possible throttle problem

[SimPlyxTriPPiN]

im not really sure if this is an actual problem. i have a '97 sl2 that i've had for about 7 months. i've noticed that when im driving and i release the gas, the car seems to keep goin. it takes awhile for the car to slow down, about 1/2 a block for it to decrease the speed by 5 (going 35mph). the rpm slowly descends. could it be the throttle body?

[avanwest]

I have a '98 Sl2 that is the same. There is almost no engine braking and you really have to use the brakes to start slowing down. It's not at all like my Acura, I barely use the brakes on it. It does seem strange when I switch cars but then again there are lot's of strange differences with Saturn.

Cheers

[SimPlyxTriPPiN]

yeah that's true. but imagine how much gas it takes if the car uses gas to slow down. what a waste that'll be.

[wolfman]

Throttle plate or cable is sticking. Simple fix. Clean the throttle body and lightly lube the cable with some silicon spray lubricant or cable and chain spray lubricant. CLEAN IT FIRST though, well oiled dirt is no better than unoiled dirt.

[avanwest]

True I guess. My Sl2 gets about 17-23 mpg city and 27-30 hwy. As you know Honda's get way better mileage. I guess what is happening is that even though the engine is absorbing friction to slow the car it's RPM's are down at idle so really its burning less than the Saturn that holds the RPM's and slowly cruises down? Do you ever notice that when you are braking the RPM's fall then the car gears down and the RPM's jump way up causing you to surge forward then you have to push the brakes even harder? I had to buy EBC greenstuff front pads just to feel safe. Wonder what it's going to cost me in the long run for brake parts?

[freakerz]

Wasn't that related to PCV valve too?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by avanwest

True I guess. My Sl2 gets about 17-23 mpg city and 27-30 hwy. As you know Honda's get way better mileage. I guess what is happening is that even though the engine is absorbing friction to slow the car it's RPM's are down at idle so really its burning less than the Saturn that holds the RPM's and slowly cruises down? Do you ever notice that when you are braking the RPM's fall then the car gears down and the RPM's jump way up causing you to surge forward then you have to push the brakes even harder? I had to buy EBC greenstuff front pads just to feel safe. Wonder what it's going to cost me in the long run for brake parts?

You may want to check into replacing your ECTS. My SC2 gets about 37 highway mpg and 30 city - about 3 mpg less than that if it's winter. By that, Hondas don't get much better gas mileage.

[avanwest]

Thanks for the advice, I have changed it to the newer brass one already. I'm thinking of checking th o2 sensor now.

[Razorbak]

Originally Posted by avanwest

Thanks for the advice, I have changed it to the newer brass one already. I'm thinking of checking th o2 sensor now.

Have you considered following wolfman's advice?

[avanwest]

Yes, already tried. Besides, absolutely no lag in throttle response in driveway. This condition only happens in drive. I think it's the normal way the transmission is geared that makes the car feel this way. I've also changed tranny fluid and filter nothing there for contamination. Otherwise the engine runs well, no codes etc. Only a nagging oil consumption issue - what's new right.

[wolfman]

Saturn transaxles (automatics) do downshift much more noticablely during deceleration (foot off throttle or slowing down with partial throttle) than other cars in their class you may have driven. What you may be feeling could actually be normal. Reading your first post I thought you were saying that the car was actually fighting the brakes when you were trying to stop.

[avanwest]

Originally Posted by wolfman

What you may be feeling could actually be normal.

Glad to hear that. What I meant about the brakes is that I'm using them harder to stop this car than I do in other cars. The car is not actually fighting the brakes, just the opposite. I need to use the brakes to fight the surge when the car down shifts.

[K-1]

Could it be the torque converter disengaging?