Sluggish Acceleration/Uphill Speed Loss

[Kaylee]

I've owned my Mazda3 Sport GT for 2 years now. Initially, acceleration was quick and it maintained speed going up hill without gearing down. Lately, it seems sluggish and it does lose speed on even moderate hills. There is no noticeable hesitation, and the engine sounds smooth whether driving or idling. I'm still achieving the posted gas mileage. I just feel the vehicle has lost about 60 of its 160 hp.

The vehicle has only 24,000 km. I've never had a tune-up. Has anyone else experienced this, and what was the cause? Is it merely time for a tune-up? I'm taking the car in to an independent shop next week (I no longer use the dealer's service department due to numerous problems experienced in the past). Is there anything in particular I should have the technician check? Obviously, if it ends up being a warranty issue I'll have to go back to Mazda for correction.

 

[thebeansoldier]

manual or atx?

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Clogged Injectors maybe, Ever clean the air filter? Are they adding more additives to the gas? Do you fill up at the same gas station everytime...

 

[Kaylee]

Clogged Injectors maybe, Ever clean the air filter? Are they adding more additives to the gas? Do you fill up at the same gas station everytime...

To answer "thebeansoldier's" question, it's a manual.

I'm running a bottle of Penzoil injector cleaner through now. I've checked the air filter and it looks clean, but I haven't cleaned or replaced it.

Your question on filling up at the same gas station is interesting. I didn't experience the power loss problem last summer when the car was taken on several long road trips (which by nature involved filling up in a different location every time). Over the winter, I have generally filled up at two different nearby gas stations. Is it a good idea to switch around?

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Yeah try it for a tank or two and if it improves then you know the other station was sellin crap gas.

 

[mazda3zoom]

i noticed that too. When i was driving cross country and i would start going up mountains.....the car wouldnt go at all. Its almost like the ecu had to catch up to the change in elevation and it wasnt doing it fast enough. This was only when going between big elevation changes.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Id assume the elevation has something to do with the air being thinner. Run 50 ft at mtn elevation is like running a mile at sealevel, your car is feeling the same effects.

 

[mazda3zoom]

Id assume the elevation has something to do with the air being thinner. Run 50 ft at mtn elevation is like running a mile at sealevel, your car is feeling the same effects.

Yeah i think i could feel the difference. elevation here at home is about 300-500 ft above sea level, and when i was out west i think our max was like 10k.

 

[goldwing2000]

At 24K km, you're definitely not due for a tune-up. The only thing that a fuel-injected car can have "tuned up" is the spark plugs and those should be good for 75-100k miles (120-160k km). Likewise, you'd have to be using some pretty crappy gas for the injectors to be clogged this soon.

With that low milage, I think it's more of a case of the ECM learning how you normally drive and adjusting accordingly. The power is still in there, you just have to give it a little more loud pedal to get it out.

It could also be as simple as the change in the weather, which would also be corrected automatically in a short time.

Don't be surprised if the shop doesn't find anything.

 

[Kaylee]

What is the ECM?

With that low milage, I think it's more of a case of the ECM learning how you normally drive and adjusting accordingly. The power is still in there, you just have to give it a little more loud pedal to get it out.

What is the ECM? Your suggestion is similar to something I've considered. I've wondered if by usually accelerating moderately, I've broken my car in to only be able to accelerate moderately. I'm glad to hear the power is still there. Now that summer is here, I'm more likely to drive a bit more aggressively. Thanks for your advice.

 

[jflo]

really, you're not supposed to keep a car in the highest gear when traveling up a hill. especially if you have the a/c on. basically you're working the engine as hard as it can. and if you push it too much, you can expect to have a few problems later on.

 

[goldwing2000]

What is the ECM? Your suggestion is similar to something I've considered. I've wondered if by usually accelerating moderately, I've broken my car in to only be able to accelerate moderately. I'm glad to hear the power is still there. Now that summer is here, I'm more likely to drive a bit more aggressively. Thanks for your advice.

ECM=Engine Control Module

Most newer cars have "smart" computers that learn the way you drive and adjust things accordingly. Shift points, power bands, etc.

One way to check this theory is to disconnect your battery for 5-10 minutes to reset the computer. See if it drives differently afterwards.