Sluggish acceleration

[MT Runner]

This is a bit vague, but I’m curious to know if anyone has experienced something similar.

When I take off from a complete stop, the 4Runner seems to be normal, normal pep or whatever you want to call it.

When it seems to be sluggish is when I’m slowing down at stop light or a round-a-bout and then hit the gas again before I’m at a complete stop. It almost feels as if I’m towing something, it’s just sluggish for lack of a better term.

This is a new thing over the last couple of months, it hasn’t always driven this way.

I don’t think it’s a locked up brake or anything like that, my mpg’s haven’t gone down in any way, the only time I’m seeing a difference in response is when I’m still rolling and hit the gas to accelerate again.

Also, could be related in some way, I’m currently trying figure out what has caused a small engine oil leak. It’s not from the drain plug. I took it into a shop last week and they said it was the crankshaft oil seal, so I had that replaced, but the leak is still happening. It’s small, maybe the size of a 50 cent piece over night. But it’s definitely a new thing as well, started in roughly the same time frame, within the last couple of months.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

This is a bit vague, but I’m curious to know if anyone has experienced something similar.

When I take off from a complete stop, the 4Runner seems to be normal, normal pep or whatever you want to call it.

When it seems to be sluggish is when I’m slowing down at stop light or a round-a-bout and then hit the gas again before I’m at a complete stop. It almost feels as if I’m towing something, it’s just sluggish for lack of a better term.

This is a new thing over the last couple of months, it hasn’t always driven this way.

I don’t think it’s a locked up brake or anything like that, my mpg’s haven’t gone down in any way, the only time I’m seeing a difference in response is when I’m still rolling and hit the gas to accelerate again.

Also, could be related in some way, I’m currently trying figure out what has caused a small engine oil leak. It’s not from the drain plug. I took it into a shop last week and they said it was the crankshaft oil seal, so I had that replaced, but the leak is still happening. It’s small, maybe the size of a 50 cent piece over night. But it’s definitely a new thing as well, started in roughly the same time frame, within the last couple of months.

Mine does something similar when my AC is turned on, I have just learned to deal with it

 

[UrbanRunner651]

Common with E Throttle & higher mileage AT. Doing a drain/refill to refresh the system could help otherwise it is what it is.

 

[MT Runner]

Common with E Throttle & higher mileage AT. Doing a drain/refill to refresh the system could help otherwise it is what it is.

Thanks. I do have almost 207k now.

Although its a little annoying, it’s not a huge deal, I can certainly live with it. If I know that’s all it is and nothing specifically is wrong or needs to be fixed, I can handle that.

It’s when it’s an unknown problem that I start to wonder if it could/should be fixed and wonder if I’m doing damage by driving it and not fixing it yet.

I do fully plan on doing a full trans fluid exchange here this spring/early summer, hopefully I get a little help from that.

 

[LOSTR4]

You can always try a Sprint Booster...I have been very happy with the pep it gave the ole girl...clean fluid can never hurt either...

 

[Peaceloveandtattoo]

Me too!

I actually have the same issue with my 2019 TRD Off-road. I’ve only got 5k miles so mileage is not an issue for me. It’s been surprising how sluggish the acceleration has been at times. Could be the Arizona heat? It’s always been after driving for a little while during summer. Hoping winter is better!

 

[MrSeth]

I almost want to equate it to the fan clutch and AC running. With the car cool and the AC off, my issue of that goes away. I think its just the nature of these old beasts.

 

[bsthe]

a/c compressor and engaged fan clutch definitely places more load on the engine, more noticeable at lower rpms.
Also, different from accelerating from a stop, accelerating while rolling with the trans in a higher gear will feel sluggish. Will have to hit the gas to force a downshift.