Am I a little crazy to not use the A/C when I take the car for a casual spin. I'm just riding around but I've got this thing in my head that using the air is taxing the engine. My wife wont ride with me(which isn't necessarily a bad thing) because I wont turn the air on. Am I crazy or maybe alittle nuts for thinking this? On a rare occasion I'll turn it on because I've heard you must run it to keep it operating otherwise seals and the like will crack. Any comments? Thanx

 

When it's real hot I use it, it's not taxing the engine. That said the compressor does utilize a few HP so your losing a bit of performance but it's pretty minimal and why drive around and sweat. Turn it on.
Using the AC occasionally keeps the seals in the compressor lubricated or so I'm told.

 

i seldom use it. i like driving with my windows down to hear the exhaust. but i'll use it if im trying to have a conversation with a friend in the car. i dont think it takes away much from the car especially if your not on the track.

 

I accidently had the A/C on during a DE and found no noticeable difference in HP. However, it did help to keep me dry when adrenaline was making my hands wet. Running the A/C is a lot better use of energy than divorce. Just my 2 cents.

 

You are nuts. I drive with the AC on all the time while it is on the street. Then again - I live in Texas.

 

this day in age i can't imagine there's that much parasitic drag from the compressor. i always leave it on and in auto.

 

I always got the AC on, putting it on "LOW" to keep cold during the laps on track also..

 

I use AC only in the street never in the trk.

 

I don't use it too much in the summer, I enjoy the sun and heat.

 

I have it on when I have the top down..cause that's how we roll in the OC!! lol

 

i have my AC all 100% of the time.

 

thank you all for your insight, it's greatly appreciated

 

don't sweat it!! really. make yourself comfortable. i use mine if i'm hot. i hardly notice a difference in power. in fact I'm really impressed by how a car like this can be so strong and so dialed and then you can drive comfortably in it with a/c!

07 RS
98 C2S
97 C4S
77 911s

 

thanks for the reply

 

FYI, in most cars when you are driving hard the AC shuts off anyways (not sure if the porsches do this)