Serious hesitation on Camry Hybrid

[zo6tosv]

Before I go the dealer route just wondering if anyone has experienced the same issue. Riding at highway speeds with the foot on the gas pedal holding a steady speed accelerating is no problem, passing cars is no problem.
However, when lifting off the gas pedal and then pushing it down again causes the car to do nothing for almost two seconds. It's almost as if it's trying to figure out what to do, then all the power kicks in. This can be dangerous actually if not expected and i almost found out the hard way the first time it happened. At highway speed the person in front of me decides to step on the brake, i lift off the gas, look in the side view mirror and had plenty of time to hit the gas and switch lanes, or so i thought. As mentioned above the car just did nothing with my foot down for a couple of seconds which seemed like an eternity. All i saw was the car behind me approaching and suddenly the power kicked in and off i went. I know the guy behind me must have thought 'why is this idiot switching lanes in front of me and going nowhere?', which happens alot on the highway especially on 'sundays'.
So i tested the car again in a parking lot and the same thing happened. Wondering if this is happening or will happen to anybody else. If i would have to guess i think this is a software issue. Any input would be appreciated.
Car is a 2007.

[Tideland Prius]

If the engine is already on, then it should. However, if it switches off, then yes there's a slight delay as the engine comes on then spools up to some rpm.

The delay shouldn't be any longer than a regular car with DBW. On a car with DBW, there's a lag before the computer realises that you want more power and then of course the car has to downshift.

[Devil's Advocate]

There is a small lag before the electric motor kicks in sometimes. It can usually be overcome by planning ahead or pushing down farther on the pedal. The delay seems long but is really shorter than most cars. Thie difference is that for that 1-2 seconds nothing then wamo! all the power in the world. Other car decieve yo by ramping up the rpm's soo you think your accelerating but not really that much.

[n8kwx]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 19 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]527882[/snapback]</div>

The delay shouldn't be any longer than a regular car with DBW.
[/b]

From what I hear this is not uncommon with ANY car anymore. If you want some fun, check out the Lexus ES300 forums... (2001-2006)

BTW. I am very happy with my TCH - I highly recommend it. Bought it in June 2006 and have almost 29k miles already. No problems at all, except for a dash squeak that they all get (fixable).

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n8kwx @ Oct 19 2007, 04:15 PM) [snapback]527951[/snapback]</div>

From what I hear this is not uncommon with ANY car anymore. If you want some fun, check out the Lexus ES300 forums... (2001-2006)

BTW. I am very happy with my TCH - I highly recommend it. Bought it in June 2006 and have almost 29k miles already. No problems at all, except for a dash squeak that they all get (fixable).
[/b]

I believe the ES is the transmission lag, no?

I'm talking about the drive-by-wire system. On the Camry, it had the same effect. If I'm stopped and I floor the accelerator, there's a lag before anything happens.

[gil]

I have an 07 Camry Hybrid and an 05 Prius and have never experienced this lag you mentioned in either car. If it is as pronounced as you say and is reproducible, I'd take it to the dealer and make sure you demonstrate it to the Hybrid mechanic not just describe it to the service writer. I've found with at least the dealer I bought the Prius from, I have to show the mechanic the problem or you get it back with "can't reproduce" or "no problem found" which is a complete waste of time for you.

I'm extremely pleased with both cars, especially the Camry; it's as quiet as any Lexus.

Good luck and let us know if they find the cause.

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zo6tosv @ Oct 19 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]527863[/snapback]</div>

Before I go the dealer route just wondering if anyone has experienced the same issue. Riding at highway speeds with the foot on the gas pedal holding a steady speed accelerating is no problem, passing cars is no problem.
However, when lifting off the gas pedal and then pushing it down again causes the car to do nothing for almost two seconds. It's almost as if it's trying to figure out what to do, then all the power kicks in. This can be dangerous actually if not expected and i almost found out the hard way the first time it happened. At highway speed the person in front of me decides to step on the brake, i lift off the gas, look in the side view mirror and had plenty of time to hit the gas and switch lanes, or so i thought. As mentioned above the car just did nothing with my foot down for a couple of seconds which seemed like an eternity. All i saw was the car behind me approaching and suddenly the power kicked in and off i went. I know the guy behind me must have thought 'why is this idiot switching lanes in front of me and going nowhere?', which happens alot on the highway especially on 'sundays'.
So i tested the car again in a parking lot and the same thing happened. Wondering if this is happening or will happen to anybody else. If i would have to guess i think this is a software issue. Any input would be appreciated.
Car is a 2007.
[/b]

When I drive my Prius and I think I might want to consider passing someone in the near future, I immediately press the throttle to the floor.

Immediately!!

Then, while the powertrain is gathering itself for the effort, I kind of assess the situation, maybe check my hair in the rearview, and decide what I'm going to do.

*Pass? No problem, because the power I'd asked for earlier will just be arriving. Perfect timing!
*No Pass? No problem, for the same reason. The car hasn't actually begun accelerating yet; I release the throttle and it's like nothing happened!
[smile]

Okay, it's not nearly that bad, but --honestly-- this car has the most throttle lag of any production car I've ever driven, even old ones with turbochargers.

I don't think it's dangerous, but, yes, there's definitely a second or so there which can seem EXTREMELY long if you'd like to go, but the car isn't ready yet.

--------------

I believe the lag has primarily to do with the nature of the Power Split Device, and if the gasoline engine happens to be running at that moment or not.

[priusenvy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zo6tosv @ Oct 19 2007, 12:28 PM) [snapback]527863[/snapback]</div>

However, when lifting off the gas pedal and then pushing it down again causes the car to do nothing for almost two seconds. It's almost as if it's trying to figure out what to do, then all the power kicks in.
[/b]

Both of our Priuses have done this since the day they we got them, although I'd say the delay is more like half a second. It's definitely real, you can clearly see it on the acceleration graphs of the hybrid Camry on Road & Track's hybrid comparison article from a few months ago, and they also mention it in their story.

What I've done to prevent this from ever being a problem is always ease into the accelerator until it's half open and then nail it to the floor after about half a second. I don't get the delay that way. It's only when I stomp on the pedal from 0% throttle that I get the delay.

Many drivers will never notice the lag because they don't drive aggressively enough to trigger it.

[n8kwx]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 19 2007, 07:14 PM) [snapback]527981[/snapback]</div>

I believe the ES is the transmission lag, no?
[/b]

The ES was (is) DBW. A few people complained (an understatement) while others didn't notice a problem. Lots of flame wars back and forth...

As far as the Camry, I have never had an instance where I noticed any lag. And once in a while I do drive it hard. (It's not a V8 like my old car, but I get over twice the milage)

[hobbit]

sheez, if you're cutting your lane changes that close in front of
other people, the problem doesn't appear to be with the car.
.
_H*