This morning I was farting around with my computer. I wasted to see if there was any change in MPG after installing the JCW intake (another post). I drive 38 miles to work and about 20 of it is along a very flat straight road. I set the cruse control for 64 and I was getting between 32-33.5 constant MPG over a few miles. When I turned off the A/C it went to 34-36 MPG.

It appears the A/C is a huge power hog on the Mini.

 

Thats right. I called my dealer and asked them if they knew why my MPG went from 22.4 to 19.8. They said that it was the A/C. They said things like the MINI doesnt have a lot of power to work with in the first place, so it takes a lot to turn over the A/C compressor.

But...the MINI does have a way to manage that. Try this. Turn on the A/C full blast just before you get on the highway. On the enterance ramp, (WITHOUT SPEEDING) floor it. You'll notice that the A/C and fans turn off. Thats the MINI realizing that you need more power at the wheels then A/C in the car. Once you let off, it turns back on.

 

I have noticed my mileage also changes but mine is more like 4MPG with out the A/C on.


Art

 

It's been so doggoned hot down here in South Carolina in the month I've had mine, I haven't had a chance to drive it with the A/C off!

 

Are you talking about the onboard computer showing a loss in mpg's? The reason I ask is because I have never seen more than a 1 mpg drop during the summer months. This is using the method of filling up the tank each time and calculating it against the miles driven.

 

Yep. Not running the A/C substantially improves your fuel economy.

But down here in South Florida that is simply impossible at this time of the year. It is too damn hot and humid outside!

 

Funny, I get 32 MPG AC on or off...

But if the AC is off, the winders are down!

 

^^ yeh, AC better air dynamics + better milage in summer, i think vs
driving around with the windows down and sweating like a hog.

but i rarely use my AC on the MCS... not enough torque down low imho.

 

I agree, Kenchan, there's not enough torque down low. However, I the Midwest, it's too friggen hot/humid for me not to indulge the AC. I've owned lots of toy cars w/4 cylinder rubber band engines. Supercharger or not, they struggle w/AC.

I don't care about losing a few mpg for AC, but I do wish the MCS had better throttle response when launching the car from any given stop light. I have developed a bad habit of "brapping" the gas peddle to keep the rev's high on hot/humid days just to get the car going. Yes, I've had the updates downloaded and it solved the original OEM stumble. OOPS... straying too far from the topic.

The trade offs are still worth it!