Engine/transmission pulses on my 2006

[John in LB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Synergy @ Feb 5 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]385799[/snapback]</div>

I'm in the market of getting a more efficient car....

I went to go test drive the PRIUS today and the only thing i did not like is when i was on the express way ...

I FELT THE SAME THING

When the accelerator was depressed halfway while accelerating the car reved up and down almost as if it were stuck switchinge BTWN two gears...
well

thats the only think I DIDN"T LIKE

I may just end up getting the yaris

unless anybody has an answer to this
[/b]

I am guessing you are referring to the continuously variable transmission - a prius does not have gears per se. This is a technological + and not a minus.

If I were you, I would not worry about that feeling - it is just that you are not used to the throttle pedal yet and so, as you were slightly moving your foot on the gas pedal, the computer was adjusting the gear ratio / engine RPMs to provide optimal acceleration.

As you get comfortable with the car - this audio sensation of surging will be much less and is not relevant to the operation of the car. You will notice that it was just a sound and not an actual car acceleration / deceleration issue.

[clack1]

I have the same thing happening! I notice it on the really cold mornings. The surging is a bit unnerving, especially when in need of power (when pulling out of a side street) and it isn't there! It happens even after my 20 mile Warm up ride in my commute - i ususallu let things warm up a bit before I take off in the morning, drive 20 miles to doggey day care and then another 5 miles to work. The pulsing and stutter happen after the first 18 miles, going up a long hill at hiway speed, and again in town when in "winter stealth" (ICE kicking in due to temp, i think). It kind of freaks me out but i thought it was just me.
I'm glad, I think, that others experience this but is this "normal"?????

[richard schumacher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shane @ Jan 24 2007, 02:41 PM) [snapback]380172[/snapback]</div>

For about the past 2 weeks or so, in the morning while trying to accelerate, my 06 seems to stutter a little. It acts like it is hitting ice and the TCS kicks in, although there isn't anything but dry, cold pavement. Then while accelerating the engine seems to pulse. It is actually very noticable. With my foot on the gas pedal and in a consistent position, the car accelerates then slows, then accelerates then slows. This continues for a little while.
[/b]

The stuttering sounds like the TCS kicking in when you hit a slippery spot. Try easing off the gas a little.

Do you really mean the *car* accelerates and slows? Or do you mean that the engine is revving up and down?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Synergy @ Feb 5 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]385799[/snapback]</div>

When the accelerator was depressed halfway while accelerating the car reved up and down almost as if it were stuck switchinge BTWN two gears...
[/b]

Completely normal. The engine is putting out more or less power as needed moment-to-moment. Unlike a conventional car, the Prius' engine RPMs are not a simple function of road speed.

The traction control is a different matter. When a drive wheel starts to slip the Prius shuts off power for a moment to protect the electric drive motors. The solution is usually to just ease off the gas.

Some people expect to get out of snow or oncoming traffic by stomping on the gas and spinning their wheels. This does not work in a Prius. On the other hand it is impossible to stall a Prius engine. If you're afraid of losing traction when going up a slippery driveway, try going slower. 1 MPH is perfectly feasible.

[windstrings]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Synergy @ Feb 5 2007, 07:17 PM) [snapback]385799[/snapback]</div>

I'm in the market of getting a more efficient car....

I went to go test drive the PRIUS today and the only thing i did not like is when i was on the express way ...

I FELT THE SAME THING

When the accelerator was depressed halfway while accelerating the car reved up and down almost as if it were stuck switchinge BTWN two gears...


well

thats the only think I DIDN"T LIKE

I may just end up getting the yaris

unless anybody has an answer to this [/b]

Yea.. it sounds like your not used to the CVT Transmission.... did you watch the speedometer while you "felt" like you weren't going anywhere?. be careful or you'll be going 90 before you know it!....
Now that I'm used to it.. I feel like all other cars are model T's and very primitive .... I ride next to cars that pick up speed and then slow, pick up and then slow as thier transmission does its "standard" thing... quite comical!... although useful for racing or extreme off roading, having to switch gears is old school big time.
These are so smooth and powerful!....
I encourage you to take it out again and look closer this time!


I have felt similiar also... but its only when I floor it from a dead stop and its cold.
In the mornings the roads are damper from night mist and oils that mix... I just assumed my tires were trying to slip....

Maybe its something else.... I'll have to pay better attention.

[jimklausner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Feb 6 2007, 11:03 AM) [snapback]386049[/snapback]</div>

The stuttering sounds like the TCS kicking in when you hit a slippery spot. Try easing off the gas a little.

Do you really mean the *car* accelerates and slows? Or do you mean that the engine is revving up and down?
Completely normal. The engine is putting out more or less power as needed moment-to-moment. Unlike a conventional car, the Prius' engine RPMs are not a simple function of road speed.

The traction control is a different matter. When a drive wheel starts to slip the Prius shuts off power for a moment to protect the electric drive motors. The solution is usually to just ease off the gas.

Some people expect to get out of snow or oncoming traffic by stomping on the gas and spinning their wheels. This does not work in a Prius. On the other hand it is impossible to stall a Prius engine. If you're afraid of losing traction when going up a slippery driveway, try going slower. 1 MPH is perfectly feasible.
[/b]

I was glad for your posting because I experienced traction control operating for the first time when I went out my snowy driveway a couple of days ago. Whenever the traction control kicked in, the ICE appeared to either lose revs or cut out completely. That had me worried. Now, I am almost hoping for more snow and ice here in Connecticut so I can utilize the transaction control as you suggest..."just ease off the gas." I found it interesting that you say if is impossible to stall a Prius engine. That was what I thought was about to happen on my driveway. Of course, it didn't happen.