When I'm driving w/ air condition off I can shift smoothly anywhere from 2000RPM~whatever, but it seems like I can only manage to shift smoothly with my A/C on when I'm shifting around 3000RPM(or higher) or else the RPM drops pretty fast as soon as i disengauge the clutch to up shift and my car will jerk (If I shift at or less than 2700 RPM)

Is this normal? I dunno, maybe you experienced expert can fill me in on this. I've been driving my first stick shift for about 10months.

P.S. Moderators please delet the "Shifting Gears when A/C is on Kinda different " thread, it got screwed up for some reason so it doesn't show correctly.

 

hmm Ive heard that once your AC is off it stops using that pully therefore giving u extra HP. I always race with my AC OFF. Wierd tho...

 

When I origanally dyno'd my car in the fall, I usually keep my keep my front defrost on low. I dynoed about 7 hp more w/ it off and about 10 tq more w/ it off... I can't imagine how much the A/C will rob you. Definately keep all accessories off when either racing or dragging.

 

So neither of you guys feel a differen't feeling in gear shift and clutch release between when A/C is on or off? and I'm just talking about normal driving, not racing.

If you guys shift with a/c on at 2500RPM the car won't jerk or anything?

 

It may feel a little different becuase even with the clutch in, the engine is still under load.

 

Its completely normal to feel both a slight stutter in acceleration, as well as a jerkier clutch engagement, when you turn the AC on. The jerkiness of the clutch engagement will be exaggerated even further if you have an aftermarket clutch, which wants to engage even harsher with the increased engine load.

 

Thanks for the help, all I need to know is its "normal" to feel a bit different in clutching and shifting actions when the a/c is on.

so for those of you driving with a/c on, what RPM do you guys usually shift at? during regular driving?

Personally, I shift around 3000RPM for a smooth shift.

 

MEVI = 6800

 

Your MPG must be horrible~~

 

 

Yup. It's normal. Here's a bullet proof way to shift the 5 speed:

AC OFF
1-2, shift relatively slowly, the gears are spaced wide apart.
2-3, 3-4, and 4-5, shift fast as the gear ratios are closer and synch better with fast shifting.

AC ON
Same as above excpet 1-2 you now have to shift fast because the rpms are dropping faster, fast enough to even accomadate the wide gear spacing.

DW

 

Turn off A/C while shifting.

 

haha. good one!!!

 

I usually drive with my windows down, even during a 80+ degree day, but its been reaching 95F lately I can't stand driving without A/C no more

 

I live in HOUSTON TX! We invented AC. WE HAVE TO HAVE AC! So when I race I turn it off and suck it up.... :P

 

What RPM do you shift at using these steps?

 

This is for normal day to day driving, when you're in the 2000 - 3500 rpms range. If you're 1/4 miling, then just shift as fast as you can

DW

 

Thx!

 

Really, it shouldn't be too much trouble to reach up before the shift and turn off the A/C, then turn it back on after the shift, right? Problem solved!

 

Turning the Air Compressure ON and OFF constantly can't be good... Is that how you drive your car?