My xA struggles and needs full throttle to climb highway 58 up through the Tehachapi mountains.
This is trying to maintain 65mph with autotrans the A/C on and two adults.

bout 150k miles so far on mine.


*Moved to Correct Forum by Administrator

Sticky Where to Post Your Question

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vacuum leak

 

A/C running creates drag in the motor. Also, if you have an auto trans with overdrive, sounds like your overdrive isn’t functioning.
Remember, these Scions aren’t very powerful. It’s the modern equivalent of driving a technologically advanced Beetle in the realm of power to weight ratio.

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Gonna need a Turbo for the hill climb lol. The highest point in IL is like 900ft so I'm jealous of your mountain

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My xB (same motor as your xA) is the only vehicle I've ever owned that one can actually feel the difference in acceleration when the A/C is on. It sucks that much power out of the 1.5 liter motor.
So yes, I can easily believe that with two people on board, the A/C on and climbing any kind of significant grade, you will have to add a lot more throttle. Remember, it only had 105 HP when brand new.

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I've gone over that grade at least 100x on way to Scottsdale to visit in-laws. It's difficult, but not impossible with 2 adults, 2 dogs and a cat with all their gear. What's annoying is the constant shifting between 4th & 3rd gear. So easiest to turn off OD with button and leave it in 3rd. This gives you more torque for climb and you don't need to have it floored. Have no issues keeping up with traffic. That's a really nice drive when you catch the sunrise through hills of windmills.

BTW, ECU turns off AC under high-loads.

 

No need to turn off the A/C.......the computer does it for you temporarily.......all modern cars do this.......If everything is working properly, I would suggest replace fuel filter ( which sucks because it's built into the fuel pump assembly.....and replace spark plugs, clean MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.......after dealing with those three things, the problem could be a bad torque converter with bent turbine vanes.......clogged/melted catalytic converter......rotten muffler......kinked fuel supply line........really many things, but this is where I would start investigating.

 

The Admin moved this response from someone elses post and made a post out of it.
I wish some of these Admins would stop with what they think needs to be moved.

I assure you nothing is wrong with my Scion other than wishing for more than its capable of. Lol.
Be a mechanic I enjoyed the entertaining comments tho. Especially the turbo one. Lol


**Administrator's Note: Your Post /Thread was moved to the most appropriate forum

 

Where did you post orginially? Seems "Scion xA/xB 1st-Gen Drivetrain & Power" is appropriate section.

Just did this drive again on Friday. Worst possible day for such trip; Memorial Day weekend! So many idiots clogging traffic because they're afraid of passing trucks! They don't realize the slower they go, the longer they'll dwell in danger-zone of being next to truck and in driver's blind spot.

Anyway, two modern features would be helpful. One is 5 or 6-speed gear box for optimum gearing. Current 4th gear revs engine too low below torque-peak and 3rd revs it too high. So constant shifting back & forth. Second feature is different shift patterns in ECU: regular or sport mode. Sport mode so it downshifts sooner and stays in 3rd longer. Of course would've raised purchase price of car. In end, manually shifting to 3rd takes care of handling this climb easily.

Turbo brings every car to life! Now that I'm moving to Mesa, AZ, I don't have to deal with CA's draconian C.A.R.B., first thing I'm doing is installing turbo on all my cars & bikes! So happy that aftermarket standalone programmable ECU is legal! Anything's fair game as long as it passes sniffer test.