car repairs






 

Question by  susan27 (24)

How much horsepower does a car's air conditioning compressor use?

I think my air conditioner may be causing me to lose horsepower. I need to know how much it uses to determine if this is the problem.

 
+7

Answer by  tucsonics (7)

My 2002 Prius mpg dropped from 48-50 to 42 at best. The engine stayed on all the time. The current buzz around all-electric cars have not taken into account us drivers in Arizona who must use air conditioning. Electrics are impractical in hot climates and will not sell here.

 
+7

Answer by  interstellarsurfer (35)

Your cars' air conditioner can use up to 20% of your engine's available power when it's running, and consumes even more power when the compressor initially starts up.

 
+6

Answer by  bb (674)

a air conditioner does not use that much horsepower unless the compressor is going out or a bad bearing. the engine may have a drop in horsepower because of something else.

 
+6

Answer by  Joe57 (25)

About 20% of horsepower is lost when using your air conditioner,example: a reduction of 30 miles from 100 mph

 
+0

Answer by  khernau (0)

Great question. I have also heard that using the air conditioning takes up more gas than just having the windows down. I don't know how true that statement is though. It would nice to find out!

 
You have 50 words left!