Power lag when Using AC

[JeffG]

When using the A/C I'm noticing quite a bit of power lag. The car seems sluggish and just doesn't want to move... With the AC of it zips around just fine... For what its worth I'm in Colorado so High altiture (6,000ft). Ive done all the normal tuneup items... I had a 92 corolla that did the same thing.... Any suggestions?

[freakinbox]

is this a new thing that has started to happen? it's normal to feel a loss of power with the ac on, to a point that is. Maybe the pump is going?

[JeffG]

Hard to tell since I just purchased the vehicle used...
So from my point of view its always done it...
From what I remember of my 92 it feels the same amount of loss...
However I have an 04 Sienna that does seems to have a power loss when using the AC but not to the same level of the corolla.
However the Sienna is a v6 with a 5 speed auto vs my 3 speed auto

[TTercel]

I think its normal. On my Tercel when you put the A/C on the car get dangerously slow. You lose all passing power and if something were to happen in front of me and i needed to get the car moving it would never move, thats why i rarely use A/C

[94_Rolla_Guy]

this is pretty normal my 94 is like that my moms 96 corolla is like that my dads 96 camry is like that any small engined car will do that to an extent !

[JeffG]

Ok well at least I know... Between the V6 Sienna and the V6 truck I sold to buy the corolla I guess I have to get used to it...

On the otherhand, Its been almost 2 weeks since my last gas fillup and Im ony down to 1/2 a tank!!! vs filling up every week with that truck!

[cuzman]

a/c suxs a fair bit of power of the motor!
as the motor gets bigger or more power it produces the percentage of the a/c draw is less so you dont notice it as much!
Most cars have a simular a/c setup so they all draw about the same h.p
my mums got a micro car and the a/c pump looks like my fish tank pump lol and uses less hp to use as the car has'nt got much power anyway...the bloody gearbox is bigger than the motor..lol some cars have a funtion that turns off the a/c under full throttle......

[REN69]

Roll the windows down.. no power loss there.

[cuzman]

LOL.........i wonderd what that handle did?

[ToyotaMan1281]

i have no power loss with a/c on full blast, still have excellent acceleration and passing power, almost 230 miles with a/c on city and highway and still have a lil over 1/2 tank gas.. 2006 rolla LE 4 speed auto!

[cuzman]

last time i checked you have a shi* load of power with that model..lol
as above (power percentage)

[freakinbox]

yea when my a/c is on the car feels really weak... do one of two things. Run it until the ducts are cold in the dash then just leave the fan on. if it's ok outside open the vents to bring air in from outside. Or open the windows

[punter]

I notice if my a/c is on when up around 6~8krpm, but other than that i can't feel it.

What model corolla do you have??

[karugs]

The older models had more robust compressors and hence would consume more engine hp than newer, more efficient ones. Hence the increased power lag.

If you're in cool weather, just turn on the AC blower and not the motor. Set the fan to 1 or 2 and then switch to outside air. Gives you cool outside air and no power lag, and you keep the windows up too.

[519]

Originally Posted by REN69

Roll the windows down.. no power loss there.

Actually, windows down=drag=power loss