Power loss when the AC is on
 

The car still pulls but there is a noticeable difference..feels like 15-20hp. Anyone else notice this? I'm guessing /hoping it's normal.

Yes, you do rob HP from the engine with the AC on. I can feel my compressor come on, with the AC and Defroster, but 15 - 20 HP seems excesive.

I am sure someone on the board can tell us exactly how much power they take....

15-20hp was only a guess but I can feel it's not as peppy.

This is what happens with a turbo 4, as opposed to a V8. My SS has 5 more hp and close to the same in torque than my Avalanche, but those extra 4 cylinders make a huge difference with how much torque there is and when you feel it.

:agree:

You're okay, it's normal to lose some hp with ac being on. Little engines.

I can feel it in my V6 and V8 too.

But on the other hand my Fiero V6 is faster by a couple tenths in the quarter mile with the AC on.

Most cars compensate for this with added fuel but there is still a little feel in all of them even the V8. Drag on the engine is drag no matter the cylinders or HP.

Down South, we pretty much run the AC year round. Only a few weeks with actual cold weather.
I guess we just don't notice any power loss because we lose it all the time.:lol:

I was curious so I did a little digging and found a few discussions about this. One said that the AC compressor takes between 10 -12 HP to run, and the other one said that modern cars use about 5 HP, but neither were from an auto or compressor manufacture....

With our 4 bangers, you definatly feel it when it's on, so as others have said, "no worries"

Amen to that! :bow:

Generally motorheads will say 8-10 HP. But frankly every vehicle and matching a/c system is different. The auto industry statement is usually 5-8%...again depending on vehicle and system (at least that's what GM Engineering once stated).

Some years ago, it was 10-15%. But technologies have improved.

Oh, and on my use of the ac unit....as some have stated, almost all the time because of the climate......even sometimes with the sun roof open.

Also I think you'll find that the use of the ac is more noticeable when in traffic and stop and go. It's the heat build up under the hood. Once you clean out the hotter air, like using the Interstate, it is less noticeable.