Car not accelerating like it used to :(
#1
Car not accelerating like it used to :(
Basically just as the subject says, my mom bought this car when it was new and she bought a new Acura TL so I got the 95 Maxima
Only bad part is I can tell the acceleration is not what it used to, when I would drive it on "special" occasions to like dances in HS and such it would DEFINITELY accelerate better. Now I feel like I have to floor it so it will downshift and actually accelerate (or just drop it down a gear manually). Which I hate doing this b/c I know it's a stress on the engine.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It has 180K miles on it and I *think* the transmission fluid was changed when it was supposed to (I'm not 100% sure though, when I check the dipstick it looks clean, not thick like when you don't change it for 180K miles.
What can I do? Should I give it a tune up? New air filter? Fuel injection cleaner?
Please help!!!!!
Only bad part is I can tell the acceleration is not what it used to, when I would drive it on "special" occasions to like dances in HS and such it would DEFINITELY accelerate better. Now I feel like I have to floor it so it will downshift and actually accelerate (or just drop it down a gear manually). Which I hate doing this b/c I know it's a stress on the engine.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It has 180K miles on it and I *think* the transmission fluid was changed when it was supposed to (I'm not 100% sure though, when I check the dipstick it looks clean, not thick like when you don't change it for 180K miles.
What can I do? Should I give it a tune up? New air filter? Fuel injection cleaner?
Please help!!!!!
#2
Well what maintainence has been done? Plugs changed? Air and fuel filter? There are alot of things that have an effect on the acceleration. I would first find out exactly when the plugs were changed and what kind you have in there (copper, plat, or iridium). Start off with the least expensive parts first.
#3
I bet upwards of 95% of the time, slow or sluggish acceleration on these cars is due to a failed knock sensor and the engine running on the safe map. -30hp/tq or thereabouts. Read the FAQs to learn how to check for codes. I bet you have a knock sensor (0304) "ghost code" in there which won't actually light the check engine light.
#4
Find out what has been done so far. Do you use 93 octane ONLY? Here is a list of to do's:
Throttle body cleaning
Air filter change / clean
Spark Plugs (NGK only)
Engine Oil change & tranny oil
Engine & Tranny flush
Fuel filter change
Fuel Injector cleaning
Then you can start modding. Y-pipe is the most bang for the buck.
Tell us by summer what mods you've got.
Throttle body cleaning
Air filter change / clean
Spark Plugs (NGK only)
Engine Oil change & tranny oil
Engine & Tranny flush
Fuel filter change
Fuel Injector cleaning
Then you can start modding. Y-pipe is the most bang for the buck.
Tell us by summer what mods you've got.
#5
Yea I only use the 93 octane, yea I read about the knock sensor and was thinkign that might be it. It's pretty much just hesitating. When I get home I'm going to go through all the maintenace records to see what my mom has had done and when. Hopefully something will turn up.
One thing though, do I have to buy something to figure out what the error codes are? I've seen a lot of stickies about what the codes mean, but how do I actually get the code from my car? (my chec engine light has been on for the past 4 years too, but the mechanic said it dealt with carbon build up somewhere, he cleaned it out some but the light stayed on and he said that was fine :/ ) So perhaps the light is on because of the knock sensor ?
One thing though, do I have to buy something to figure out what the error codes are? I've seen a lot of stickies about what the codes mean, but how do I actually get the code from my car? (my chec engine light has been on for the past 4 years too, but the mechanic said it dealt with carbon build up somewhere, he cleaned it out some but the light stayed on and he said that was fine :/ ) So perhaps the light is on because of the knock sensor ?
#8
Your mechanic sucks, read the stickys on how to check for codes yourself,and then decode them, or just buy a haynes manual and read it on how to check and diagnose the codes, and fix them.
Most likely poor performance is caused by a bad KS, I have one for sale, PM me if interested.
Most likely poor performance is caused by a bad KS, I have one for sale, PM me if interested.
#9
When I got my 95 (used), I immediately changed all plugs, engine oil, transmission oil, air-filter, and fuel filter. Then eventually, I replaced the coil packs (2 had cracked boots) and PCV. Initially my car wasn't running sluggish but it was consuming way more gas than I know it should. Doing all those above, plus checking/correcting tire inflation, adjusting accelerator cable, idle speed, cleaning MAF sensor, throttle body, and IACV greatly improved MPG and performance. I'm still on original knock sensor at 140k + miles. Almost forgot, fuel octane has something to do with performance as well. I'd suggest 92 or higher, and if you must 89 but don't go below that.
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