With summer on the horizon, I\u2019ve been starting to think about investing in a vehicle and hitting the open roads. Scanning the online car listings, you soon get an idea of what\u2019s important, and I reckon having a reliable, working air conditioning unit is key to a comfortable ride, no matter what season you\u2019re in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having always been curious about the way air conditioning can affect a car\u2019s performance, we\u2019ve done a little deep dive into the subject.
Basically, every time you decide you need to cool-down or warm-up, your air conditioning system starts to draw power from the engine. All good, but bear in mind it’s also sending power throughout the rest of the car as well, including all those little pumps, valves, the power steering, and so on. So, yes, there can end up being a little bit of an internal power struggle, if you will.
You might notice your RPMs increase while you\u2019re at a standstill with the air conditioning on blast. It\u2019s just working that little bit harder to keep everything going. That said, it\u2019s pretty hard to determine exactly how much power each component is using, it comes down to a whole bunch of variables, not least your car\u2019s make, model and year, as well as its general condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s worth noting that air conditioning draws more power from smaller, city-bound cars than their larger, full-engine contemporaries with V8 or V12 engines.
However, if you\u2019re a speedfreak, you\u2019re going to notice these fluctuations in engine performance a lot more, not matter what car you\u2019re driving, or whether the air conditioning is switched on. Minor accelerations can result in unsuspected shifts that are caused by the dynamics of your engine\u2019s power draw, including whether you\u2019ve got the air conditioning on blast. The status of the air condition can definitely have a bearing on the intensity here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More conservative drivers are less likely to really notice these differences, and hey, each to their own, we say!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how can we minimise the impact of air conditioning engine performance? Here\u2019s a few ideas to chew on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, yes, while it is quite the unbeatable feeling to step into an air conditioned car, its worth bearing in mind that this experience enhancing feature does take a toll on engine performance. Though, with a few conscious habits, you can avoid feeling the battery burn of long rides in harsher climates, or freezing your way through traffic in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just stay mindful of the extra pressure that\u2019s being put on the engine and you\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 If you are thinking it\u2019d be worthwhile getting your air conditioning checked out by a professional<\/a>, the team at My Auto Shop can make life a breeze with a local mechanic that meets your budget.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n