IS2000

I heard that some cars such as the 350Z, Evo, M3 and etc. switch off the A/C compressor during wide open throttle starts. This serves 2 functions, it allows the power sapping A/C to disengage during race situations (WOT), thus, increasing power and it also prevents the A/C compressor from burning out at high rpms associated with driving aggressively.

Does this hold true for the GS? I usually turn off my A/C when faced with comparable performing cars such as the S2000 and WRX.

Johnny Mo

Someone mentioned that as one of the little known facts about the GS, so yes it does turn off the compressor during WOT.

sung35

Can someone explain WOT? What is it? I punched the pedel alot ot time to 6000 rpm, with AC on. Will it hurt my car? Said it ain't so, JohnyMo. I know you do to. Don't you love the rush of the air and the side views disappears quickly and the look on those cars' drivers you just dust.

Hung

bluelex

but do u need 2 turn the air back on after the fact or it turns itself back on?

IS2000

WOT - wide open throttle = pedal to the metal = lead foot = FLOOR it!

Even though the A/C light is on, it does not necessarily mean the compressor is running. This happens when the cabin temperature has reached the desired set temperature and as Johnny mentioned, during WOT situations. So, I guess I can quit turning off the A/C when I race.

Johnny Mo

WOT is Wide Open Throttle. Basically it comes down to a couple of things...from a customers point of view they would be pretty upset to have forked over 50 large+ for a 300hp car that can't get up and go (liek a 300hp car)when the A/C is running, second (just like the forced downshifts even in M/Sport mode), the vehicle/driver may need that little extra bit of "oomph" in a dangerous situation (like trying to avoid a wreck or something) where the extra passing power/need to find a lower gear comes in handy. So most well thought out vehicles will do this as a matter of customer comfort/safety.

WOT runs will not kill your car as long as you mind your temp gauge and change the oil/check fluids at the correct intervals. It may cause some extra wear on the tranny and tires, but it should be able to take some punishment.

Threxx

So at what point did lexus start with this feature on the GS?

Does my 99 GS4 do that? So there's no need to turn off the A/C next time? I guess next time I floor it I'll leave it on and put my hand up to the vent to see if the air temp changes...

Johnny Mo

The difference in temp will be unnoticeable, due to the brief nature of the shut down.

cyclemax

Hold it WFO on the highway for about 30 seconds, you should be able to feel it change temp.

sung35

What, WOT for 30 sec? The car will travel at max speed friend. Hope you can handle it. Unless you set it on Snow mode.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Latter, if this happens at all. Personally I've seen ZERO performance benefit from turning off the A/C.

Threxx

Actually at WOT a stock GS400 will be right around 130 MPH + or - 2 MPH depending on the temp, wind, car, etc.

Snow mode doesn't make any difference at WOT from what I've seen, either.... it only regulates the first 60-70% of throttle range, after that if you floor it, it still registers 100% to the ECT.

Johnny Mo

I think it'll be closer to 150... I think the governer kicks in at 152.

<<--YK-->>

Nifty feature...However, most cars have the same feature programmed into the ECM. For example, if the A/C is on in the 91 Cutlass, it'll turn the compressor (not the system) off after 9 seconds of WOT under light load conditions and 4 seconds under higher loads. Its not uncommon for most cars to have this feature. I think the manufacturers just figured that if you're hitting Wide Open Throttle, you probably want all the power you can get...just thought i'd throw that in..

cheers!

YK

Threxx

No, I meant a GS400 will be at right around 130 MPH after 30 seconds. The top speed is definitely much higher, but it takes more than 30 seconds to get there... that's all I was saying. The governer kicks in at 149 which Lexus put in place due to the factory V-rated tires (if they allowed the car to go faster and a tire blew, sending the driver into a spin, then it would be their fault instead of the tire manufacturer's). Top speed if the governer was removed, from what I've calculated, should be somewhere between 154 and 158 depending on conditions.