Hello!
I am a 32 year female old native Tennessean living in NM. I bought my automatic 2006 xb two years ago. I have to say....I am not a fan. It has no power, barely makes it up hills, and has overall been a huge disappointment. Now, I drove to TN for thanksgiving and back (total of 2,400 miles). While in TN my spark plugs were replaced. After I got back I was sick with bronchitis and my car sat for about 4 days in cold weather (high altitude 7,000ft around 15-28 degrees at night). When I got in my car for the first time, I put it in reverse and my car was just creeping backwards. As in, I was putting normal pressure on the gas pedal- but it onyl had a little juice. Once I back out and went forward, I noticed it got a little better driving forward....but still was sluggish for about 45 seconds. Now as time went on, I had no problems. My maintenance required light flashes about 4 or 5 times then turns off, but thats because I am due for an oil change (or so I have read that's what it means). The next day I drove it it didnt do it. But now it's kind of doing it every day, but isnt as dramatic as that first time.
Now my car is at 70,030 and I have read about transmission flushing....but I don't think that is necessary. My fluid level is fine and has a nice color.
I don't know if it has anything to do with the temperature, or something is failing in my transmission. Is it a fuel issue? I wouldn't think so since once the car warms up- it drives normally. Does it have anything to do with the blue engine temperature light that comes on every day and takes forever to shift gears? I still have a lien on this car, and lost my job through no fault of my own. I can't afford rent, let alone transmission maintenance or even to stick it on the machine at the local garage. Also I am a woman, and the garages here are full of filthy liars who take advantage of my being a woman not having full knowledge of what my car needs.
Is my car supposed to be this weak and this unstable? Is my transmission issue just a part of the winter or did I screw something up by driving 2,400 miles in 6 days?

 

My XB is acting weird now. I don't know what to think. Drove 2,400 miles in 6 days (had spark plugs changed) for thanksgiving. Car has 70k. After getting back from TN (to NM) I was sick and didnt drive for a few days. Weather is cold and I live at a high altitude point (of 7,000ft). When I first got in my car and put it in reverse, it was really sluggish and didnt want to really go. It took some effort for a couple of seconds, but enough to know something wasnt right. Back up, went forward and I noticed that while pressing the gas down...it did not have full power. Gave it a minute and it was back to normal. Next day it did it again, but then now only does it every now and then. My trans fluid is full and of normal color. Maintenance light flashes 4 or 5? times then shuts off (I think that means oil change?). My car has very little power and barely makes it up hills...it's always been like that. I am not a fan of my scion because of this. I am embarrassed driving on interstates here because they are so hilly.
Is something wrong? I assumed it was because of winter. It also squeels at me on really cold nights right after I start my car and get going and then gets louder when I turn (but then goes away).
What is going on with the temperature issue? I am a woman in my 30's and am not very knowledgeable about cars (I know the basics).
Is it transmission? Or my car just being the typical weakling as usual and is having issues with the cold temperatures? Was it a switch from warm sea level to cold high altitude?
Oh, and it gets down to the teens and twenties at night here.

 

I might as well be driving a Pinto going up hills on this thing. Why does it not have any power? Is it the weight? Is it supposed to be this bad? So many other XB 1st generation owners love their cars.....I hate mine. It drove fine in the flat parts of Southeast when I first bought it (now I live out West). The darn thing depresses me to the point I could care less to clean it. Engine vibrates, it hates the cold, idle is always screwing up, engine makes noises.....but yet mechanics say everything is fine.
I bought mine in 2010 with 40k miles. I bought it for the unique shape, look, and storage room. I can't wait til I pay off the darn thing and get something that actually makes it up hill without being passed by a 96' Ford Tempo on the interstate.

Unless you guys think something is wrong with it that I can fix? Why do you guys love yours so much? Help me to not want to run this thing off a gorge....

No modifies....I'm on unemployment.

 

I never understand why people buy cars without knowing what they're getting into. I mean the xB has 108hp/105tq and weighs 2400lbs sans cargo/passengers/fuel. It's slow. 4cyl engines vibrate a lot, especially in an economy car. If it really has idle issues, it could be the mass airflow sensor, primary oxygen sensor, a dirty throttle body, bad spark plugs, dirty fuel injectors, etc. But even if you fix all of that, it's still slow.

Concerning it not wanting to move in reverse: make sure the e-brake isn't engaged at all. Another problem could be a seized caliper. Worst case scenario is the transmission is slipping.

 

And I merged all of your threads being that they're about the same thing.

 

I think Jon is right - is the hand brake off?
Something you can do for free is to take the jack out of the "trunk" and jack up each rear wheel in turn (no e-brake) and see if they turn freely.
That isn't going to work on the front so easily - but try that first

 

Okay, if I am reading this right, something has been wrong with this car for a long time. I take it "barely makes it up hills" means other drivers are annoyed and passing it often. Maybe my xb is the exception, but I have never had that problem even when it is loaded with the maximum weight it is rated to handle. It does downshift, and sometimes hits 5,000 rpms to maintain speed when going up a steep grade, but it maintains the speed limit and other drivers are only annoyed and passing me if they are total jerks. I've got 110K on mine, so an '06 at 70K shouldn't be doing this. Take it to a scion dealer or a good mechanic and let them figure out what the problem is. Even if they charge for the diagnosis (that would be rare around here), it will be well worth the 50 bucks or so that they charge to find out what it will take to get this car running properly.

Btw, it won't shift to overdrive until it warms up. When it hits 136 degrees, the blue light turns off and it should then shift into overdrive. It was 24 degrees when I started driving this afternoon and it took about a mile of slow driving (icy roads) until it hit that temp. It warms up a bit faster when I can drive at normal speeds.