2000 Mustang Sucks going uphill

[SuperCharge]

Hi All,

I have a 2000 Mustang (the regular one, not cobra or gt) with v6, rear wheel drive.

Whenever going uphill, it feels like a v3 car intead. Most of the times, cars around me pass by quickly, sometimes even Honda Civics. I know that I can use the overdrive button, then I'll have to press down the pedal to speed it up but I just wonder if that's what the car was originally designed at.

Also, samething when entering a freeway, other cars start so quickly and mine always ends up behind them. Am I not agressive enough or do people just crank down their pedals all the way? I've never gone all the way on my accel. pedal on going uphill or start but I guess I deserve better performance from my car compared to...let's say a Honda Civic.

Do you think it needs to have its sparkplugs checked or something? it has 40000+ miles on it now and never been serviced on anything besides its brake. :crazy:

Thanks in advance.

[Kriz]

Take it too a garage, and get the diagnostics tool on it, if nothin immediate shows up then it may just be the spark plugs, or lack of fuel. Your fuel filter could be blocked or something. There are a few things that could cause this, so best bet is to just get it checked.

[WiNnErPL]

Dude you have a heavy and slow car, live with it. A civic, though less power, is lighter and can stick with if not take you. (No way vs a GT though) This is normal, if you upgrade parts, different story. But no way i.e. a spark plug changw ill do anything to boost performance.

[SuperCharge]

Is there a quick way to check on sparkplugs to see if they are still "sparking"? What would be a sign when driving that shows sparkplug's problem?

Thanks all

[Darkluminaz34]

I think the V6 mustang can do 0-60 in about 7 seconds (faster than a crappy civic) It should be pretty perky so something is probably up. You should get your plugs and wires checked. It's about time for a good checkup so may as well get everything looked at (tranny fluid change, fuel filter)

[+chorpeac MVC]

The v6 mustang should not be that slow. It's got like 190 horses or maybe 200. I can't remember. It shouldn't be that bad. If it has never been serviced...then yes, by all means get it to the service department for a service! Oil needs changed as well as the filter. Have them check it over man...

[+chorpeac MVC]

Is there a quick way to check on sparkplugs to see if they are still "sparking"?  What would be a sign when driving that shows sparkplug's problem?

Thanks all

585877573[/snapback]

If a spark plug is not firing, that is called misfiring. It will feel like a really rough engine. Almost bumpy. Just take it to the shop and have them check it out. Was it bought recently, used?

[RGSPro]

I drive a 2000 v6 manual mustang. I think mine is very quick. You did mention not putting the pedal down all the way though, and i think that if you want it to move you gotta put the pedal down all the way. There is nothing wrong with doing this because it will tell the car to downshift and that you wanna go quick. With it in a lower geat the car will accelerate a lot quicker. My car i think goes pretty darn fast. It wastes my sisters v6 99 camaro, and I have no problem takin civics on the freeway, and usually all chevys on the freeway because they have governer chips at 105 and my governer chip is at 120.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

I think the V6 mustang can do 0-60 in about 7 seconds (faster than a crappy civic) It should be pretty perky so something is probably up.? You should get your plugs and wires checked. It's about time for a good checkup so may as well get everything looked at (tranny fluid change, fuel filter)

585877585[/snapback]

7 seconds? Yeah right.

My car barely does better than 7 seconds in ideal conditions (and my crappy driving certainly never does that). But it's way faster than any V6 Mustang, even the newest model.

I actually raced a V6 just like the original poster's my first (and only) time at the local drag strip, and the driver of that car was a regular. I was easily 2-3 seconds faster in the quarter mile. And my car isn't even all that fast.

No offense, but V6 mustangs are just slow, heavy cars - especially if you have an automatic (which is sounds like you do).

[KXH]

Tune it up. New Spark plugs, distributors/wires if it has any, not sure i know the V8's have distributorless ignition. OIl Change and air filter and see what happens. Make sure the housing to the throttle body is all attached correctly and the rubber not cracked as well.

People are retarted and kill their cars, you don't have to drop the hammer when accelerating onto the highway not only is it dangerous its dumb if there is traffic. Besides the point and i don't mean this to be derogatory, you seem like a new or light experience driver. The O/D is for the Overdrive in an automatic tranny. This slows the car down when you have it on but gives the car better gas mileage. i.e. you want it on. Your not racing your driving regular. You want this on when highway cruising so that the car hits its highest gear, which i believe is 4 in an A-O/D ford tranz in '00

when going up a hill with the A/C on the car must use some of its output power to crank the A/C compressor which draws away form teh cars output power. Having a lot of electronics also make the alternator harder to crank which draws more of the engines power output. SO if your going uphill at say 45 MPH with the radio on and and the A/C blasting and you have an after market sound system with amps and subs and its on loud, yea your car will feel sluggish because its trying to rev higher in a high gear to get up a hill, thats when you can disengage the O/D and maybe turn off the A/C. I do this in my civic accord when going up a large hill. But when i'm in my stang it makes no difference due to the V8. Let us know what happens.

[RGSPro]

yeah v6 mustangs were NOT meant to go fast, thats for sure. They are an every day driver car that was designed for gas mileage. Supercharged v6 stangs take the GT's though :whistle:.

My car however can burn rubber shifting in to 2nd gear. Just make sure that the car downshifts when you want it to move, it should be fast enough for ya I think. Its not a race car, but it was never supposed to be one.

You could always wait and get the 2006 GT500 Shelby Cobra they are commin out with. Its got a Supercharged v8 with 450hp stock. Thats the fastest production mustang ever, and with that much HP it will take some ferraris.

[MR_Candyman]

I agree, the v6 stangs are slow, but what he's describing sounds like a timing issue. If the timing's off a little bit, then it will cause sluggishness when accelerating. This can also be caused by a slightly clogged fuel filter and a dirty air filter. Your spark plugs are probably fine, but might aswell replace them if you have never done so, it's cheap to do and improves gas mileage.

it is NOT normal for a car like that to be so slow accelerating, it should be able to keep up with other normal cars

[SuperCharge]

Just some stats for you helpers to look at:

Ford Mustang 2000 Coupe

----

Engine Code / Name 994

VIN 4

Cylinders V6

Displacement 3.8

Bore x Stroke 3.80 x 3.40

Compression Ratio 9.4

Fuel Type G

Fuel Induction SFI

Valve Train OHV

Valves Per Cylinder 2

Total Number Valves 12

Horsepower 190 @ 5250 RPM

Torque 220 @ 2750 RPM

Max Eng. Speed -

Transmission Automatic

Drivetrain RWD

EPA City 20 MPG

EPA Hwy 27 MPG

---

Stats look very promising to me, especially the gas mileage and horsepower. Right now it uses a full tank of gas aweek. I drive to work 5 days a week for one-way distance of about 22 miles. Is it gas efficient?

Another thing I forgot to mention was that the accel pedal is abit firm when pressing down. This may tell us something about the car itself. I bought it brand new in 2000 and the pedal was already like that. During the testdrive at the dealer, I told the saleman that the car was not as fast as I expected and he responded that I did not go down enough on the pedal. Interesting, especially with a new car?

I did replace the air filter and the pvc valve about a year ago, oops! forgot to tell you guys, my bad, sorry. I just did a brake job on that car for $440. The caliber froze up in the right rear and it cost me 200 bucks for just that piece of metal. Man! these auto parts are expensive.

Any recomendations on sparkplugs brand?

Thanks

[MR_Candyman]

the calipers ar emore than a piece of metal, but ya, I agree, they're expensive (2 new rotors and rebilt calipers cost me over a grand).

The pedal should be a bit still, though there is a point where it gets too stiff to be normal. I'm not the most familiar with mustangs, so I don't know exactly what setup your engine's using or what's really normal in that car. If I were you I'd just take it in to the shop and explain that it's sluggish when accelerating and have them take a look at it.

[SuperCharge]

As I know, there's always a charge whenever your car is on their rack. It's about 35 bucks at a tire dealer, just for examination. If now I take my car in a shop just for them to look at, it will cost me at least 30+.

Any other alternatives or am I stuck in that only solution?

Thank all for your help.

[kombolcha]

40,000 miles and you've only had the brakes done? no oil changes? no chaning the filters? no checking the belts and hoses? fluid levels?

a tune-up (spark plug change) is usually done around 60,000 - 70,000 miles

[MR_Candyman]

the problem is there's just too many possible things to hunt down. It could be injectors, fuel filter, carburator, manifolds, ect. If I were you I'd spend the bit of money rather than wasting a few days tinkering with stuff you don't know about, and especially don't know the settings for.

[SuperCharge]

Of course, routine oil change is something not needed to mention. Samething applies to oil filter since we always change oil filter when changing engine oil.

Do you guys think Mustangs are good for long run because I've heard from so....many people that Japanese or German cars like Toyota, BMW, Merc, Honda...do last longer than American? I'm currently saving my money for a different car (probably non-american car) because of all that stuff I've heard and I do not think I'll keep this Mustang for long. American cars tend to break down earlier, is that right? I've seen many BMWs with more than 160000+ miles still on the roads.

Man! I wish I had all the experties like you guys do about automobiles then I'd make my car as good as it could offer and for as long as it lives.

Thanks

[nomis_nehc]

well, a good place to start learning is usually car forums. depending on the made of the car, join and check out their specific forums. that's how i started.

[leedogg]

Maybe your just not depressing your accelerator enough.

[vincent]

Of course, routine oil change is something not needed to mention.  Samething applies to oil filter since we always change oil filter when changing engine oil.

Do you guys think Mustangs are good for long run because I've heard from so....many people that Japanese or German cars like Toyota, BMW, Merc, Honda...do last longer than American?  I'm currently saving my money for a different car (probably non-american car) because of all that stuff I've heard and I do not think I'll keep this Mustang for long.  American cars tend to break down earlier, is that right?  I've seen many BMWs with more than 160000+ miles still on the roads.

Man! I wish I had all the experties like you guys do about automobiles then I'd make my car as good as it could offer and for as long as it lives.

Thanks

585878211[/snapback]

Common sense maintenance will make any car last long.

[Gibwar]

Common sense maintenance will make any car last long.

585878346[/snapback]

That is so true... my 1991 Chevrolet S10 Blazer has 163,336 miles on it and it still performs as good as it had before! :happy: Proper maintenance is the key to any car lasting awhile... my friend had a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalir with only 52,000 miles on it and it is a junker! Absoutly no maintenence done on it except the oil changes...... :o

[MR_Candyman]

we had a lebaron and a caravan that each lasted into their 500,000kms with only the odd rapair here and there.

Engines on american cars and german manufactured cars last longer than the japs, ect. do. Howver, many other parts don't last as logn as they would on a honda, ect. No matter what vehicle you get there will always be repairs you need to do.

[Chadwick]

Some things to note, no car is going to kick in and accelerate for you up a hill, you are going to have to give it gas, for all you know the guy in the civic floored it just to keep up with traffic ;)

Also the timing is not going to be an issue, those cars are computer controlled, even if they have a distributor, the timing will never be wrong, its calculated dynamically.

A spark plug will never just stop sparking without you knowing, your engine will run very rough, rough enough to vibrate the car and change the exhaust sound completely if its misfiring, you would KNOW.

Horsepower doesn't matter when your going up the hill, its torque, torque is what will move that big ass car ;) 220ft/lbs at the flywheel assuming a 20% drivetrain loss is only 176ft/lbs at the wheels, that isn't a lot of torque to move that heavy of a car, thats about the same amount of torque as a civic but the civic weighs maybe 75% of what your car weighs.

Dont expect the v6 to perform, its not designed to, if it were quick there would be no incentive to buy the v8 gt version.

Also almost every automatic in the older cars will not downshift automatically unless you give the car some gas, depending on the speed and size of the hill you might be in the RPM range where it wouldn't be possible to downshift, and your not going fast enough for it to upshift, so your stuck at an RPM where the engine isn't making its peak torque and theres nothing you can do but accelerate or deccelerate and downshift to get into your torque range.

[xmr]

Well it's an automatic, start middle and end of the problem. Get a manual and you'll not only get laughed at less but you'll have the opportunity to control to the car better.