Weight of A/C system.

[ladyofluck]

okay, i've heard that Ferrari Enzo doesn't have A/C, or the power window for the sake of speed. the thing is, how heavy is the A/C system itself? would it make much of a difference in common cars?

i mean if A/C weighs like 100Kg then maybe it's good to not have it. also saves gas too..

so.... how much do they weigh? anybody knows? thx

[toyomoho]

Car and Driver review states the car has AC and power steering. Weight about 1365 kg.

If this is a street machine then owners will expect some comforts.

To check out vehicle weight vrs accel try the link below:

http://www.web-cars.com/math/qtr_mile.html

Weight does make a difference on MPG, perhaps 1% MPG for every 45 kg.

[Hajoca]

It is more than just weight, the engine will require to supply these ancillary devices with power through a belt/gear or electrically, so all these comforts take away from the available performance.

From a normal car, like my old Cavalier
A small car's A/C compressor and clutch is about 10 lbs. Condenser in front may be another 6lbs, Evaporator in cabin 2lbs. Add wires and hoses and connectors another 10lbs. so I would guess a weight of 30 lbs would be a good estimate.

The AC also consumes about 10 to 15 hp when it is on, and will take away performance.

[marc780]

if Ferrari made A/C for their cars it would look like a beautifully jeweled piece of metal art, be made of magnesium or at least aluminum and weigh less than 10 lbs. It would also cost $5000 to replace, the engine would have to come out to access it, both of which might be a problem because the A/C would break within less than 10,000 miles.
If the A/C is broken anyway, and you cant afford to fix it, and you are worried about the weight, take it off. If the A/C works, i'd suggest maybe waiting for if/when it breaks and then and only then, take it off for a weight savings. I have to remind you that if you change your mind later and decide you want A/C its not easy or cheap to set it up again.

[PatrickGSR94]

If you don't use A/C, then take it out. I would personally keep it in, even in Canada, because I'm sure there is moisture build-up inside the car at times, and you need the A/C to dry out the air.

So if you don't use, don't use it. But keep it for when you might need it. Keeping it but not using it (having the weight just sitting in there) is NOT going to make any noticeable difference in performance or fuel economy.

[ShawnD93Toy]

Driving a camry, the weight would not be significant enough to mess up your mpg. Camrys weigh like 5 million pounds as it is.