trouble going up hill

[vidfan]

Hello,

I have a 2008 Toyota with 64k miles on it and I bought it brand new. Been having issues losing speed when going up steep hills.

Last year I was driving from Central Maryland to Cumberland and most hills/mountains I would drive up would cause my speed to drop from 60 mph down to 30 mph and I would have the gas pedal fully pressed. A few days after the return trip the engine started to vibrate and turned out I needed to replace the spark plugs. When I try to go up local hills that aren't nearly as steep as the ones on my trip, my car still seems to struggle to gain speed still.

Anyone have this happen to them before or have an idea what could be the cause?

[bronsin]

Your transmission is automatic or manual?

It’s hard to believe a well-maintained Toyota would have this problem!

[vidfan]

It's automatic. I did have an issue from 5 years ago with a head gasket leak and had a friend fix it instead of an actual mechanic because of some financial issues but I have driven this route since then without a problem. This has just been happening within this year.

[bronsin]

Do you keep track of your MPG’s, and if so, has it been getting worse?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to help you, but I’m afraid even if I knew it’s beyond it fixing it yourself. If you keep driving it, I’m afraid it will grenade or be beyond economical fixing.

So I recommend you bring it to a shop, Even if you can’t afford to fix it at least you will know what it is and how much it costs to remedy.

I wish you luck and please tell us what happens!

[Leegamer]

Is it downshifting when you put your foot down or staying in high gear?

[vidfan]

@bronsin I haven't been tracking the MPG but I can try now and see if it's an overly drastic difference from what the original MPG is supposed to be. I appreciate you trying to help! I can look around to get it checked by a professional.

@Lee Since I haven't gone up a steep hill since last year I can't remember. I'll look for a hill this week and drive up it and see what happens. Thanks for answering!

[bronsin]

I have been thinking about your problem and it seems likely to me at the trouble is something to do with the repair of the head gasket by your friend. Who you say is not a mechanic.

If you have the car evaluated by a professional they will find out what it is. Of course I cannot do the valuation so my views are just a theory.

But your first step is to determine what the truth is And take it from there.

[iOLO]

sounds like fuel pump or fuel injectors. pump cant get enough fuel to get you up hill or injectors could be clogged