[Chip Walker]

My Insight has 63,000 miles. At speeds above 70, the vehicle hiccups, revs drop slightly and then it passes. Has anyone else experienced this problem and what was the solution. I am also concerned about low mpg. On a recent 650 mile mixed use drive I am getting below 50 mpg.

 

[2hybrids]

CVT or 5 speed?

 

[hawkGT647]

If you have a 5-speed, it's possible that you are on the verge of lean burn, which does cause a change in power.
70+ mph is probably at the upper end where lean burn is available, and also may be the reason for the low mpg.

Another possibility is the egr valve acting up, which has been discussed before on the forum.

Regards,

 

[Chip Walker]

Hesitation

The Insight is an automatic.

 

[Guillermo]

Please let us know at exactly what engine RPM you are experiencing this issue.

 

[Chip Walker]

Hesitation

The symptoms are most evident at 3000 to 3500 rpm on a steady course doing 70, 75, 80 and 85 mph, all of which are possible speeds at those revs, although the latter maybe closer to 3800-4000 revs.

For example, last night I was doing 82 at 3500 revs and the hiccups were continuous.

Chip

 

[Aaron Cake]

High RPM issues in any car are often due to spark plugs. Have yours been changed? It's an expensive thing to do "just because" (the iridium plugs are super expensive compared to normal plugs), but if they have not been removed since the car was manufactured, now is the time to change them before they weld to the heads.

EGR valve issues are also common, but I doubt that's your problem since EGR lift at high speeds is only slight compared to low speeds.

 

[Chip Walker]

Thanks - good tip on the spark plugs. I'll take care of that this afternoon. I appreciate the feedback especially as I am concerned that the dealer service stations are not up to speed on diagnosis.

Chip

 

[bfivelover]

Re: Hesitation

The symptoms are most evident at 3000 to 3500 rpm on a steady course doing 70, 75, 80 and 85 mph, all of which are possible speeds at those revs, although the latter maybe closer to 3800-4000 revs.

For example, last night I was doing 82 at 3500 revs and the hiccups were continuous.

Chip

If this is indictative of your normal driving speed, that is the reason for the low MPG.

 

[Chip Walker]

Hesitation

Good point on the driving habits and well taken. Most of my driving is commuting (300 miles per week), 50% of which is at these high speeds and the rest is bumper to bumper on 35 mph back roads. Its unnerving though to be keeping up with the big dogs on the interstate with an engine that's hesitating.

 

[bfivelover]

Re: Hesitation

Good point on the driving habits and well taken. Most of my driving is commuting (300 miles per week), 50% of which is at these high speeds and the rest is bumper to bumper on 35 mph back roads. Its unnerving though to be keeping up with the big dogs on the interstate with an engine that's hesitating.

Bumper to bumper will also kill the MPG.