I bought my car without ac and ps but the previous owner threw in both the ac and ps and since I've owned my car they have been laying around in the garage. So I'm doing some spring cleaning and instead of leaving them just lying there I was thinking maybe I should install them, since summer is around the corner and if its my dd might as well put on the power steering. I know they are commonly taken off to reduce weight but I figured it isnt more than 40 pounds and for the daily comforts it might be worth it.

Now the question is will ac and ps take away power from the cars engine?

 

Of course it will. A/C more than P/S.

 

even when the isnt on it still takes away power?

 

a/c won't take away as much when its not on because when you turn it on it activates a clutch that puts more strain on the motor.

i've got a vx model honda and living in central texas, a/c is not really an option. not looking forward to the mpg loss (power loss i could care less but i prefer not to shift to 4th when going up hills lol)

i wouldn't even both with power steering..

 

a little the belt is still spinning the pulley the a/c clutch locks it all together but unless its a race car for everyday driving the benefit out ways the loss i'm going to add a/c to my car shortly

 

The AC pulley weighs about a pound... so. Unless you have the AC (which you wouldn't if you're driving it hard for power anyway) you're losing pretty much nothing.

The power steering will only take as much as it takes to pump the fluid which is obviously much harder when you're turning but even then it really isn't that much.