Driving Habits - Use of A/C
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From: Fairfax Station, Virginia USA
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Hello to all you bimmer lovers!
Question: Do you turn off your air conditioner to achieve optimum acceleration? I say yes but my friend says there is no need to turn off the A/C when accelerating fast especially with the beast. With my 996, I usually turn off the A/C when I'm briskly changing through the gears. But with the M5, the A/C drain on the engine is not that noticable so I sometimes just leave it on. So does it really matter?
I guess I just want to know what is the "best practice" when accelerating hard on the M5.
Question: Do you turn off your air conditioner to achieve optimum acceleration? I say yes but my friend says there is no need to turn off the A/C when accelerating fast especially with the beast. With my 996, I usually turn off the A/C when I'm briskly changing through the gears. But with the M5, the A/C drain on the engine is not that noticable so I sometimes just leave it on. So does it really matter?
I guess I just want to know what is the "best practice" when accelerating hard on the M5.
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Well, when I first did my launches I forgot I had the A/C on and my times on my G-Meter weren't so great. Someone pointed out to me the obvious and my next couple of runs were much better. So, in any kind of spirited driving I always remember to turn off my A/C. 
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A/C sucks out 2 to 5 % of the engine power depending on the car/engine, so yeah, its noticeable. Having said that, I don't remember when I turned my A/C off last time. Hey, I live in TX! :-)
Radio takes up to 1%, headlights some too, so switch off all devices that you don't need for fastest acceleration. Also, close all windows/roof, fold mirrors? :-)
Radio takes up to 1%, headlights some too, so switch off all devices that you don't need for fastest acceleration. Also, close all windows/roof, fold mirrors? :-)
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Theoretically, a/c absorbs between 2-3 and 6-8 bhp depending on load. Whether you are going to notice on 500bhp in any but professionally tested conditions, I doubt. But in theory, yes, it will make a difference.
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In older GM vehicles the AC compressor would turn off under Max load on engine, but I guess that modern cars no longer do this.
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Originally Posted by VTbound' post='332341' date='Sep 8 2006, 12:05 PM
In older GM vehicles the AC compressor would turn off under Max load on engine, but I guess that modern cars no longer do this.
That wasn't intentional. It's just that GM cars suck ass, so when you pushed them hard, shit would cut out.
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Although I cant vouch for deffinate with the M5, most performance cars A/C is automatically turned off under full load.
However, I suspect even if it werent, you wouldnt notice the difference in an M5!
However, I suspect even if it werent, you wouldnt notice the difference in an M5!
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