Car is a bit jerky uphill at low speed

If you accelerate slow enough, you can notice the engine startup.

Acceleration using only electricity at first isn't the most efficient use of that battery though, so the informed owners tend to avoid that by being more generous with the pedal. After all, excess engine power is used to recharge and its the overall use that counts anyway. A brief firing up of the engine to get up to speed then have it shut off sooner can actually use less gas in the end.
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Do you use the hill-holder feature on the brake pedal?

 

It's the ICE starting.

 

It's the hamsters falling backward in the wheel. This is more noticeable with the 2010 because it has two hamsters in the squirrel cage, where the Gen II Prius only has one.

Tom

 

I've upgraded my G3 with three after market rabid gerbils.

 

I have a 05’ with 157000 miles. As I accelerate, the car starts moving in electric mode until it reaches 14 mph. Then I noticed the engine starts up and at a low acceleration the feels like it is slipping. But if I press on the accelerator harder it speeds up fine. It is only jerky when press the accelerator slightly. The check engine light lit up once and turn off quickly Has anybody had this happen to you? And what was the cause.

 

I've felt and described a low-speed (in electric mode only) vibration at the very start of motion (somewhere between 0 and 1 mph)...No one has clearly commented on either the cause or whether it is a problem to which any attention need be paid. I liken it to traveling over the "vibration ridges" on the highway shoulder, but not nearly so severe.

 

I have noticed smoother acceleration (less abrupt engagements) ever since I had a transaxle drain and refill done at 15k.

 

Yep, it's the poles and permanent magnets in the electric motor. You can feel it better on a steep hill when starting to move. (If you've never noticed it.) Totally normal and all Gen 3 cars I have been in do it. First time I noticed it was on a steep parking ramp -- was worried at first. If you know how it feels you can feel it on every start, even on flat roads. Have driven several other Gen 3 cars and they all feel exactly the same way.

It comes from MG2 at speeds just above 0 RPM. (In forward or reverse)

On a steep hill, you can actually get right into the sweet spot and hold it at that speed and it'll keep doing it. On flat ground it's harder because as soon as you apply power the motor spins past the particular RPM and smooth out.

 

Yes! That is my observation exactly. Once you "find" it, it's alarmingly 'obvious' - even if it is a bit elusive...

 

I just made another post I believe about the same issue, sorry, did not see this one first. I noticed the same vibration at very low speed in electric mode just a few days ago, my Prius has only 700 miles on it, and I was very alarmed. It felt like something is slightly lose inside the transmission, and it only happens between 0 and 2 mph. Being so quiet, it is a lot easier to notice very faint sounds and vibrations in Prius than in any other car. I can ride the brakes and make it do it longer, and I was ready to take it to the dealer, now I am glad I found this thread.