View Full Version : hard car idle
I got my car back from the dealership for bad hydraulic lifters and mis fires. I noticed that my car idles hard when i turn on the AC. Is this normal, so far no CEL but is this normal? I know this problem is very vague but I need help because it doesn't feel normal.
13000 miles 2.0 T
i3oricua
09-26-2007, 10:00 PM
If you had a honda or something with a weaker engine then I would say yeah it will probably vibrate hard. However, I've never experienced this with my car. The A/C does cause a lot of strain on the engine power of the car but it shouldn't be that noticeable. Are you letting the car warmup? Even still, if the car is cold the idle should be a little higher from a cold start. I'd get it checked/logged at the dealership when you have time.
Tiesto
09-26-2007, 10:08 PM
I don't notice any sort of hard idle with the ac but you definitely need to be more generous on the gas when it's running.
Are you saying this happened after you got it back from the dealer? If so then bring it right back.
kdawgg
09-26-2007, 10:41 PM
if it doesnt feel normal, then i would take it back in. my car idles smooth even with AC on. i only feel some slight vibration when holding onto the shift knob (6 speed)
flath12
09-26-2007, 11:15 PM
i have the same thing, its a pretty rough idle until I shut the climate control off, then it smooths out. I took it to the dealership and told them about it and they didn't do anything.
Yea I have a feeling the dealership is going to say its normal since theres no CEL. Yes I did notice this after I got it back from the dealership. My gf has a civic and when i turn on her AC it doesn't even phase the engine?!! Well im going to call it in, wish me luck and ill keep you guys posted. one more thing, do you think it has to do with the oil? I remember reading somewhere that the stock oil sucks and I should change it every 5k. Last oil change was at 5000miles now its at 13k.
TJHUB
09-27-2007, 06:21 AM
Yea I have a feeling the dealership is going to say its normal since theres no CEL. Yes I did notice this after I got it back from the dealership. My gf has a civic and when i turn on her AC it doesn't even phase the engine?!! Well im going to call it in, wish me luck and ill keep you guys posted. one more thing, do you think it has to do with the oil? I remember reading somewhere that the stock oil sucks and I should change it every 5k. Last oil change was at 5000miles now its at 13k.
Out of curiosity, is this a Tiptronic car? Are you saying the idle is rough when in gear with the AC on or in neutral? What is the engine rpm in neutral (engine warm of course) with the AC off vs. on?
If you did not have the problem before the service on your and you do now, I would say the service completed may have caused a lower idle rpm on the car. This would in turn cause the idle to become rough with the additional load of the AC unit when on. If nothing else, compare your idle rpm to some of ours that do not have the issue and tell your dealer the idle is too low if it turns out it really is. Easy solution if you ask me.
Going to a dealership and expecting action on generalized complaint will normally get you nowhere.