Hot weather, anyone else notice this

[03_4x4Runner]

I knew going into my 5th gen that these things are no rocket ships but it really turns into a slug when the temp gets above 90 here. I realize power goes down when the temp goes up but this thing is worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It feels like I am always pulling a small trailer around and it is not really fun at all. It was just barely acceptable in cooler temps but I have 5 more months of hot weather here in the desert. I realize most people do not live in such a hot climate but does anyone else notice this? I will be putting the stock 20s back on soon taking off the 275 KO2 tires as off road season is over here so that will help a little.

 

[Metalhead77]

I'm assuming you have the AC running since it's so hot. In every vehicle I have owned (many) running the AC takes a hit to the power of the vehicle. The bigger tires will make the vehicle feel more sluggish also. I noticed a slight power loss on my tundra when I upgraded to KO2's, and I only went an inch taller to 33's.

 

[Georgiey22]

This week we took a 600 mile road trip through the California Central Coast where there are grades, hills and flat coastal roads. The temperature was steady at 70-72 degrees all week, so it wasn't hot. I noticed that on the hills the T4R is very sluggish, told my wife I missed driving our Acura TL because that car is quick. Not sure you are seeing this sluggish response because of heat or hills but the struggle is real. Maybe time for us to invest in a Supercharger!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

It is the same hills and temperatures I have lived in for the past 15 years. The a/c is definitely on. It is still cool here at 90. It will soon be 110-115 degrees.
I guess the 4runner is trying to tell me to put it back in the air conditioned garage.

 

[Kashoggio]

It is the same hills and temperatures I have lived in for the past 15 years. The a/c is definitely on. It is still cool here at 90. It will soon be 110-115 degrees.
I guess the 4runner is trying to tell me to put it back in the air conditioned garage.

90 for me is way too hot and I avoid it at all costs. It's been in the mid 90s here and I wonder anyone loves this weather

 

[03_4x4Runner]

90 for me is way too hot and I avoid it at all costs. It's been in the mid 90s here and I wonder anyone loves this weather

It is not that I love the hot weather it is just that I hate cold weather in the winter more.

 

[proimion]

Without objective data, it is difficult to tell whether "...anyone else notice this?" If all we do is tell purely subjective anecdotes, then it is is just a gripe session. Sometimes that can be fun, too.

I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX 4-cyl. When I drive that after a long time of driving my T4R, yes, I notice the Honda seems peppier by comaprison. Am I concerned that a small 4-banger that is 12 years older "feels" peppier than my T4R? No, because it is a completely different vehicle built for a completely different use case. The Accord doesn't try to compromise--it is flat pavement only to carry a few people and little gear. So what good is it to compare?

But if you had some data that showed the objective difference between your T4R on a cold day vs the same T4R configured and loaded the same way on a hot day on the same route, then that might be interesting. For example, 0-60 or 30-60 times. I'm not sure all that effort would tell you anything you (hopefully) didn't already know when you bought the T4R.

Or maybe you just feel sluggish in the heat and so then everything else seems sluggish too. How would you know that isn't what is going on? :flame:

 

[Chsbrgr]

Curious to know how much of a difference putting your street tire/rim set-up back on makes. I'm still running the factory tires, but have left them aired down to 25 psi the last two weeks because I'm spending so much time in the dirt. I sure can tell that the 4R is much more sluggish on my everyday drive to work.

 

[spawn]

I just did a road trip from St. Louis, MO to Sarasota, FL and going around Kissimmee and Orlando, lastweek. Upon heading to Chattanooga it feels like i am pulling another vehicle.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Curious to know how much of a difference putting your street tire/rim set-up back on makes. I'm still running the factory tires, but have left them aired down to 25 psi the last two weeks because I'm spending so much time in the dirt. I sure can tell that the 4R is much more sluggish on my everyday drive to work.

I switch several times a year. It is not a day and night difference but definitely noticeable. Some people switch to a bigger heavier tire and say they do not feel a difference. I think they are so excited about their new tires they do not notice it. When you go back to the stock tire it has a little more pep and less downshifting in the mountains. Just a more satisfying responsive drive.

Where are you at in the Mohave desert?

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Without objective data, it is difficult to tell whether "...anyone else notice this?" If all we do is tell purely subjective anecdotes, then it is is just a gripe session. Sometimes that can be fun, too.

I have a 2004 Honda Accord EX 4-cyl. When I drive that after a long time of driving my T4R, yes, I notice the Honda seems peppier by comaprison. Am I concerned that a small 4-banger that is 12 years older "feels" peppier than my T4R? No, because it is a completely different vehicle built for a completely different use case. The Accord doesn't try to compromise--it is flat pavement only to carry a few people and little gear. So what good is it to compare?

But if you had some data that showed the objective difference between your T4R on a cold day vs the same T4R configured and loaded the same way on a hot day on the same route, then that might be interesting. For example, 0-60 or 30-60 times. I'm not sure all that effort would tell you anything you (hopefully) didn't already know when you bought the T4R.

Or maybe you just feel sluggish in the heat and so then everything else seems sluggish too. How would you know that isn't what is going on? :flame:

The only data is my right foot. When I push the gas regardless of how hard the 4runner does not want to go (at least not very quickly).

 

[Ezlife45]

I used to think my old truck was a slug that couldn't get out of it's own way. Now I have an inherited truck that makes it look like a racecar. In 5th gear it loses speed over this hill in town. The old truck could handle it.

My runner is faster than both of them.

 

[Hadelson]

I knew going into my 5th gen that these things are no rocket ships but it really turns into a slug when the temp gets above 90 here. I realize power goes down when the temp goes up but this thing is worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It feels like I am always pulling a small trailer around and it is not really fun at all. It was just barely acceptable in cooler temps but I have 5 more months of hot weather here in the desert. I realize most people do not live in such a hot climate but does anyone else notice this? I will be putting the stock 20s back on soon taking off the 275 KO2 tires as off road season is over here so that will help a little.

Completed a 300 mile road trip yesterday. Started at 72 Degrees and peaked at 91 Degrees for most of the day. Running 70-80 MPH with AC and completed round-trip at 20.3MPG. I have a 14 TE, running Borla Cat-back Exhaust and TRD CAI. Pulled these east coast hills just fine.
Also have a 15 Camry XSE, 3.5L V6 running induction and Borla Exhaust. My T4R compared to this is a rolling brick.

 

[apollo]

i don't notice this at all, and i do a lot of driving in 90s+ temps

 

[1engineer]

I knew going into my 5th gen that these things are no rocket ships but it really turns into a slug when the temp gets above 90 here. I realize power goes down when the temp goes up but this thing is worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It feels like I am always pulling a small trailer around and it is not really fun at all. It was just barely acceptable in cooler temps but I have 5 more months of hot weather here in the desert. I realize most people do not live in such a hot climate but does anyone else notice this? I will be putting the stock 20s back on soon taking off the 275 KO2 tires as off road season is over here so that will help a little.

I don't know what you want man. You complained about the V6 before you even bought it a few years ago. You were in love with the 4th gen you had and knew what you were getting into. Now after owning it a few years you again are whining about the lack of power. When you put the pedal down it goes, hot or cold. I know you want the low end torque but it ain't happening and you know that. Your heat only accounts for a few percent of torque loss and this is the third summer right?

Get a Land Cruiser. Posting about lack of power will not magically make it better.

For what it's worth it have driven mine in 120 degree heat and -25 degree cold. There's a bit of difference but not enough to keep you from going 70 on the interstate.

You really need something else like a race car or something. Get a diesel Chevy maybe.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Or, maybe trade it in for an old 3 cylinder geo metro with an auto. Drive that around for a few months, then go and buy your 4runner back. You'll be so happy with the power the 4runner makes, that you won't ever stop praising toyota and how they stuffed so much power into such a large vehicle!

I find it humorous that people expect sportscar performance from a utility vehicle! I'm sorry, but there are very few vehicles that can do everything well, including performance, luxury, offroad and utility capabilities, while carrying 4 bodies and a bunch of crap in the rear, no matter if its 20 below or 100+ degrees. However, if you do find one, I suggest you buy it immediately and never, ever look back.

 

[Swampmonger]

90 for me is way too hot and I avoid it at all costs. It's been in the mid 90s here and I wonder anyone loves this weather

Believe it or not, 90 in AZ really isn't all that hot. It actually feels very comfortable. Also, when it's 90 during the day the evenings get rather cool so, on average, it feels really nice.

To the OP, I've only had mine for two weeks so I don't have enough wheel time to tell, but I don't feel any reduction in power with an increased outside temp so far. Saturday is supposed to be our first 115F day so we shall see.

 

[tigger]

This is a very common issue. Engines lose power with hot air.
There was an they were driving the new Porsche 911 GT2. Maybe because it was Turbo but Porsche told them the ground temp was too hot to get full power and wait to drive it at night. They stated that you could lose 70 - 80 horsepower just based on the temperature. This was at a surface temp of 160 degrees which we easily see during the summer months in this area.

 

[philsey]

I knew going into my 5th gen that these things are no rocket ships but it really turns into a slug when the temp gets above 90 here. I realize power goes down when the temp goes up but this thing is worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It feels like I am always pulling a small trailer around and it is not really fun at all. It was just barely acceptable in cooler temps but I have 5 more months of hot weather here in the desert. I realize most people do not live in such a hot climate but does anyone else notice this? I will be putting the stock 20s back on soon taking off the 275 KO2 tires as off road season is over here so that will help a little.

I, for one, will be damned happy when the OP sells his 4R. Getting sick of the carping. I suppose it's too late to suggest he test drive before purchasing.

 

[Gecko]

"Didn't you test drive before you purchased?"

"You knew what you were getting into."

"You've owned it for _ years now."

All are true, but lets stop making up excuses for the fact that this truck is underpowered, plain and simple, and the problem is exasperated by hot weather. It is what it is - don't act like it doesn't exist.

The dude is frustrated, and has a point.