I was driving in my car the other day. I had 4 passengers in the car and had the AC on. I wanted to show off the car's power to them and went for it. But it felt much slower than I am use to. My passengers thought it was fast, but I know the car is much faster. Is this normal? Does the AC really rob that much power? Could it also be the fact that I had a full crew in the car? I drove the car the next day, just me and I didn't have the AC on. The car felt quick as heck!

 

AC robs ~25whp. There is a really good thread with dyno info by Shiv on here. Do a search.

 

Robs you blind, A/C on is VERY noticeable.

 

How about having the heater on???

 

well the four people in the car will make it noticably slower, but i have heard that the AC does rob a good amount of power, ive even heard double digit HP numbers, but i dont know if it is really that much

 

25 whp? that much is wacky.

does it burn gas too? just kidding. i know the answer

 

4 people alone will kill it. 4 people and A/C will do it even worse.

 

Wow! So next time I show off I better have it off. Maybe take them for a ride one by one.

 

the heater actually makes your car run a lil cooler.

 

I've always heard at WOT the A/C compressor will shut off for the moment.

 

I guess that is why I am quicker in the winter. Intake air is cooler, windows rolled up and AWD!

 

This is like asking if bears **** in the woods. Come on, how can you not know A/C rapes you of power? I've known that since I was 16 and have avoided using A/C for that very reason ever since (as long as possible). It also measurably reduces gas mileage.

 

Yeah my car still feels quick with just me in it and AC on.

 

I knew it robs power I just didn't know it would be that noticeable. I am glad no Mustangs or STi's were next to me.

 

Thats only on the eclipse's and talons.Mitsubishi robbed us of that feature.