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Why does the a/c effect my car

18K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  1gt289  
#1 ·
I have a 96 v6 mustang, when I turn on my a/c my car becomes sooo sluggish and slow and chugs gas, it jerks a lot between shifts and especially getting into first gear, I don't know why this happens but I don't like it if there was a way to fix these could someone please tell me!? The car is basically stock. It's about 100 degrees outside and not turning on the ac dosnt sound too reasonable
 
#2 ·
when you turn the ac on, the engine now has to drive the compressor which is more resistance on the system. It's normal. That's why you'll see some people delete the ac system and put a ac delete pulley in it's place.
 
#4 ·
It will use some power, but It shouldn't bog the car down. Either there is something wrong with the a/c causing too much drag on the engine, or your car needs a tune-up. My 98 barely notices it when I turn the ac on.

I've seen a/c that were overcharged that would do this. I would start by checking that first.
 
#5 ·
Tib said:
when you turn the ac on, the engine now has to drive the compressor which is more resistance on the system. It's normal. That's why you'll see some people delete the ac system and put a ac delete pulley in it's place.

I would do this but I'm not the only one that drives my car my dad uses it a lot and if I mentioned deleting the ac he'd prolly kick me in the butt lol
 
#6 ·
Greg687 said:
It will use some power, but It shouldn't bog the car down. Either there is something wrong with the a/c causing too much drag on the engine, or your car needs a tune-up. My 98 barely notices it when I turn the ac on.

I've seen a/c that were overcharged that would do this. I would start by checking that first.
When I use my ac it sorta does bog the car down I mean why would I need a tune up tho my car is basically stock under the hood and ive never messed with the ac system I'll check and see if it's overcharged but I've had my car for 2 years the first year I had it for 5 to 6 months and some dumb lady ran a red light and t- boned me I had Liability insurance so I was stuck with the repairs, 7 months later she was back on the road again idk if this could have effected it I never remember how it was before the crash cus I bought it in winter and never used the ac back then
 
#12 ·
I would say it's normal...keep in mind your car is 15 years old, so the A/C system may be worn and working harder. My car runs harder when the A/C's on as well...I too have a CAI and you can hear when the engine is working harder, especially at idle. It's normal to use more gas when the A/C's on...this in addition to radios and power options takes power away from the car causing a slight decrease in performance and more fuel consumption.

It is possible the unit's overcharged...it's possible something might have happened after your accident and repairs. I'd start there...
 
#14 ·
sonicpony03 said:
I would say it's normal...keep in mind your car is 15 years old, so the A/C system may be worn and working harder. My car runs harder when the A/C's on as well...I too have a CAI and you can hear when the engine is working harder, especially at idle. It's normal to use more gas when the A/C's on...this in addition to radios and power options takes power away from the car causing a slight decrease in performance and more fuel consumption.

It is possible the unit's overcharged...it's possible something might have happened after your accident and repairs. I'd start there...
Yea I'm going to check it tomorrow to see if it's overcharged and do you think a cai would help me out? Like I Saudis eats more gas but I can smell it inside the car, I doubt that's normal, but it may just be me
 
#16 ·
Greg687 said:
You shouldnt smell gas inside your car. Bad.

You need a tune up periodically because stuff wears out. If you've never done one on this car, you don't know the maintenance history. Lots of reasons to tune it up...
It's got new oil, oil filter, spark plugs, wires, battery, air filter, it's not a strong scent of gas it's slight but just enough to be noticeable, only with the ac on tho
 
#18 ·
bobbytheapple said:
Hmm...a gas smell sounds a little more serious that just slowing the car down. Not sure that a CIA would help that but it would help some with the power issue. I'd check the compressor pulleys and stuff like that while your at it.
Good luck.
Thanks the gas smell use to be quite strong but over time it's not really noticeable only occasionally,I might get a cai to se if I get some power back at least, any other mods I can do to help?