Aircon on = loss in engine response for I6

[AU3XSR]

Does anyone else notice a significant loss in throttle response or power in their I6 when the a/c is turned on?

I have noticed a significant drop in the engine performance when I turn on the a/c, even on a cool day. The car does a lot more downshifting, doesn't move through the rev range as smoothly and lacks any real bite until you get into the higher rpm range.

[poolkeeper]

everybody everycar, it soaks some power up having it on

[bloggs24]

With A/C on my car tends to change gears before reaching to high revs, with A/C off the car holds its revs much higher before shifting.

[AU3XSR]

Yep mine is much the same. I understand that the a/c will soak up power from the engine. I'm just wondering how significant it is for everyone else...

[bloggs24]

i wonder if a 1/4 ET will show the difference?

[The Monty]

Of course it would show a difference. It uses power, everybody has the same problem in the whole world.

[blackers10]

a 1/4 mile is impossible unless you want to be chucked out
aircon = water = ruined drag strip

an aircon is the same as a supercharger...they subtract power but add more... but in the case of aircon.. it compresses air that is used to make you nice and cool

[Falcon4L]

As they use a clutch type system, anything over 75% throttle causes the aircon to stop... at least this is the case with BA's...

[bodes-sh]

normally, under full throttle the compressor disengages to allow better acceleration, see what happens. I don't find mine too bad, it's a lot better than a 4cyl that's for sure lol

[broken_suave]

I actually dont notice a huge difference in performance between having the Aircon on or having the Aircon off.

At idle, the engine seems happier with it off. With regular driving you can barely notice any difference. With a slightly heavier foot, there is only a slight difference in power, taking only slightly longer to get up to say, 80km/h with Aircon on.

Turning aircon off, generally only makes the engine run smoother.

Then again, I badly need to service mine, so that may be hiding the differences.

[sly]

Yes the aircon uses power but the effect is much less noticeable on a Falcon in good nick than on say a 2-litre 4. I had a 1990 Camry (manual) for 13 years and 190,000km and could always tell from the throttle response whether the aircon was on or off.

If I went for a drive blindfolded in the Falcon with a passenger turning the aircon on & off, I doubt I could pick when it's on... now.

When my cat was collapsed and clogged there was a noticeable difference between aircon on & off. My symptoms were exactly as the OP describes. I'd recommend checking the condition of the cat.

[AU3XSR]

Yep, I've also noticed that the engine runs smoother with a/c off. I'm getting a new exhaust soon so I'll be able to check the cat then.

[RG]

It is noticeable in every car, even in mine I can notice it.