puterdummy59

I just wrote the Popular Mechanics Q&A site about the following, but thought, for what it's worth, I would nail it up here too. Here's a copy of what I wrote 'em:

Hello-

I bought a 2005 Honda Accord V-6 Hybrid last summer. It has been a great car so far.

The problem I am noticing, and the local dealership service people can't find anything wrong, is after it has been driven for a while in warm weather, say, over an hour or so in city driving, it seems the acceleration from take-off is just not all there at times.
I may step on it one time, and it will feel like it is smothering or something is stopped up, a bit of hesitance, and the next time I take off from a stop, it may be better, but not as good as before it has reached operating temperature.

The man at the dealership tells me that high octane 91 or so, is good for it. I have tried all three octane levels, and overall, 91 does seem to make it perform better than lower. There are no "check engine" or trouble lights on at all.

It only has 7,500 miles on it.

Last winter in cold weather, it ran like the wind--no problems. A few weeks ago, however, in our warm weather, it went through a period where it was extra peppy, and would screech the tires if I wasn't careful! Now, it is back to it's off and on problem.

They can't find anything wrong with it at the dealership. I haven't a clue either. I feel a car with a rated 255hp should give consistent performance and not mediocre, most all the time.

What do you feel could be going on with this car? I would sure appreciate a good guess anyway, because now, I'm finding myself not as pleased with this car as when I first bought it.

Thanks so much-


It may stump them too, but somehow, that new car "honeymoon feelin'" has kinda worn off.

Spacemonkey6401

It may be vapor locking, since it is doing it when it seems to be hot. Try opening the gas cap the next time it does it, see if that doesn't help.

puterdummy59

Thanks, 6401. I'll give that a shot.