Throttle Response

Yes, we all do. After i tuned it took A LOT of the hesitation away, but i do believe there is a TSB out for it, that will also solve most of it..

Well if this is a known problem then Chevy needs to solve it before someone gets hurt. i've almost had 2 wrecks because the car pauses and then decides to go.

I will find it one second, there was a member who mentioned it and all, but i can't find the thread

I had that happen when it got really hot outside. I floored it and it choked pulling out into traffic and I thought I was going to get T-boned.

1) Spark plugs gaps - remove them and adjust to .035". There's a huge thread on this issue.
2) Run a higher octane gas than 87.

Throttle response was MUCH improved after the first one, mildly before the first by using higher octane.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/10-e...6688-your-spark-plugs-gapped-incorrectly.html

I second the recommendation for checking your spark plug gaps and moving up to a higher octane fuel.

If it's Savannah, GA, I'd absolutely run premium year-round. The heat and humidity do a number to a car's throttle response down there. Running the air conditioning at setting 2 or 3 for 9-10 months of the year definitely won't help, either.

I'd get the re-flash at the dealer for the hesitation, re-gap the plugs, and run premium in the tank going forward. Also, look into a tune if the hesitation is still there.

It's always going to be there since we're running drive-by-wire throttle bodies, but the things mentioned will help a bit. It's worth a try to do these things, but don't expect it to be cured...

The Cruze is turbocharged car, Its going to react differently to WOT than an NA car. You kind of have to plan ahead. full boost is not instant, and never has been or will be with any turbocharged vehicle. It takes some time getting used to but once you get the hang of it its a blast. All my cars have been turbocharged for the past 10 years. I cant get enough. B00st is addictive.. and I have an addictive personality.

I owned a turbocharged car before this (a high-pressure turbo that didn't pick up power at all til 2800 RPM). It reacted nothing like this one did before I changed those two things - the Cruze just flat-out choked and acted like it was going to stall (even after revving to 1500 RPM before letting the clutch out).

It runs like I believe it should now. Takes off like a little rocket from a stoplight with next to no turbo lag at all. I really only notice the lag anymore if I shift too early between 2-3 [under 2000 RPM].

jblackburn said:

I had that happen when it got really hot outside. I floored it and it choked pulling out into traffic and I thought I was going to get T-boned.

1) Spark plugs gaps - remove them and adjust to .035". There's a huge thread on this issue.
2) Run a higher octane gas than 87.

Throttle response was MUCH improved after the first one, mildly before the first by using higher octane.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/10-e...6688-your-spark-plugs-gapped-incorrectly.html

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I'm all about improving this problem as I too have the same experience as the Op... I just wanna :banghead: when I hear moving up to higher octane. I vowed never to have to do that when I bought a new car... I went from using higher octane in my last Isuzu because it would knock crazy if I didn't & am so disgusted with gas prices (yea I know, they are down... for now), but living in a large metro area you have to have some get up and went with your vehicle. I've managed to compensate, but **** if I don't have to almost stop to get the jump on traffic. I know, I know M/T, but there to I wasn't going back to that either... maybe I'm lazy, but I want the car to do the work, not me, but I digress.

NOTE: TSB, re-flash... really, that is the 1st I've heard & Monday @ the dealership it was not mentioned.

I bought the Cruze for the same reason; my previous car would only run on 89 or 93 and got a whopping 16 mpg around town. I was annoyed when I thought I'd have to run on high octane again.

To be honest though, it hasn't been as hot, but since I changed the gaps, I've run two tanks of 87 and it runs great!

jblackburn said:

I bought the Cruze for the same reason; my previous car would only run on 89 or 93 and got a whopping 16 mpg around town. I was annoyed when I thought I'd have to run on high octane again.

To be honest though, it hasn't been as hot, but since I changed the gaps, I've run two tanks of 87 and it runs great!

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I'm going to have to pull the trigger & check the plug gaps myself... I too think that my experience will be like yours, well at least I hope it will. I did the resonator delete two weeks ago & saw an improvement in gas mileage. So, here is hoping the gaps will give back some much needed responsiveness.

TechCruzer said:

I'm going to have to pull the trigger & check the plug gaps myself... I too think that my experience will be like yours, well at least I hope it will. I did the resonator delete two weeks ago & saw an improvement in gas mileage. So, here is hoping the gaps will give back some much needed responsiveness.

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It has across the board with everyone that has done this. Do let us know how it goes though!

How does your exhaust sound now that you removed the resonator? Do you still have the stock muffler?

XtremeRevolution said:

It has across the board with everyone that has done this. Do let us know how it goes though!

How does your exhaust sound now that you removed the resonator? Do you still have the stock muffler?

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Copy that I most definitely will post my results when I check the gaps. I can't honestly say I've listened or noticed a difference in sound... I don't plan on changing my stock muffler... I just have a chrome tip on it for aesthetics & really looking more for efficiency than sound... looking around for a good price on a K&N drop in, but that is about all I'll be doing.

sciphi said:

If it's Savannah, GA, I'd absolutely run premium year-round. The heat and humidity do a number to a car's throttle response down there. Running the air conditioning at setting 2 or 3 for 9-10 months of the year definitely won't help, either.

I'd get the re-flash at the dealer for the hesitation, re-gap the plugs, and run premium in the tank going forward. Also, look into a tune if the hesitation is still there.

Click to expand...

What do you mean by getting it re-flashed at dealership?

savgaboy said:

I just purchased a 2011 Chevy Cruze LTZ RS. I've noticed that on take off the car hesitates a second before it goes. Example: pulling into traffic is very dangerous because when I floor it the hesitation sucks. Is anyone else having this issue?

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savgaboy,
I understand that this is frustrating. I would suggest that you take your vehicle to your dealership and have them look into this for you. Please keep me posted and if you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

Last July with my 2011 6M ECO Cruze being brand new and not broken in and in hot and humid weather and running A/C - lag/bog was very noticeable and even dangerous. Subsequently have modded with K&N drop in, Trifecta Tune, 93 octane and the engine is fully broken in and oil is full synthetic Mobil 1 - Cruze is much better now with A/C running. I had a day off on Monday and picked up the spark plug gapping tool and magnetic plug socket, if the weather holds up, I will check and re gap plugs as needed but no more than .03 since I have the Trifecta Tune. My previous drive by wire vehicle was a Supercharged 2002 Mercedes C230K 6M-I do not recall any lag at all with that vehicle. I did noticed a lag on my wife's new 2012 Honda CR-V (2.4 N/A) also a drive by wire throttle vehicle. I was surprised as Honda's are known for excellent running engines/transmissions.

Hondas have no torque under 2200 RPM - my mom's 2.4 is the same way. It bogs down very badly if you shift too early into 3rd, so it just sounds like you're driving it like a race car otherwise if you want a linear acceleration through the gears.

In my Volvo, if you ran 87, you could floor the gas in the summer and it would take off at the pace of a VW Beetle til you hit 3000 RPM. Then it'd shove you back in the seat and chirp the tires. 89/93 octane made it much better as it wasn't pulling timing for severe knock with more knock resistant gasoline, but it was still dreadfully slow. A tall first gear coupled with a big turbo, small engine, and no variable valve timing were all to blame for that.

Well i gapped my spark plugs and the car runs way way better if u check my sign i did some mods like a injen short RAM intake with a bigger filter 2.5 piping with an rs type muffler all i can say is that the car feels like it can breathe and pull a lot harder it finally feels more fun to drive. Once my tune it Will feel more responsive not building a race car but i would like to enjoy my car more. Will post a video on my new exhaust soon.