Lack of power when driving uphill

[trident9440]

My 96 Accord is lack of power when driving uphill. If I drive uphill in the Rocky Mountain area on the highway, the max speed I can got is 50mile/80KM per hour and the engine is ran at almost 4000rpm. I did not change gear to D3 because that will cause the engine run even faster and speed does not get up. Every other car runs faster than mine...

For the normal flat road condition, my car works fine without any problem.

Any idea where could be the problem and what shall I do?

Thanks!

[SenseiAccord]

well usually traveling on a road going uphill puts a really high increase on engine load and doesnt perform as well as if it was driving on flat road. Now if u think it is a major problem that is obviously irregular and never happened like this before then maybe the car just needs a simple tune up. Tune ups make a big difference sometimes. But yea when going uphill u should really down shift if u wanna gain speed. Usually from idle-3000 RPMs will get u very little power. 3000-4000 RPMs are kinda like a dead spot in some cars and will barely give u an acceleration and then when it gets to near redline thats will the engine will kick and get the most power... esp in hondas.

[AccordCodger]

One comment - the way you describe the situation, your car IS in 3rd (or maybe even 2nd) going up the hill, and that's why it's doing 4000 rpm @ 50 mph. Not bad - normal.

Downshifting is not necessary with an automatic (unless -- and I don't think this is a problem with Accords -- you are on just enough of an upgrade for the txmission not to be be able to make its mind what gear it wants to be in, and it keeps shifting up and down --- I once had a Buick that did that).

You might find it'll go faster if you kick it down (floor it), but you probably won't like the gas mileage!

[trident9440]

Thanks guys.
What kind of tune up would you suggest then?

[integrasedan]

when you floor it, the pedal to the floor, the transmission should automatically downshift for more power.

if it does not, you should check your throttle cable for too much slack. Adjust if necessary, if that's the problem, you will also notice faster throttle response.

[SenseiAccord]

i would suggest checking the distributor for carbon tracks, cracks, erroded terminals, rotor problems, etc etc. also check spark plugs, wires, timing, and air filter.

Could be something complicated like carbon deposites building up on the valves restricting flow.