CracknutWhirrun

Ok, so I made a thread about this last year and got some good advice, but my troubles are still around.

I have a 2003 v6 mustang, stock, with only 80,000 miles on it. When accelerating, if I dont open the throttle all the way, the car feels like its struggling to accelerate. Like, I get overtaken by crappy 80's cars if I dont slam down the peddle. This gets even worse when it's hot out; the car feels like it lags an insane amount. However, when I open the throttle all the way, the car friggin takes off like I'd expect, but anything less and it's incredibly tame.

I've talked to two mechanics about this, both of whom found nothing. I've gotten all the little things replaced, gotten new tires, etc. Is this just the nature of the v6? What is it like driving yours?

CracknutWhirrun

And, I forgot, I'm getting pretty bad gas mileage. Not sure if it's correlated with the other stuff, who knows

stangant

what has been done maintenance wise on it?

Plugs
wires
coil pack
oil change...


What trans? I'm guessing it's an auto.. fluid change?

CracknutWhirrun

Yep, got all of those things done. And yes, it's an auto transmission

stangant

try this:

https://mustangforums.com/forum/v6-1...tment-fix.html

also air filter change or CAI?

belairbrian

One thing i've noticed is there is a delay before the auto trans drops out of overdrive. If you just ease into the gas it wants to leave the OD engaged. Once you really press the pedal the overdrive disengages the acceleration begins.

Try disengaging the OD then accelerate see if that helps or not. If not you probably have an engine issue.

When you say pretty bad gas mileage what does that mean?

CracknutWhirrun

Thanks for the help...and yea, I've replaced the air filter with a K&N air filter and taken up the slack on the peddle. Don't know what else to do. I'm thinking a tune might make the shifts feel less soggy, which I think is where most of my frustration is coming from

Edit: Thanks, I'll try the overdrive suggestion. Also I'm averaging around 14 mpg, and thats combined city and highway driving

Dr.Le

yeah, i was reading your first post and wondered to myself,.... hmmmm his mpg must be terrible.

so yes, i think it is correlated.

yeah... i agree w/ others about typical culprits of low mpg and slugglish performance.

03shadow

im assuming that the CEL isnt on. does the light work still? ever have it scanned by a code reader just to be sure? maybe a video of you accelerating or a more specific example through video will help us tell you if we can see if it is acting funny