I have a '01 2.3lpt 9-5 5 speed with 15,000 miles. I've notice that it is particularly sluggish in hot humid weather in low rev situations. Under other circumstances, when turning onto a side street for example, it can comfortably and smoothly spin up from 1500 to 1700 rpm in 2nd or 3rd. In this weather, it really bogs down -- doesn't lug -- just runs out of breath, and I find myself downshifting to 2nd or 1st to get in the 2200 to 2500 rpm range and punching it to get rolling.

I remember somebody talking about this problem and their using premium fuel to improve things. My understanding of octane levels was that if 87 octane was specified and there was no detonation, there was no point in using higher grades. On the other hand, when I looked in my Eurovan manual, premium fuel is recommended for maximum performance, but they say that if we use lower grades the timing will simply retarded and lower performance will be the result. And while they don't say it, I get the feeling that there is more involved than a knock sensor. With that engine we can definitely feel the difference...so we use 89 for around town use, and put 93 in for high speed cruising and full loads. We don't get any detonation at any time. We haven't tried 87.

Would the 9-5 engine management system "sense" the higher octane and advance the timing, or does it only work in the other direction?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

• '01 2.3lpt 9-5 5 speed sluggish in hot weather. Think octane?, John C. Womer, Wed, 25 Jul 2001 15:30:11 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Results of 3 visits to tech, AV, Thu, 26 Jul 2001 11:28:34
  • Do the following, Coolknight, Thu, 26 Jul 2001 04:47:48
    • Re: Do the following, mlc , Thu, 26 Jul 2001 22:45:11
      • Trionic, Coolknight, Fri, 27 Jul 2001 05:42:36
    • Re: Do the following, Doug, Thu, 26 Jul 2001 13:15:14
      • You wana get the Abbott or Hirsch Intercooler..., Coolknight, Fri, 27 Jul 2001 05:45:53
  • Re: '01 2.3lpt 9-5 5 speed sluggish in hot weather. Think octane?, Slug , Wed, 25 Jul 2001 23:28:49
  • Use the ACC Econ button, GaryG, Wed, 25 Jul 2001 22:47:06
  • Re: '01 2.3lpt 9-5 5 speed sluggish in hot weather. Think octane?, Gary Gordon, Wed, 25 Jul 2001 18:20:22
  • Same problem, Jeff Newton, Wed, 25 Jul 2001 15:37:57
    • Re: Same problem, Canuck Saaber, Wed, 25 Jul 2001 17:47:37
      • Re: Canuck Saaber, Michael , Fri, 27 Jul 2001 15:27:37
        • Re: Canuck Saaber --- ATT: Michael, Canuck Saaber, Mon, 30 Jul 2001 21:18:57

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