I took a trip from Yellowknife Canada to Calgary Canada last month. It was a one way trip with about 2000km drive. After I got to Calgary the cars been very sluggish. I had gotten a oil change right before the trip and did get the right type of oil.

I cant seem to tell what it could be. There are lots of Bugs from the trip on my radiator because the North in the summer is infested with bugs. I ended up finding some in my air filters as well but i cleaned them out temporarily. I havent changed the air filters in 12000km due to work and certain other obligations I have neglected my car. Kinda low on funds as well at the time since im looking for work so dont really want to go to the dealer.

I can get around a car and a pretty fast learner i have worked on my old 02 540i.. Cleaning throttle body, changing spark plugs, oil changes etc.

I just want to know what can be the first steps that are most important that i should work on? Maybe an ECU reset? But what about spark plugs? air filter? Throttle body? Remember this car has seen -45 C temps in yellowknife in the winter and a nasty bug infested ride back in summer.

Its not the same as it was the first 6 months I had it.

I have warranty from Go Auto in Edmonton ( Select Plus ) will the cover such things? Plus my grille broke from hitting a brainless crow in the winter

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I would try an ECU reset. That is fast,easy and free. If your trip was a slow and easy grandpa drive, the car will remember.

 

Yeah but the car sounds odd as well. The engine has this slight ringing sound.

 

How long, or for how many km, has it been acting strangely? Is it possible that you filled up with some bad gas (or just low octane) at the last fillup? IT happens; even at supposedly name brand stations.

 

Its been like this for about 4000 km. Will ECU reset help? my Mpg is terrible as well like 17mpg city and highway it doesnt change. And no i always but Premium 91 from shell or esso. Never regular or silver in my car.

 

Yeah, that's certainly long enough to have burned off any bad gas. IF it were mine, I'd try the easy stuff first: definitely checking the air filters again, cleaning the MAF sensors, and then go ahead and reset the ECU. Then, if the problem still persists, go on from there.

 

i'd do some throttle body cleaning, replacing throttle body gaskets (they are orange) and oil change.

Also, do an ECU reset and throttle body reset after doing so. Your car will be good as new without any lag in acceleration. Also, i'd always recommend doing throttle body cleaning every year or 10,000. you'll be surprise to see how much GUNK is in there. also do an MAF cleaning as well. just spray and wait! but just becareful not to touch it. they are very sensitive and expansive to replace.

 

Maybe something to do with the 3000ft difference in elevation between the cities combined with the dirty filters and ECU adapted to the performance?