I know when the A/C is on, you lose some power. But is it different in the Mini?

 

I think you're talking about the A/C compressor, and the MINI is the same as pretty much any other car, the compressor is driven by a belt off of the engine........

 

Exactly, but the Mini like most modern cars with DBW will disengage the AC compressor if you've been WOT for a certain amount of time, or if the RPM are over a certain speed for a preset amount of time.

Handy

 

Sorry to burst your Bubble but cars have been doing this for decades. My Old 88 chevy did this.

 

Modern is relative.

 

I'd consider your 88 chevy a modern car, but that's neither here nor there.. the difference is a speed based clutch release [mechanical] vs a computerized clutch in modern AC systems. Not the same solution to the problem but the same result. Case and point, I can set both throttle position vs time and RPM vs time thresholds for AC auto-release on LsX engines, DBW or cable driven, the TPS is the important part of that equation. In your '88 it was a mechanical clutch on the AC compressor that disengaged at a certain speed automatically, it started as a way to save the internal workings of the compressors, and once they realized that it could be a 'power' feature the RPM threshold got lowered a bit.


So... My bubble is fine. Besides, I'm just an LsX tuner in a mini, no need to worry about my bubble :D

and to the OP: yes, the AC compressor causes drag on the serpentine system when engaged, which will lose you a few HP (not many, but still, when you're dealing with a mini, it's a few) but as said above the clutch that drives the AC will let go even with the AC on when you get into it hard.

 

Oh sweet so the AC will actually free up some power when it's on? Not sure about the physics on that one but I'll be driving with the AC on all the time now.

 

"Oh sweet so the AC will actually free up some power when it's on?"

I think you misunderstood. He said the A/C will use more power when it is on. If you start accelerating hard with the A/C on, however, the electronics will turn off the A/C compressor to free up power, temporarily, while you're accelerating.

No free lunches at the MINI lunch counter.

 

Alas my sarcasm is lost. I know he really meant it would lose power not loose it upon the world. :P

 

I picked up what you were puttin' down.

 

Tough crowd, no more drunk posts for me apparently

 

So which are you going to quit...posting or drinking?

 

To answer the OP's question in a sideways manner, I always have the AC button on in my MINI (lots of humidity in Houston), and it's hardly noticeable. The AC compressors of today use much less power than those of 20 years ago when you could feel them kick in.

 

True dat.....

There's a substantial difference between my '03 and my '09 too.....

When the A/c was on on the '03 it felt like I was dragging a boat anchor till it got some boost up, on the '09 I hardly even notice it.

 

Just posting when the two overlap..

 

There are only a couple cars...hybirds that use a seperate motor to run the ac...and even this is a very recent devolpment...older hybirds would remain running, just to keep the ac on unless the heating/cooling was set to economy ( I have had the unfortunte experance of driving a few as "upgrades" for car rentals...if you view a car/driving as a way to get from point a to point b, and dislike the act of driving, it might be ok, but if you derive any pleasure/enjoyment from getting behind the wheel, they, in a word, suck).
Many makes/models for years have had the clutch on the ac disenguage for a while, like previouly said, under high load condition.