I've searched the forum and saw a few threads about this(all old) and have thus decided that i'm going to start using some premium gas and when my engine cools down i'm going to check my plug gaps. Outside of this, and a pricey tune, what else can I do to get this Cruze to run right in this weather? it's currently only 94F(34.4C) and it's been running pretty sloppy today, and in 2 weeks I have to drive all the way from the gulf coast to Illinois, Any other low cost suggestions(and preferably not warranty voiding) would be greatly appreciated.
Hot weather and sluggish running
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After checking the spark plug gaps - set them to 0.028"-0.030" and a couple of tanks of 91/93 octane let us know. The next step would be to replace the plugs with NGK BKR8EIX (iridium) or NGK BKR7E (vPower copper). Both improve low RPM performance. The copper plugs will only last 10,000 to 20,000 miles however.
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Premium 93 and the coppers with proper gaps worked well for me. Improved grounding won't hurt either. The Cruze was by far the most affected by heat soak car I have ever owned. I have a GTO LS1 and BMW 320i - both cars are flawless in the heat and humidity.
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What year of Cruze do you have? 1.4 turbo I assume? Thanks
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- Get the coppers in your engine and 93 in your tank. I had no issues with A/C on in 90+ temps after that combo. Zero hesitation and I had a 6MT ECO.
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The thing is with premium, you should also pick up some MPGs, since timing is not being pulled. I kept my Pontiac when I got my Cruze. Glad I kept it. The gas mileage of the Pontiac on the highway is about half of what my ECO got. It does put a smile on my face when I drive it though.
Had that done middle of last month right after I got the letter. Seems to have changed nothing from my perception. I don't have a great point of relation sadly though, because it's a little hotter now than it was last month, and only going to get hotter till about the end of October (i'll hit a year in the car by then).
Since i've gotten the car(October 2014) , i've only had 31mpg average, down to 26 if I'm driving city instead of mostly highway. Guess i'll get a good test in a couple of weeks.
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Bones: Has the system been shutting the A/C off due to high engine temps. yet? That seems to be another symptom of the high ambient temperature performance problem. Make sure your coolant level is up to the mark also. Everything I've read here (and elsewhere), you really do need the 91 or 93 octane fuel and the proper plug gaps when the outside temperature goes above 90 degrees F.
Coolant is right where it needs to be, but I haven't been running the ac, it's kinda weak, and it bogs my engine down even worse. We've just been cruisin with the windows down, so I can't speak for the air shutting off.
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It appears GM didn't figure out proper timing to get things decent for the Cruze on 87 until the 2014+ ECM tuning. The pre-2014 cars are definitely heavily affected by hot weather on 87 octane.
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There was an issue with early Cruzen where they appeared to be under filled with refrigerant at the factory. The symptom was weak A/C performance.
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A tune won't help with no power at low RPM. The ECU is pulling power because it's knocking from being heat soaked at a stop - these cars are pretty bad about it.
Throw away the stock plugs and put in some of those BKR8EIX plugs. My car is tons more drivable, even with the AC on, with them. My first summer, with improperly gapped plugs, and trying to run 87 octane, the car would just about stall or cut ALL power when pulling out in traffic - it was terrible. Now I have no issues darting across traffic to make a quick left turn.
I run 87/89 in cold weather, and 93 in summer months. I don't mind doing it just in summer months, but I, too, bought the car because I thought it would run fine on regular.
A little bit of Freon added and my A/C works pretty good for a small car.
Throw away the stock plugs and put in some of those BKR8EIX plugs. My car is tons more drivable, even with the AC on, with them. My first summer, with improperly gapped plugs, and trying to run 87 octane, the car would just about stall or cut ALL power when pulling out in traffic - it was terrible. Now I have no issues darting across traffic to make a quick left turn.
I run 87/89 in cold weather, and 93 in summer months. I don't mind doing it just in summer months, but I, too, bought the car because I thought it would run fine on regular.
A little bit of Freon added and my A/C works pretty good for a small car.
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I have a 14 Eco 6 speed manual, engine runs well even in hot weather so long as I keep the engine running more than 1500 rpm, I live in Indiana so not very much hot weather here, I have only run 87 and it runs fine. Sounds like the older 1.4 doesn't run well on 87 in hot weather.
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There was a programming change for the 2014s that make them run a lot better on low octane (87) gas and in hot weather.
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Hey Bones,
I have the same problem here in Az. I take it we have the same car ( 2013 AT , LTZ ) . I have re-gapped my plugs , had the recall for the ECU done, run Premium gas and still have the hesitation. The car runs great in the cooler weather. Still deciding if I want to trade it in for something else.
I have the same problem here in Az. I take it we have the same car ( 2013 AT , LTZ ) . I have re-gapped my plugs , had the recall for the ECU done, run Premium gas and still have the hesitation. The car runs great in the cooler weather. Still deciding if I want to trade it in for something else.
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