Ive never had a car with air con before, driven few with it on but not for any period of time to notice much of a difference in the drive.

With my new coupe however ive noticed a greater braking effect from the engine in lower gears at low speed in traffic.

Obviously because of the engine driving it, id expect some difference, but is it normal for it to be noticable?

Cheers
Phil

I sometimes feel mine as it cuts in and out, depends on how much attention im paying to driving though!
Unfortunately it does sap the power, around 5bhp at high revs im led to believe.
I remeber hearing about Ford having problems with the engine sometimes stalling at idle when they first put it on small engined cars such as the Fiesta!

Maybe i answered my own question, just a little worried as ive never felt it before in other cars.

The ECU is supposed to up the idle speed a little to compensate.

If you *really* want to notice an aircon, try a Brasilian VW Gol - one litre engine, rubbish petrol, 40BHP on a *good* day... you have to turn the thing off to go up any serious hills.