Okay, so of course having the A/C on draws power away from the engine, that's a given, but does anyone else experience any kind of surging or shuttering when you have the A/C on and your just at a constant cruising speed? I've noticed lately when I have the A/C on and I'm doing say 60 MPH steadily the car feels like it's surging ever so slightly, almost like there's a head wind pushing on the front of the car making it lose momentum for a split second and then gain it back. I don't know if I'm just paranoid or what but it doesn't seem normal. I've experienced the lag due to having the A/C on in other cars but this feels different. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Is it possible what your feeling is the compressor cycling on and off or is it fast and repetitive ?

 

Hmm, the best way I can describe it is like a small surge in momentum every few seconds, pretty consistant though, so I'm not sure.

 

i'm getting the same thing, and yes...it is fast and repetetive, why does it do that?

 

^ Guess I'm not just paranoid.

I was actually wondering if a pulley would fix the problem since it'll slow the accessories creating less of a draw from the engine?

 

whatever it is, it's really annoying...i have to get my 90k service done in a week so ill ask my guy to take a look at it...

 

i think it might be the compressor turning on and off. you can feel the car surge foward at a stop light when the compressor turns on.

 

I think I'm experiencing the same thing. . .when my AC's on you can hear it running at a steady pace, and then all of a sudden it goes down to a dull roar, the lights/dash lights dim for a split second, and it all goes back to normal. This happens every minute or so, and ONLY when my AC is on. . .Is this what you guys are talkin about?!!

 

I know what you're both saying about when the car's stopped and the compressor kicks on or off and the car shutters for a split second and the lights dim and you can hear the air coming out of the vents get more powerful and the engine seems to idle higher, but this is while crusing on the highway at a constant sped, but who knows, maybe it is the compressor turning on or off, just when in motion. Interesting.