Air Conditioning and Power

[The Black Pearl]

I noticed a difference in power when driving my TB with the air on. Anyone else notice the same?

[02EnvoySLE Guy]

No, I can't say that I have seen any significant difference :m2:

[XTREEME]

I noticed a difference in power when driving my TB with the air on. Anyone else notice the same?

Ya, there's a difference, especially on a hot and humid day when the A/C is working hard. I've noticed the 6 works a lot harder on it than a V8 does.

I remember when I used to have a 4 banger, how hard that sucker worked with the A/C on.

[Jman423]

I notice it too, but not as much as I did on the Grand Caravan I used to have.

[CarbonEnvoy]

I notice a little difference with the I-6, but nowhere near as much on other vehicles I've driven. The AC compressor steals a little power from any engine, so the more HP you start out with the less you'll notice what's being leached. The extra work hurts the gas mileage too.

[texas arsenal]

I havent noticed any difference and I use the AC alot.

Funny this should come up-
My father in law is always touting foreign cars and primarily Honda. He has a CRV and a Pilot and I wouldnt give you 10 cents for either one. I was riding with him the other day, he had the air on and he turned it off as we approched a hill. We are in Texas mind you so callling this thing a hill is a bit generous. I asked why he did that and he said he does that in all his cars and I said well if you buy a car that has some balls you wont have to do that.

Im not anti Honda (my other car is an Acura TSX) but I think their SUV's suck nuts.

[chivistb]

Yesterday I was watching a show called "MythBusters" they were trying to bust this myth that you get lower MPG with the A/C on or low MPG with the windows down, and guess what were the final results you get less MPG with your windows down than with your A/C on. True I don't know but I have believe on that due to they used computers hooked up to the SUV's computers. They used 2 brand new Expedition

[CarbonEnvoy]

I highly doubt it's necessary to turn of the AC in a Pilot to climb a hill. All the published 0-60 and quarter mile times I've seen are comparable or better than those for the TB/Envoy. That's without the extra 30 HP/Torque. It didn't feel at all under-powered when I test drove it either. In fact, I wish GM offered a modern a 5-speed auto like the Honda. Sounds more like one of those eccentric habits we all develop as we get older...

Not trying to start a GM vs.Honda rant. I like my Envoy better than the Pilot, but it is what it is. I think the Pilot is a very well designed uni-body SUV. It has more in common with the new Chevy Uplander than the Trailblazer/Envoy anyway.

[texas arsenal]

Youre 100% correct, the Pilot would have made up that "hill" just fine. The CRV on the other hand.....


I think you risk more damage by turning off the ac then turning it back on while at hwy speeds. I always turn the ac on shortly after pulling out of the driveway while at lowish rpm.