Car engine struggles when A/C is on?

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Emily K

New member
When I turn the air conditioning on, you can here the engine kinda try to work harder and it makes a little louder noise. I especially notice it when I'm stopped in traffic, but that's probably just because everything is quieter. I just want to know if this is ok, or if running the A/C is going to make my car die or something. Right now what I do is only run the A/C when I'm on the highway which is getting annoying. I have a 1997 Mazda Protege.
The car does not drive noticeably different with the A/C on, and the sound is not extremely different but definitely noticeable to me because I'm paranoid about my car dying.
 
That is nomal. When the a/c pump comes on it pulls power from the engine. It shows up more on smaller engines. Not to worrie
 
It is normal to work harder when you run the ac because when you turn on the ac it engages a clutch that powers the ac pump you will also lose some performance power while running the ac. and it also burns more gas.
 
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