Does Turning on the Air Conditioner Affect Turbocharged Engine Performance?
2 Answers
Turning on the air conditioner does have some impact on turbocharged engines. Here are some precautions regarding air conditioner usage: 1. Select the appropriate fan speed: During normal vehicle operation, to prevent excessive frost formation on the evaporator which could affect the air conditioning system's performance, avoid setting the air conditioner's fan speed and temperature control at the lowest settings for extended periods. 2. Adjust habits correctly: Based on the principle that cold air sinks and warm air rises, the correct adjustment method is "when cooling, direct the air vents upward; when heating, direct the air vents downward." 3. Regularly activate the air conditioner in winter: Prolonged disuse of the air conditioner can lead to aging of its rubber seals and drying out of the lubricant on internal components. Regular activation allows the components to be lubricated, maintaining good condition. Therefore, it's advisable to activate the air conditioner every 1 to 3 weeks during winter.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience driving turbocharged cars, I do feel that turning on the AC noticeably reduces power, especially when climbing hills or accelerating. Since the AC compressor is driven by the engine, it consumes about 10% of the engine's power for cooling. Having driven several turbocharged models, I've observed significantly delayed throttle response with the AC on, particularly during stop-and-go city driving in summer. To cope with this, I usually turn off the AC a few seconds before hard acceleration or perform regular engine maintenance to prevent compressor aging. In the long run, the impact is minor, but do note slightly increased fuel consumption. While AC brings comfort, it's important to balance driving safety and comfort—I recommend adjusting usage flexibly based on road conditions.
