 0,2 - 0,4 litres/hour on a sunny summer day. So - how much this affects the MPG depends of the speed. (And how many watts that equals is to late in the evening for me to find out now.. )

3rd June 2008, 06:46	#10 (permalink)
gphillips123 Valve Cap Join Date: 26th May 2008 Location: ZA Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	i dont notice any performance drop with the A/C on or off...is'nt that the reason why the civic's A/C runs seperate from the engine unlike older cars? or do i have it wrong? heh

3rd June 2008, 06:52	#11 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,840 Thanks: 13 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	Nor me I've run weeks with it on and then off and no noticeable difference here. Even turning it on during travel when you would expect to notice a difference to power doesn't seem to make any difference. My weekly average MPG is constant regardless of on or off as well.

3rd June 2008, 06:54	#12 (permalink)
hurricane Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 22nd May 2008 Location: Kymenlaakso, Finland Posts: 225 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	I rented a Fiat Grande Punto in Greece last year with only 1500 kms on the clock. Going up mountain roads we had to keep switching the A/C off to get more power! I couldn't believe it, all credit to the wife, as it was she who suggested turning it off to see if the car went faster! And it worked immediately! Luckily in Finland there are no mountains, not really any hills either, so that will not be a problem for my Civic here.

3rd June 2008, 07:07	#13 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Don't notice any difference either. However, energy density of petrol is about 9 kWh/liter, so with 0,3 l/h A/C consumption, the A/C will burn 2,7 kWh or 3,5 HP.

3rd June 2008, 08:06	#15 (permalink)
angie4m Moved on Civinfo guru Join Date: 28th September 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,772 Thanks: 17 Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts iTrader: (0)	I usually drive with it off but give it a wee blast every now and again to make sure its kept in good working order, however I did find myself on Saturday needing it as it was 22 degrees outside, no wind blowing and it made the car hotter when I put the window down so the aircon went on, I've also used it to keep my juice and water cold in the glovebox on my trip up and down south (which was great) other than that its usually off.

3rd June 2008, 08:11	#16 (permalink)
gphillips123 Valve Cap Join Date: 26th May 2008 Location: ZA Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	22 degrees outside? heh wow its 22degrees in south africa and we're all cold...(:

3rd June 2008, 08:36	#18 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I'm using it during winter when the demisting function comes in very handy, and during summer - the 5 or 6 hot sunny days around here .

3rd June 2008, 08:57	#19 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo master Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 5,470 Thanks: 22 Thanked 166 Times in 97 Posts iTrader: (0)	Realistically, it seems to use very little extra power or fuel. It should disengage when you are demanding full power from the engine, and you can easily test how much resistance it adds by coasting down a hill in gear and switching it on and off (I can't feel it). Here's a shot of what happened when I tried doing 100 miles at 65 mph, with the aircon on and the outside temperature 24 (from here):

3rd June 2008, 10:20	#20 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,026 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I can't say I have noticed any differences myself - but I haven't preformed this A-B test. Seems like the driver's mood and the driving conditions are much more important factors .