Why does the car lose power when starting with the air conditioner on and pressing the accelerator deeply?
3 Answers
The reasons and solutions for the car losing power when starting with the air conditioner on and pressing the accelerator deeply are as follows: 1. Vehicle protection for the transmission and engine: This is a protection mechanism for the transmission and engine, and many car models are like this. In a cold state, the lubricating oil has not fully lubricated all components, and if the speed is suddenly increased, it will cause serious wear to the vehicle's transmission and engine. Solution: Wait for the car to warm up. 2. The car has a small displacement and is carrying a heavy load: For example, if you usually drive alone most of the time, but suddenly one day the car is fully loaded with five people, you will obviously feel insufficient power when starting. Solution: Clean the throttle valve and reduce the number of passengers.
After driving for so many years, I often encounter the issue of lack of power when starting the car with the AC on. Especially during the scorching summer, when the AC is turned on, the car accelerates as if dragging a heavy load, and even pressing the accelerator pedal hard doesn’t help. This happens because the AC compressor consumes a significant amount of engine power. The engine originally outputs power to drive the wheels, but once the AC is activated, the compressor takes away some of the torque, leaving less energy for acceleration. This is particularly noticeable in older cars or those with small-displacement engines. As for solutions, I usually turn off the AC before stopping at a red light and turn it back on after the car starts moving. This helps reduce the engine’s burden. It’s also important to regularly check the air filter and fuel system—keeping them clean can minimize the problem. A well-maintained car experiences less sluggishness from the AC, making driving safer and smoother.
I've thought about this issue. When the air conditioning is turned on, part of the engine's horsepower is consumed by the compressor, resulting in sluggish acceleration. Simply put, when the engine is working hard, the air conditioning acts like a glutton, stealing away some of the energy. This phenomenon is most annoying during city driving starts. If the car is older with significant carbon buildup, the situation can be even worse. To alleviate this, try pressing the accelerator more gently instead of flooring it suddenly. Additionally, switching to recirculation mode at red lights can reduce the air conditioning load. For newer cars, the electronic system might automatically adjust, but older cars require more attention from the driver. Regularly cleaning the throttle body is also a smart move—it can improve engine responsiveness and reduce the feeling of weakness during starts. There's no need to worry too much if you encounter this situation, but if it feels abnormal, it's best to get it checked and serviced.
