Power steering and a/c thoughts and questions.

[Spencer Fitch]

Kinda random post but I have one question and one statement.

First a/c was the biggest killer of my gas mileage. It easily took 5-10mpg off EASILY.

Second. I been coasting to stops (like end of drive stops) in my 2012 jetta and while I'm no where near ready to permanently mod my brand new jetta I have to say I notice NO difference with the engine off in steering. It's not the least bit hard.

I highly doubt it's electric I'll have to take a look but what's up with.


EDIT: wow with a little research... It is electric.. Now if someone made an electric a/c compressor

[ATaylorRacing]

My power steering removal was worth a solid 4 mpg improvement at 55-60 mph, 46 mpg compared to 42 on a slightly modded 95 Neon with SOHC base motor. I left the AC on it though. Driving at the same speeds with the AC on makes the car loose a solid 4 mpg too. On the dragstrip the PS removal was worth about 9 hp improvement to let it cut the ET in the 1/4 by a full 8 tenths! Years ago a underdrive pulley kit resulted in a much less improvement.

[cbaber]

If you transfer the A/C or other components to electric you still have a drag on the system but from the alternator now. Its less, but still there. Has anyone ever thought about spinning accessories using a turbocharger? Use the exhaust gas to generate the energy to power power steering or a/c.

[deathtrain]

Originally Posted by cbaber

If you transfer the A/C or other components to electric you still have a drag on the system but from the alternator now. Its less, but still there. Has anyone ever thought about spinning accessories using a turbocharger? Use the exhaust gas to generate the energy to power power steering or a/c.

use the search.... and you will be

[redpoint5]

The AC "hit" you take on your MPG depends on how efficient your car is to begin with, among other things. In my Subaru Legacy, the AC was negligible, probably less than 1mpg. In my Dodge Ram 2500 diesel, you wouldn't be able to measure how insignificant AC was.

In general, the better fuel economy a car gets, the bigger the impact will be on running the AC.