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Just bought a 2012 Prius 2, help! Unusual fan and accelerator?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Eco-Boi, Feb 23, 2013.

  1. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

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    So on January 28, 2013 I purchased for myself a 2012 Prius 2. I am worried about some things I have been experiencing:

    1. When I get to speeds of 65+ the accelerator seems to vibrate a little, but it doesnt feel like violent shaking. I had dealership look to see if the tires need to be rotated and they said it seemed "fine." Why is the accelerator feeling vibrational at higher speeds?
    2. It is winter here in New York, and I keep the heat temp and fan on low or 68(F), but when I drive the fan randomly turns up to high?
    3. How can I digitally check on the system indicators my current oil health?

    Any tips or information about the random turning up of my fan and vibrating accelerator at higher speeds would be great. I don't want to break my new car!
     
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I highly doubt #1 is happening. There's no force feedback mechanism in the pedal AFAIK. If you're noticing vibration, I suspect your tires are out of balance or you have a bent wheel.

    #2: Don't know. Do you have auto turned on or off? (I almost never use auto.)

    #3: AFAIK, Toyota has no oil life monitors or something that's supposed to approximate it.
     
  3. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

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    I am not sure if it is normal feeback, but for instance, on my last car which was petrol only, when I would accelerate faster it wouldn't do that to me. When it starts using more near and into the power part it makes the slight noise of vibration and I can feel it. It feels like it is under the accelerator or under the car under the part where the accelerator is. I had the dealership check because I was worried that the tires might need to be rotated, but they told me there was nothing wrong. Am I being lied to? How can I check what is wrong? Should I keep driving? And how am I supposed to know when to get an oil change then?
     
  4. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Congratulations and welcome to the Prius community!

    If the vibration feeling (and sound?) is that noticeable I would have the tires balanced. But could it be nothing more than the feel of the hybrid system normally operating? There are different sounds and feelings to this system that just take some getting use to.

    The varying fan speed is normal operation in Auto mode, I beleive. I'm not familiar with the Gen 3 but that is how my Gen 2 works. It speeds up to get to the temp you desire and slows down to maintain it. To prevent it you csan take it off Auto and designate the fan speed you want.

    If you bought it from a dealer they should have changed it but some do not. Ask them. There is a schedule within the MF Display where it may have been entered but maybe not. How does the oil look? If it looks like new you might want to give it a couple of thousand mile before changing it this time. If it doesn't look like new I would change it asap.
     
  5. Sabby

    Sabby Active Member

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    You change the oil every 10,000 miles. The car has a distance monitor and will alert you every 5000 miles to go in for service. At 5000 the service is a tire rotation and a few check ups and 10,000 is the same plus an oil change. It is in the manual.

    The fan will decide on the speed when the climate control is set to auto and will vary operation as needed. If you do not like that you can set the fan speed manually.
     
  6. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

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    ^ That is what I was wondering, if it is normal in the Prius or not. I brought it to the dealership a week or so ago and it was snowy out, they said it was probably just snow in the wheel wells? They said they balanced them and it should be "fine" now. But, the past few days here have been very mild, even some rain, no snow for sure, and the car still does it (the vibrations) in the 60mph + area. The wheel doesnt jerk or do anything violent, but it does vibrate up to the wheel. What could be the issue if the dealership has claimed to have balanced the tires?
     
  7. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    If it is troubling I think I would take it to a good tire, or front end alignment shop and explain this to them and ask them if there is anything obvious they can see. Even balancing wheels is not always done right. It should cost less than $50 to do that and may give you more information. The dealer can not always be trusted with your best interest.
     
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  8. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    The problem cited would have been snow on the wheels themselves.
    In answer to your main question, no, vibration at speed is not a known behavior for these cars, particularly when new. Is there another Toyota dealer you can try for a second opinion?
     
  9. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

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    There is not another Toyota dealer for some distance, or at least one that I know is credible. I think I will go back and tell them I am NOT leaving until the issue is resolved, and I will use the Lemon Law if I really have to. I am extremely annoyed that I bought this new car and they have not resolved what seems to me to be such a simple issue. I gave it time, and I waited for the snow to melt away. There was no ice or snow in the wheel wells when I was driving 60+ mph, so I am very skeptical. All I know is they legally have to fix this issue as I have had it since I bought the car.
     
  10. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

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    I have considered going somewhere else but I am not sure to whom? I was thinking Valvoline, they have always been very honest and straight-forward with me, never had any problems with them. But I am not sure if this is their expertise. I just refuse to leave the dealership again until I am 100% sure that my car is not vibrating up to the wheel.