Running the heater kills your 1/4 mile ET

[Agentlongwood]

Since it was super cold when I was at the track wednesday I had the heater on in the staging lane.  I made 5 passes, and forgot to turn off the heater for one of them.  For the 4 passes with no heater running, I went 13.053 twice, 13.048, and 13.074.  The pass that I left the heater running I went 13.226.  I don't have the simeslips, but I remember something similar happening at a previous trip to the racetrack. 

Is this common knowledge, and I'm just out of the loop?  Talking to my Dad, he said back in his day (Late 60s early 70s) people always had the heater going full blast because it helped keep engine temps down. 

 

[Macgyver]

Yep. Overheating in traffic. Roll windows down and crank the heater. Every little bit helps. Not sure about dragging.

 

[ajpturbo]

I wouldn't think the heater is worth a .200 penalty. But I could see it hurting a touch because the increased electrical demand will produce more drag from the alternator because the brushes will be out I suppose

 

[Agentlongwood]

Is coolant always circulating through the heater system?  Or only when the heater is engaged?  I was wondering, if coolant flows through the motor/radiator/heater when the heat is on, but only motor/radiator when the heat is off, maybe there is more drag placed on the water pump?  Totally guessing, as I have no idea whether coolant flows through the heater at all times or only when asked, lol.

 

[Suddueth13]

Late reply, but it depends on what your settings were. Some settings will automatically run the AC compressor whether the switch is selected or not.

 

[dubcitySHO]

Late reply, but it depends on what your settings were. Some settings will automatically run the AC compressor whether the switch is selected or not.

I believe the AC compressor automatically disengaged while in WOT.  I have experienced this as well as read of others experiencing it on this forum. 

The immediate system load would probably lead to a worse 60' time, yielding worse ET.

 

[Suddueth13]

Otherwise there’s no direct correlation why running the heat would affect the ET