I try to drive with the AC off and the windows down whenever possible, but never at the expense of comfort. But when I do have the AC on, I have to alter my shifting. I have to let the clutch out much more quickly since the RPM's fall quicker with the AC. I expect the RPM fall to be normal, considering the AC is using the engine's power. But is it normal that I have to shift so drastically differently?? The difference is so pronounced that the other day when I had the AC on low (and forgot that it was on) and shifted into second gear (leaving 1st gear at around 3500 RPM) I forgot and shifted at the speed I normally would for the AC being turned off, I lit up the slip light.

Do you guys all experience this??

Thanks

 

i see nor feel any differance when using the a/c or not...

 

+1.

 

I feel the difference in my car as well, you have to drive slightly differently in order to get the completely smooth shift with the AC on in terms of matching revs.

I was just talking to someone about this the other day actually when we were going out on lunch with a few people from work in my car. I find it strange that you can really feel such a difference in the shifting smoothness in our cars with the A/C on considering that the engine is not some puny little 4-banger and should put out plenty of power to make the A/C sap almost not-noticeable. Most V8's that I've driven don't affect the shifting smoothness or RPM-drop rate at all(at least not noticeably) and most of the ones I've driven generally put out about the same power or less than our V6 does(in terms of HP/TQ), and even my little 4-banger 2.7 liter 150 HP/170 LB Torque Tacoma doesn't seem to have any impact from having the A/C on.

I suppose it may have something to do with the rather catchy clutch that we have compared to some cars stock clutches, and possibly due to the close-ratio tranny resulting in a minor RPM drop during shift transitions causing the RPM's to fall quicker out of the shorter natural time-based rev-match-on-RPM-drop range between shifts... but I still find it strange that it's soo much more noticeable on this car compared to others.

I drove a BMW ZHP 3.0 Liter straight-6 6MT today and payed attention to this A/C Sap effect... and that car, although slightly slower with the A/C on, didn't engage shifts any different between gears as a result of the A/C being on compared to when it was off and that thing only puts out about 235 crank HP and around 215 crank TQ(compared to our cars which put out about 35-45 more current-SAE crank HP and about 50-60 current-SAE lb. more crank TQ).

 

+1 I do use a faster shift action on regular shifts with the AC on because the revs drop a little quicker due to the drag on the engine; however, the difference is not much...

 

I definetly feel a difference when shifting with a/c on. Takes a little more gas pedal to get moving and rpms do drop slightly faster. I almost stalled last time i pulled out of a spot with the a/c on

 

Having the same issues with the a/c. I have a very hard time shifting smoothly with it on. Its like I'm learning how to drive stick again with the darn thing on!

 

The AC compressor will engage/disengage depending on engine load and throttle position.

Some drivers are also more sensitive than others, and the temperatures in your area will affect driving feel as well.

 

My friend makes fun of my shifting with the A/C on. So now I am trying to perfect my AC shifting lol.

 

the OP is talking about RPMs dropping drastically faster than normal with AC on when the clutch pedal is pressed.

Yes i have always noticed it and i can shift much quicker while shifting smooth with AC on due to RPMs dropping much faster for the next gear. It got me a lot of time to get used to it though because i rarely have ac on.

 

Sounds to me like you need a lighter flywheel

 

very soon, flywheel/clutch/tires. hmmmm there goes my money again.