A/C slows me down.

[cloh09]

Is it just me, or does the a/c being on bog everyone down? I can't accelerate the same way as with the a/c off. It's like the motor has so much extra load and doesn't want to get out of its own way. If I really gas it, it works better. Almost like a mass air flow not working properly. The motor runs fast and smooth as ever with the a/c off, though.
Any thoughts? :shrug:

 

[Guitarplaya39]

Well theres no question that the AC does rob horsepower trying to compress fluids. I notice a little bit on my V6, but not nearly as bad as my old 4cyl sedan. While accelerating, I dont really notice a big difference, its only when going up slight hills on the highway it seems to downshift sooner and harder.
Tried cleaning the MAF, throttle body etc? How old are your spark plugs?

 

[Steamdonkey]

Is it just me, or does the a/c being on bog everyone down? I can't accelerate the same way as with the a/c off. It's like the motor has so much extra load and doesn't want to get out of its own way. If I really gas it, it works better. Almost like a mass air flow not working properly. The motor runs fast and smooth as ever with the a/c off, though.
Any thoughts? :shrug:

With the A/C on you'll have the following performance reducing effects:

1. Direct compressor load transferred through the serpentine belt.

2. A/C condensing coil warming up the air ahead of the radiator. This raises temperatures under the hood which increases intake air temps and may engage the fan which is a substantial mechanical load.

FWIW, my '04 V8 has ZERO low end power at high temps or high elevations. Below 3000 RPM it does NOTHING. In order for your Toyota V8 to perform, it needs cool, dense air. If you want satisfactory performance, move to a colder climate or buy another vehicle.

 

[zimdba]

FWIW, my '04 V8 has ZERO low end power at high temps or high elevations. Below 3000 RPM it does NOTHING. In order for your Toyota V8 to perform, it needs cool, dense air. If you want satisfactory performance, move to a colder climate or buy another vehicle.

I disagree. I don't have any problems with off-the-line punch, nor around-town cruising. On the highway I may have to kick-down a gear to maintain my 80mph cruising going uphill, but that's about it. The A/C effect is there, but not a big deal IMHO. I live at 6500 ft, have an '04 V8 and 113K miles.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Air conditioning will always have a parasitic effect since it requires a lot of energy to run. I don't notice much bog down or hesitation with the HCF delete and a K&N filter since my engine is breathing pretty well, I still can get pretty good movement and accelleration

 

[cloh09]

Yea I figured it was a common deal. It mainly happens going uphill. The plugs are due for replacement this summer as well as the timing and serpentine belt and all that jazz.
And I'm not moving to a colder climate or getting another vehicle. I will just deal with the semi sluggish take off.

 

[cloh09]

Yea I figured it was a common deal. It mainly happens going uphill. The plugs are due for replacement this summer as well as the timing and serpentine belt and all that jazz.
And I'm not moving to a colder climate or getting another vehicle. I will just deal with the semi sluggish take off.
Thanks for the replies. At 180k I'm not too worried.

 

[CXS]

Is it just me, or does the a/c being on bog everyone down? I can't accelerate the same way as with the a/c off. It's like the motor has so much extra load and doesn't want to get out of its own way. If I really gas it, it works better. Almost like a mass air flow not working properly. The motor runs fast and smooth as ever with the a/c off, though.
Any thoughts? :shrug:

I think you have a problem. Out of curiosity I just tried mine ('05 Limited V8, 170,000 miles) and I turned on my A/C full blast, lowest temp setting and could hardly notice any change at all. It's 85 degrees at 5280'.

 

[cloh09]

I think you have a problem. Out of curiosity I just tried mine ('05 Limited V8, 170,000 miles) and I turned on my A/C full blast, lowest temp setting and could hardly notice any change at all. It's 85 degrees at 5280'.

It's not too bad I guess. It's sluggish up hills from a stop, but after driving this afternoon, as long as I kept the rpm's above 2k while accelerating I was ok. Just had to adjust a little for driving with the a/c. I may have panicked a bit.
Thanks for the concerns and insight guys it helped me understand a lot more.

 

[Sporin]

I honestly don't notices a ton of difference with my V6 here at 1000'±.

Then again, my other car is a Prius, so the 4Runner pulls like a Veyron in comparison.

 

[Victor]

With the A/C on, I don't notice a difference in the power loss. However, when the compressor cycles on and my foot is partially on the brake and it idles up automatically and lurches the 4Runner forward, I notice.

 

[RPC]

Is it just me, or does the a/c being on bog everyone down? I can't accelerate the same way as with the a/c off. It's like the motor has so much extra load and doesn't want to get out of its own way. The motor runs fast and smooth as ever with the a/c off, though.
Any thoughts? :shrug:

Mine does the exact same thing, has since mile 1.

 

[CXS]

Then again, my other car is a Prius, so the 4Runner pulls like a Veyron in comparison.

:bravo:

I visited your link, are you Jake? Either way, love the uke version of Bohemian Rhapsody!

 

[Steamdonkey]

I disagree. I don't have any problems with off-the-line punch, nor around-town cruising. On the highway I may have to kick-down a gear to maintain my 80mph cruising going uphill, but that's about it. The A/C effect is there, but not a big deal IMHO. I live at 6500 ft, have an '04 V8 and 113K miles.

Maybe we have different expectations or maybe my 4Runner isn't running right. It seems decent off the line but on the interstate it really struggles at high altitudes when it's warm. I-80 / I-84 in Utah and western Wyoming have countless hills that required my 4Runner to downshift every time, once or twice it dropped down to 3rd. Meanwhile the other car in our caravan ('10 Outback 3.6R) seemed to climb the hills effortlessly.