what is wrong with my celica? Options

[Celicagt1995]

For a while my celica has been too slow. This is what happens.

When Im in the freeway going at 60 mph, I step all the way on the gas and it takes about 10 seconds to git 70 mph.

When Im going at 40 on the road it takes 7 seconds to hit 60 mph.

Before it use to take around 9 sec 0 - 60 mpg now Im not sure.

Another thing when i hit the gas the rpm goes from 2.5 to 4.5. Before it use to go all the way between 5 and 6.

I think this is a problem with the transmission but Im not sure. (its an auto)

One thing that might have something to do with this is that a while ago i was racing and i put my transmission on L2 and the rpm went to redline and the car felt like braking. (bouncing)

What do you think is wrong.

[njccmd2002]

the racing part. you messed up something, and be careful about the post, it may be close because you did not say you were racing in the track, right?

[yarik83]

We all race... we just don't want to promote it for people who are not comfortable racing or are new to racing and specifically new to driving... cough cough a certain dodge comes to mind from off topic discussion.

First and foremost. Your celica is a slow car. You need to keep it in mind before you do any kind of fun activity. It should be accelerating in about 11 seconds to 60mph. Reducing weight and power add ons obviously make your car accelerate faster.

Secondly I dont think that you understand how your transmission works. L2 and L3 are lower gears meant to put higher torque if your car is going up a very steep hill or is driving in sand or you are stuck somewhere. They are not meant to be used as means to accelerate your vehicle in a racing type situation. Other cars (audi for example) have a special type transmission that allows you to shift gears manually on automatic transmission. They usually allow you to shift faster than automatic transmission does but it will at most shave a little bit on quarter mile time.

To me it sounds like you are very effectively wearing out your clutch and transmission mechanism by trying to accomplish something that your car can not.

I am going to take a wild guess and assume you were going against a civic.

Go to the bank, get a loan for 3000 and buy yourself a turbo kit, rebuild engine and shed weight. Your car will be running closer to what you want it to be.

[freddy121389]

it really could be a lot of things, first replace your fuel and air filter, if that isn't it what you could do is buy a can of seafoam at any local advance auto parts and buy some new sparkplugs, make sure to gap them correctly its .044 for our cars. and then pour 3/4s in your gas tank, 1/4 in your oil, let it run for a little while and then replace the plugs and change your oil.

[Tech-Nics]

It does sound like you tranny is slipping a little. From what you typed you beat on that car. Automatics & manuals on camry/corolla/celica engines are not made to be pushed to the limit in it's stock form. Check your tranny fluid levels. Does it take more than 1 second to get into gear when you put it in "D" ? I recommend to drive your car very easy and not push the accelerator to far. Your tranny is proberly in the early stages of taking a crap.

This post has been edited by Tech-Nics: Nov 22, 2009 - 1:31 PM

[Spider77]

Yeah, being an auto, there is no real reason to redline it in the "L" gears. Just put it in drive and go. Its an auto, so there isnt a whole lot that you can upgrade. Maybe get a beefier torque converter.

[njccmd2002]

We all race... we just don't want to promote it for people who are not comfortable racing or are new to racing and specifically new to driving... cough cough a certain dodge comes to mind from off topic discussion.

Dont take this the wrong way but please dont generalize, as i dont race. I may speed ocassionaly, but have never raced anybody, not interested.

Celicagt1995 another thing to consider is you may be loosing compression, and if you keep redlining it, it will only get worse.

[nics]

Its weird in the owners manual that toyota said never "race" a cold engine. for me, its like saying dont drive it hard when its still cold

[Spider77]

Its weird in the owners manual that toyota said never "race" a cold engine. for me, its like saying dont drive it hard when its still cold

Hmmm...does it really say that? I may have to go and look after the game.

[Tech-Nics]

I thought it meant to never push the engine hard before it reaches full operational temp. I always let my car fully warm up before driving anywhere. Don't matter what time of the year it is. I've always done that with my cars.

[SwissFerdi]

I take it easy, not going over 2k, until she's warm. If I drive in cold temps, I let her reach the 'C' at idle.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Nov 22, 2009 - 5:28 PM

[nics]

Its weird in the owners manual that toyota said never "race" a cold engine. for me, its like saying dont drive it hard when its still cold

Hmmm...does it really say that? I may have to go and look after the game.

p114 on the lower left notice

I thought it meant to never push the engine hard before it reaches full operational temp. I always let my car fully warm up before driving anywhere. Don't matter what time of the year it is. I've always done that with my cars.

yes, its a good practice. let the fluids reach their operating temp and viscosity

[azian_advanced]

do a compression test

[Celicagt1995]

Well, Im going to do a tune up and hopefully it gets better. How many quarts of oil do I put in the transmission?


If its still the same I might end up swapping the engine or I will just sell it and buy a 96-99 Celica liftback.

[Spider77]

Auto right? Transaxle fluid (dexron II), drain and refill 2.6 qts, Diff oil (dexron II) 1.7 quarts.

[D-Man]

...buy yourself a turbo kit...

[samir0189]

...buy yourself a turbo kit...

?????????????????????????????????? D-MAN?!?!???!??!!

[flyinglizard]

...buy yourself a turbo kit...

D-man is back! w00t

[Random_Stranger]

Sounds like maybe dirty air filter, needs spark plugs (it does affect it, but sound is noticeable usually).... Another thing I want to throw out there is either you need motor mounts, because that can potentially lead to a feeling of a slipping clutch, or it sounds like the beginning of a clutch that needs to be replaced.

If you notice it getting worse at a fast rate, then I will recognize that to be your clutch. If you cannot diagnose the problem yourself (which there is nothing wrong with that, since we are all learning and you really have to be the one to make the call as it could be a number of things), then have it taken in. Mine did that and I ignored it for a long time.... Eventually it gotten so bad, that I had to damn near redline in 5th just to go 60, and when the freeway went on an incline, I dropped to 45mph still borderline redlining. On the street, I had to redline in 3rd just to go 20mph and that was pushing it. Any higher gear wouldn't be enough, as the travel to the next stop sign and such was barely met when I was in 3rd going at 20.

So if you notice more power loss from acceleration, it could be that, but you really should have it looked at. I am serious, driving it home that last day was scary.