Air conditioner really kills mileage

[Phantom]

I need to get my AC fixed I thought that it just needed a charge I did not have enough to fully charge it I got another tank went to add more and the compressor no longer comes on. So now the question is wait till next year to fix it have it fixed now or remove the belt.

Does anyone know what kind of gain or rotating mass would be removed by bypassing the AC pulley (not engaged)?

If I get it fixed I think that I will be reducing my AC disable TPS% to ~15% stock is like 80%. That way I will eliminate the extra loss going up big hills and let me know when I am using to much throttle.

[Arragonis]

Is there a different system for some cars ?

Being in Scotland I'm more likely to die of exposure and trench foot than heat but I have AC in my car and I have used it - about 10 times in 5 years for about 10 minutes each time.

For some reason I have never felt any effect of using it - no power drag, no extra fuel consumption, nothing. It does work - if its on then the air from the vents is freezing. But it seems to have no effect other than cooling.

My older Peugeot 206 with climate control certainly felt the effect of AC, it would gain 5-10 mph when I switched to 'econ' mode.

Scary.

[Laurentiu]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Is there a different system for some cars ?

1. I have used it - about 10 times in 5 years for about 10 minutes each time.

2. For some reason I have never felt any effect of using it - no power drag, no extra fuel consumption, nothing.

Scary.

you're kidding , right ? How in the world could you tell if the thing is never on



Anyway, you have a high power TDI and the bigger the engine the less effect I would think.

Friend of mine has a Suzuki Alto 0.8/ 39hp and when it's on AC it barely moves along I rode with him once on the highway, AC on and at 100km/h it seemed to be dying under us...

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Laurentiu

Anyway, you have a high power TDI and the bigger the engine the less effect I would think.

Maybe thats one advantage of the little car / big engine thing. I see no other advantage so far.

Seriously though no effect at all.

My 206 had the 2 litre HDi engine and it dragged a lot like you describe. A quick trip to my parents (250 miles each way) and it really stopped me cruising at anything over 75 as it just would not climb hills with AC on - I didn't actually know it was on because this car had climate control so it used it when it needed to.

But in the Fabia - nothing. When I first got the Fabia it was winter so I didn't use it. Then when I tried it worked and made me cold. I tried it again with Arragonis Jnr (who always likes to play with buttons) turning it off and on but all we got was cold. We tried it in traffic (idling) and again, no effect at all except we got cold again, no extra idling speed, no noise, nothing else apart from cold inside.

The AC was checked on its last service as a company was hoping to get some business from people who found theirs not working and was checking serviced cars with AC for free - and mine passed.

Strange.

Although I would like to change Helga for a hyperecodiesel (e.g. C1 or Bluemotion), every now and again (such as my 100 mph/ 40 MPG dash to England recently or her 110 mph on cruise control 500 metres behind a Bentley GT on the way home at 11 pm at night - he was my radar detector) she comes up with a reason not to.

She's a keeper I think.

[Laurentiu]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

She's a keeper I think.

for sure ! ! it's really a pity Skoda didn't come with a Fabia II TDI RS or maybe they will in the future ? I think that 7 speed DSG from the gasoline RS coupled with a TDI would really do wonders in terms of FE

C1...mm...more like a ladies car plus only ~90 Mph max. speed...like my old banger which for someone who travels a lot on the motorway would not make too much sense...

Polo Blue motion...now that's a different story...this one can probably cruise comfortably at 80-90 mph, maybe even 100 and that combined with 71MPG combined/85 highway... that I would definitely like to get my hands on..and would most probably fall in love with

[gone-ot]

...here in southern Arizona during the summer months (105-115°F), A/C is almost manditory, but we do pay a penalty!

...my FE drops 10-11% with A/C on, from 39 MPG down to 35 MPG, on the highway; but even MORE so during in-city driving.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Laurentiu

C1...mm...more like a ladies car plus only ~90 Mph max. speed...like my old banger which for someone who travels a lot on the motorway would not make too much sense...

Yeah but the C1 Diesel has a turbo.

And a turbo is a wick.

And a wick can always be turned up - or indeed down as required.

And apart from the occasional 100 MPH + episode I average about 60 these days.

[Laurentiu]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Yeah but the C1 Diesel has a turbo.

Doesn't the Polo also have a turbo/intercooler ? I'm sure it does..Maybe you mean the 1.4 Hdi might have more potential .

This got me drooling

[Arragonis]

The Polo does also have a turbo / intercooller. But the C1 is lighter and if it's faster then its less of a 'layydeees' car.

Plus the C1 is available without any spannering

[Laurentiu]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

The Polo does also have a turbo / intercooller. But the C1 is lighter and if it's faster then its less of a 'layydeees' car.

Plus the C1 is available without any spannering

I do give you the argument of price difference... ~ 4.000 quid can buy you a lot of gas...even in the UK

Lighter yes. Faster (factory specs) no, also faster acceleration in Polo

Plus everybody knows the color code : Blue is for boys, Pink is for girls