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Originally posted by Tony2005:
"That is one of the reasons that the A/C runs during the winter during the defrost mode, to help keep the oil distributed."

Huh???? Big Jim, are you saying that the A/c comes on when I have the heat (button turn to red) on and blower switch button on the defrost? Could you please clarify? Thanks.




Yep,

(I know I'm not Big Jim)

If you have the defrost on and the temp is above a certain temp (probably around 40-50 degrees F.), the A/C compressor will run to take moisture out of the cabin.

HTH,

T


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wow, didnt realize this would get such a big response. I havent really payed attention to MPG but I live in southern cali and I will sacrifice the mpg to have the air.

I read or heard somewhere as well that it was better to have the AC on vs the windows down at 60mph+.

Anyone have access to a dyno to test this?

so far we have gotten response from little or not notice to 15 hp loss or more..... interesting


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True, but remember that "little to no notice" and "15hp" are apples and oranges. one is an observation, the other a number.



Go with the numbers..

Just because someone doesn't NOTICE, doesn't mean it isn't doing it.

Ray


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Originally posted by DemonSVT:
Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
It's pretty minimal. Maybe a couple hp. You'll get just as good mileage with the AC on vs. windows down (better at higher speeds), so that says it's not huge.



Actually the A/C unit on our car SUCKS ASS. When running it robs about 20-30 TQ and the subsequent HP based on rpm. It's a steaming pile of inefficiency.

When it's not running is uses zero power.




20-30 tq! That's enormous! I have a big problem believing that. You're telling me with A/C on I have a Zetec. I've driven a Zetec, and the difference between A/C on and off in my car is barely noticeable. The Zetec was like a pedal-powered car. 5tq is noticeable at full-throttle, 10 tq is certainly able to be felt across the board. I can't tell when my A/C is on except at idle, before the engine cranks up to counteract it. So I was guessing less than 10 tq/hp. Sory Demon, but until I see numbers, I can't believe that. Maybe someone could put a torque wrench on the compressor and see how much resistance it has?


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I think if you have all of the windows down (rather then just the front 2), you promote laminar flow of the air rather then turbulent flow. Although it is still not as smooth as air flowing over closed windows, it will smooth things out enough.

I only use the AC when its raining or when I absolutely need to use the cell phone (w/ear-piece)... even then, I try to cycle between the AC and the vent. The compressor seems to rob a whole bunch of power, and I hate the surging/bogging feeling that it gives the engine (especially mid-shift).


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Originally posted by Ray:
True, but remember that "little to no notice" and "15hp" are apples and oranges. one is an observation, the other a number.

Go with the numbers..

Just because someone doesn't NOTICE, doesn't mean it isn't doing it.




Yeah, I'll go with the numbers when it's dyno-quantified. It seems to me like they're veering into histrionics right now...they sound as valid as the performance increases that are "suggested" by speed-part makers.


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Btw, does anybody use Normal A/C? I always leave it on Max A/C. I don't understand how the cabin could get too dry. I'd rather have cold air re-circulated than that hot, humid air outside.


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Is that what Max AC does?? I always used Normal just because I thought Max would be too damn cold. Hmm..


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Max AC recirculates the air in the cabin, and normal AC lets in and cools down the outside air IIRC.


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A good way to switch between max and normal is to start with normal with a window down. About the time you feel it cool enough to roll the window up it is cool enough for to switch to max. Sometimes you may want to leave it on normal a little longer, but usually not by much.

The A/C is most effecient when it needs to cool the air the least. If it is cooler outside than inside, use normal. If it is cooler inside than outside, use max.


Jim Johnson 98 SVT 03 Escape Limited
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