No, AC does not damage the car engine but can only slightly reduce the performance of the car. Every functional part of a car whether it be the alternator, car radio, Pumps, the power steering, air conditioner, and every other component draws energy from the car engine to perform optimally.
Full Answer
Why does my Car Slow Down while driving with the AC on?
It shouldn't act slow down while driving. The engine will slow down at idle. This is caused by the parasitic load of the a/c compressor. It takes from 5 to sometimes 20 h.p. to run the compressor. Because the AC compressor on a gas/diesel car runs on engine power/ it turns using engine power to compress the refrigerant gas.
How does the air conditioner work in a car?
When you turn on the air conditioning (AC) a component attached to your engine engages called the compressor. The compressor is basically a pump the moves the AC fluid (Freon) through your cars heating/cooling system. The compressor requires 5–10 horsepower to pump the fluid.
Why does my car's RPMs drop when the aircon is on?
At lower engine RPMS this can be felt depending on the car. Rpm reduced momentary because engine power devided for aircon use. Cars RPM drops when the AC is turned on because the AC compressor has kicked in. After the interior cools off, the compressor will cycle on and off.
Why is my air conditioner not blowing cold air in my car?
Condenser Blocked/Broken A broken condenser is another genuine cause for which your car AC may not work properly. It’s that particular unit in your car that keeps the refrigerant cool and then flows through the blower by converting the hot air into cool air. That air blows through the AC vents which you breathe inside the car.
Does AC affect car performance?
And when the engine propels energy to the cooling mechanism it will inevitably be dividing its full energy into two, effecting the throttle of the car. This simple knowledge proves that the AC puts extra inevitable pressure on the engine, thus having some effect on performance of the car.
Does AC reduce engine power?
When the AC system kicks on, you might notice that the engine RPM increases a little. According to Your Mechanic, the car does this in order to offset the power drawn by the AC system, so there's no doubt that the system robs your engine of horsepower when it's activated.
Why is my car sluggish with the AC on?
Even though only about 1/10th of horsepower runs an AC compressor, it makes acceleration very sluggish when the AC is on because it uses a lot of engine power to turn the compressor. This is why your AC needs to be off anytime you try to accelerate quickly.
Does turning off AC make car faster?
RAY: Yes it does, and no you won't. It does provide a power boost, and it does not harm the car.
Does AC affect RPM?
Does your car idle rough when you turn on the air conditioning? A brief initial loss of rpm as the AC comes on is normal. When the AC clutch engages to run the compressor, it places an additional load on the engine. But the car's computer (PCM) should bring the idle speed back up.
Can AC cause slow acceleration?
Also, your ride slows down because your AC causes your RPM to drop, which hurts your acceleration (you want higher revs when you attempt to speed up). You can even test this one out yourself if you have a manual transmission or a manual mode in your specific model.
Does running the AC drain a car battery?
Turning on the AC puts an additional load on the entire system resulting in the deficiency in the charging system further draining the battery.
How much power does the AC use in a car?
around 4 horsepowerIn a modern automobile, the A/C system will use around 4 horsepower (3 kW) of the engine's power, thus increasing fuel consumption of the vehicle.
Does the AC have anything to do with the engine?
Your car's air conditioning has the important job of controlling the temperature in the cabin of your car and in your engine. This keeps your vehicle's engine from overheating, and keeps you from you being stuck high and dry on the side of the road.
Why does my alternator draw so much power?
The reason you hear that is because the alternator draws considerable power from the crankshaft of the engine, just like the air conditioner. It has NOTHING to do with a poorly designed electrical system in the car, it has more to do with the amount of torque the motor has at low RPM just like vegetation said. The difference is the alternator can draw about 2hp (for an 85 amp alternator = 13.8v x 85 amps = 1173w now subtract about 30% due to power & efficiency loss in belt, alternator and regulator which adds up to around 1.5kw, or just under 2hp). Operating your electric windows will result in power drain from the electrical system, which causes the alternator to produce more energy, which causes the engine speed to drop as it becomes more difficult to rotate the alternator, the ECU of the car will slightly increase engine speed etc etc etc....
Does a V8 have AC?
A V8, on the other hand, has a ample supply of power at the same rev range so the AC makes little differerence. Some modern vehicles will shut the AC automatically if the throttle is applied fully, but this may take a few seconds to engage, so you'll still "feel the loss" for a second.
Does moving from a stoplight affect acceleration?
Mostly affects 4 cylinder vehicles as they have little low end torque, so moving from a stoplight (normally) will cause a noticeable lack in acceleration ability. For instance, your 120 peak hp 4 cylinder only products like 40hp at 1000-2000 rpm, so the AC which eats up 5-6 hp, can be very noticeable.
Does switching the air conditioner on decrease revs?
Switch the air con on and the revs will actually decrease since additional air/fuel cannot be automatically supplied to the engine, since the air conditioners compressor is slowing the engine. << It also takes more gas. As for the window issue, its not that big of a deal in most vehicles, but it is there.
Does listening to your car affect your rpm?
Yes it will. If you listen to your car while idleing, and turn on the A/C, you should notice the car's rpm increase, becuase the A/C compressor is taking more juice to turn it. Thats why its only on half the time, even when your A/C is running.
Does A/C affect performance?
Your A/C creates an extra load on your motor, so simple physics would dictate that YES, there will be a corresponding performance drop.#N#Operating power windows during acceleration in some cars will produce a noticeable drop in power.
Does a compressor cutoff help with stoplights?
A compressor cutoff for WOT does little to help the change noticed in everyday driving. Very seldom, unless you're an idiot, does one use WOT to get started from stoplights and make a left turn through traffic. In these situations, the power loss from the AC must still be compensated for.
Lack of Gas In the System
With the amount of car makes and models in the marketplace there is going to be a large variation in the amount of gas – whether R-22 or R-32 – a system needs to fill up.
Car Aircon Part Fault
Things get a bit more in depth here and unless you are a decent level DIY mechanic most of these faults will need to be confirmed and repaired by a qualified HVAC technician.
Aircon System Leak
Quite obvious really but that’s why it’s left to the end. Just like any low level of fluid in your car, there are consequences.
Why is my car AC not working?
Leakage in the refrigerant is another cause for which your car AC may not work. Actually, the refrigerant keeps your cabin cool. In maximum cases, this has been seen that leaking in the refrigerant is a usual cause for the car AC to malfunction. Such troubles pop-up when your car meets an unexpected accident.
Why does my car's air conditioner not work?
The compressor needs a lot of power and energy to work fully functioning. If the compressor gets weak or worn out by constant usage then there is a noticeable lack of energy in compressor which leads to AC malfunctioning. Week Compressor belts prevent your car from starting it up. Those compressor belts usually drive the power and energy functioning in your vehicle. When it malfunctions, the Air Conditioner does not work as it’s expected.
Why isn't my AC cooling?
Top 10 Reasons that your Car AC isn’t Cooling Enough. An overheated engine will make the fan in the radiator ineffective always. It will not only stop the condenser from cooling the vehicle as well as the maximum efficiency of the refrigerant will be used to blow in hot air inside the car. Getting professional’s assistance is always better ...
How to tell if air cooler is working?
You can also run a DIY diagnosis however to realize how good is it working. Use your hand palms in front of your AC vents and feel the speed of airflow within your hands. If everything sounds good, the air cooler is working perfectly fine. If not, the blower will not spin at the required speed and you’re going to feel it on your hand palm. That’s when you need a mechanic to fix a technical issue like this up.
How long does it take for an AC compressor to work?
If you’re switching on your AC of your vehicle after a long time, say for 15-20 minutes, irrespective of the weather outside, the compressors are expected to work properly.
Why does my car AC vent not work?
Mould and Mildew Build-up. When we tend to keep the car AC On for a long time, small microorganisms can block the AC vents. These bacteria can block the AC vent and affect the cooling procedure. When this happens, no matter how much you try, the vents don’t work properly.
Why does my AC hose leak?
Such troubles pop-up when your car meets an unexpected accident. The AC hose leaks from the joints and it’s very hard to point out where the damage has been caused. The oily substance that gathers around the hose indicates leakage in the refrigerant. In short, your refrigerant is damaged and you need to get that repaired.
