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Just purchased my 1st Prius!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by larryt1026, Jul 22, 2013.

  1. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Hello,

    Just purchased my first Prius. Used 2010 Prius III, with only 5k miles!

    A couple of questions/concerns as this is my first Prius, electric car:
    1. Slight shudder/vibration when the gas engine starts up under acceleration. I've read that it is normal in this forum. Just wanted to confirm.
    2. Vibration when reversing uphill using electric. Seemed like the car is under heavy load..makes sense.
    3. When I turn the car on, and after 15 seconds or so the gas engine turns on, the gas engine would sometimes start charging the battery (according to the diagram) even when I am still idling and in Park. Normal?
    4. Kind of unrelated, but first time the gf drove it, she took the back passenger side wheel up a curb as she was slowly pulling out of the parking spot. Seems to drive fine...should be no frame damage, right?

    Sorry for all the questions and I'm glad to be part of the Prius family!
     
    #1 larryt1026, Jul 22, 2013
  2. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    I don't see anything of concern. Relax, drive, ride, and enjoy the technology and fuel savings. Man, what a find, a 3 year old car with only 5k miles, Congrats!!!!
     
    #2 SteveLee, Jul 22, 2013
    larryt1026 likes this.
  3. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Thanks Steve! I am loving it so far. It is a steal to have such low miles! But it does need a good amount of body work (lots of swirl marks, some deeper scratches, some scuff marks and some rock dings). An elderly lady owned it before and I suspect that she had played bumper car with the Prius at low speeds. I have a detailer coming tomorrow so hopefully he can buff everything out.
     
    #3 larryt1026, Jul 22, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! that is a great deal, all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 22, 2013
    Ariel1000 likes this.
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Hit the curb. I would get a all wheel alignment at some point.

    Nice job on the car ! Congrats
     
    #5 JMD, Jul 22, 2013
  6. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    thanks everyone! I was showing the car off to a co-worker today and he loved it as well. however, he pointed out that the battery was draining relatively fast while we were sitting in there with the car idling in park. Only the electric engine was on (gas engine turns off after 30 seconds or s0) and with a/c and music on I think I lost about 2 bars in about 5-10 minutes. Is that normal? Haha I'm so anal about it, it's unreal. New technology for me...what can I say.
     
    #6 larryt1026, Jul 22, 2013
  7. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Normal. AC runs off traction battery. When battery gets low enough the engine comes on to charge the battery.
     
    #7 JMD, Jul 22, 2013
    SteveLee likes this.
  8. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Yep, what JMD said. (y)

    Now you've touched on an important point. Whenever you are running any accessories, make sure it is in the Ready state. That way the engine will start and recharge the battery as needed. Otherwise, the battery will drain and the 12V will likely be damaged and be closer to needing replacement. It has been reported a number of times that a Prius goes into a shop for work, the mechanic plays the radio while not in the Ready mode, and the battery is drained and damaged. As car batteries go, the Prius 12V is smaller and somewhat fragile.

    I sometimes go for several hours at a time parked with accessories on in Ready mode while riding a ferry. But the system is doing what it is suppose to be doing, running things with the battery and keeping the battery charged, whether it is moving or sitting still, as long as the system is allowed to be in Ready mode.
     
    #8 SteveLee, Jul 22, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  9. w1n78

    w1n78 Junior Member

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    congrats on the new ride. i notice my battery drains faster in the summer compared to the winter. i don't read the manual though so it may be normal. we love our prius and i'm sure you will too.
     
    #9 w1n78, Jul 23, 2013
  10. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    hi all! still loving it so far. so much so I got the car paint corrected! it was actually in pretty bad shape.

    also, as I continue to drive it, I still cannot get over the shudder/vibration from the whole vehicle whenever the gas engine is being used. It happens I would say 80% of the time. I was reading a lot of threads and I am wondering could I have the wrong oil in the gas engine? thanks!
     
    #10 larryt1026, Jul 31, 2013
  11. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Normal also. The engine is revving at a high RPM to charge the battery. I was suprised by this also. My car was in park and bam the engine is revving my wife said is sounds like a airplane about to go down the runway
     
    #11 JMD, Jul 31, 2013
  12. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the response! I understand the noise, but I can feel my whole car shudder whenever my gas engine starts up..whenever I am accelerating. It's weird because I do not feel it when it turns on while idling/park and charging the battery. Only when it is used to power the wheel.
     
    #12 larryt1026, Jul 31, 2013
  13. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    You will start to notice other noises as well. Sounds of pops , fans blowing and fluid moving around.
     
    #13 JMD, Jul 31, 2013
  14. Delta Flyer II

    Delta Flyer II Active Member

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    Congrats! Welcome the PriusChat Community and the Prius family!

    Tell the gf no more curb hopping, its not an SUV lol... but noises you will get use to them and know that the car its taking care of itself...

    When I first got mine, I was constantly paranoid... "What's that", What's this, what's that, why is making that sound is that normal.. It take some getting use to...
     
    #14 Delta Flyer II, Aug 17, 2013
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