EK7_DriftMania

My car is running slower now, it seems like its losing trq. everything is working fine, is it the plugs or oil? It's not a problem at high rpm, no new mods. Cold weathers should be faster. I just can't figure it out.

It's a 2000 civic, maybe i been slaming it too much, almost all the time. Happen to my friends SR-V, it is still fast, but can't really feel the vtec.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Any problem in particular, or did you think you'd let us know your butt dyno has registared a drop in mid-range power? Had a recent tune up....maybe it's time.

EK7_DriftMania

No problem, runs like new, very smooth. I always take care of my car. Maybe it's time to change the plugs. Dyno reading shows a 2hp drop around 2-3.5 rpm. Everything is normal at 4 rpm.

KS-R

Yeah... it's just normal wear and tear... All cars lose HP over time.. A good tune up should help.

EK7_DriftMania

What kind of tune up? what about ZMAX, is that any good? I heard that they restore verything. Where can I get some?

imported_v33k

NO, stay away from aftermarket additives

This is why
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/02/zmax1.htm

dee123

how many km's on the car? If you do a tune up, do the plugs(factory plugs), air filter, fuel filter, pcv, and check the resistance in the wires, the coil output, etc. If your car didn't come with platinum plugs, don't put them in. It's not required. Same with synthetic oil. Conventional oil will work fine, as long as you change it regularly. Alot of the stuff on the market is a scam. Regular maintanance is all you need.

EK7_DriftMania

Holly ****!!!!!!!!!!
I have been using STP for a long time now, is there anything on STP fuel injector cleaners. Maybe that is why I lost power?

I did change my spark plugs today and the car preform alittle better, went back to copper tip. Bosch seriously sucks, the plugs were burnt on mine.

What is PCV? maybe I need to do that. All the tune ups I do myself, do want to waste time and money at the mechanic.

imported_Team Rukus

The FTC previously halted allegedly deceptive advertising by the marketers of Dura Lube, Motor Up, Prolong, Valvoline, Slick 50, and STP , other major brands of engine treatment products.

dee123

most fuel additives will burn out your cat. converter. pcv means positive crankcase ventilation. it's a little valve that, if not maintained, can damage your engine.

illmatic_si

I've noticed some degraded performance with my car recently as well..

I figure its because of the changing weather. I'm getting pretty shitty fuel economy also.. 400 kms off a full tank vs. 450 in the summer

EK7_DriftMania

Try changing the plugs, there cheap. Winter is when your car gets alittle faster, I've change my plugs, its pretty much normal now. However, like KS-R said, it is b/c of wear and tear due to continues use. Now I walk and bus to UofT in Downtown from Scar. I put less then 100km a week now. Don't know what else to do.

imported_MY SiR

Just a question of the obvious. How about the air filter? Has it been replaced/cleaned (if it is aftermarket)? Replacing/cleaning an air filter will do wonders. I believe Honda recommends replacing the stock air filter every 24,000 km. If it ain't stock, cleaning of the filters at the same intervals would be a good idea.

What about the wheels/tires? Did you put on steelies for the winter? If your winter wheels are heavier than your summer ones, that can affect performance...more unsprung weight.

Regarding illmatic's question about fuel economy, if nothing has changed other than the temperature, yes, the colder temperatures would reduce fuel economy but you should get more power. Colder air is more dense so more oxygen to burn => more fuel is required to burn with the oxygen => more power but reduced fuel economy. If you are experiencing reduced power, there could be something wrong.

Personally, I put on my steelies for winter and my ride is a little slower (more unsprung weight off setting the colder temps) but I am actually getting better fuel economy (lower rolling resistance offsetting the colder temps)...of course what each individual will experience are different things.

Mark

EK7_DriftMania

So far I have only change my plugs, air filter is a good idea, going to get some now.

dee123

Is the milage only effected when the engine is cold? In the winter, engines run open loop alot longer than in the summer. Mine is alot worse in the winter. I don't change rims or anything. It's because of the computer status.

imported_MY SiR

Your mileage isn't just affected when the engine is cold in winter. The outside air temperature is colder in winter (obviously!) and colder air is more dense. Your car is breathing colder more dense air all the time in winter which results in worse fuel economy and more power.

This is the principle used for cold air intakes/intercoolers etc. These things will improve power but fuel economy will be reduced (as long as there is no difference in air flow characteristics)...you can't get something for nothing

Also, if your car is equipped with a remote starter, idling your car to get it warm before driving will also reduce fuel economy. About it being in open loop longer. Yes, the longer it takes for the engine to warm up, the longer it will be in open loop and the worse your fuel economy will be.

To make my car warm up faster, I don't idle my car too long in the morning, I have the fan set to off, mode in Heat/Defrost and temp set at maximum hot. I drive my car below 2000 rpm until the temperature needle hits the "C" mark (from below "C") then, I raise the revs and crank up the fan. By that time, I get nice hot air blowing. I know this isn't practical for everyone because you may have fogging issues from leaving your car outside.

Mark

EK7_DriftMania

The more you step on the gas the more fuel it burns. But in the winter I have gotten better fuel milage as long as you don't step on it, just drive normally.

You should let your car have all the time it needs to harm up naturally, don't rev, if you do rev, then why bother warming the engine, just put it in gear and drive under 2,000 rmp. It does not matter if the car is moving or not, the cam shaft still moves. Your car's oil and fluids need normal operating temp. to work efficiently, or wear and tear will take place. I think I am experiencing that right now, still have 64,000 km on my car, runs find, very smooth, quite and never experienced problems but losing power now. B/c back then I did not care much about the car, redline everytime I got in it, even winter time. And this is the result, now I do everything right, like I should along time ago, it's too late for the engine now.