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Poll: Shudder/Vibration on acceration.

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by PPPrrrius, Jul 24, 2012.

?

Is there a shudder when the ICE engages during acceleration from a complete stop?

  1. Yes, there is a pronounced vibration/shudder/clunk felt through the pedal.

    3 vote(s)
    23.1%

  2. Yes, but it's barely noticeable

    5 vote(s)
    38.5%

  3. Nope, acceleration is buttery smooth like an electric golf cart.

    5 vote(s)
    38.5%
  1. PPPrrrius

    PPPrrrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The Prius v I took delivery of has a slight shudder/vibration that I did not notice during the test drive of other Prius v's. Sometimes it is slight, sometimes it's a clunk almost as pronounced as a geared auto transmission shift. But it always happens the moment the EV light goes off and the ICE is engaged (< 7-10 mph).

    I wanted to gauge members to see if this is a normal phenom, because some have told me that the Prius has one of the smoothest take offs of any car.

    Thanks in advance for your responses.
    .
     
    #1 PPPrrrius, Jul 24, 2012
  2. n0na

    n0na Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    88
    13
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    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Take your concerns to your dealer. There's a noticeable shudder when the ICE engages, but it shouldn't be as bad as you imply.
     
    #2 n0na, Jul 25, 2012
  3. prius.v.three

    prius.v.three Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2012
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    Location:
    HI
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If I accelerate fast enough for the ICE to turn on at 7-10 mph, then I feel the shudder, but there is no "clunk".
     
    #3 prius.v.three, Jul 25, 2012
  4. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
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    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I can always tell when my ICE fires off when taking off from a start. There is a definite change from the smoothness of the electric motor up to about 15 mph to the ICE firing off. I would not call it buttery smooth like a golf cart but it is not a vibration, shudder or clunk as you describe either. It is just a transition from electric to ICE. It is still very smooth.

    If you are not being overly dramatic with your observations I would take it to the dealer and test drive another Prius v to compare.
     
    #4 jdcollins5, Jul 25, 2012
  5. Hankth

    Hankth Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    You may want to try the ECO mode and being a little smoother or gradual with your foot on the gas pedal. I think this car does not like heavy-handed treatment. Just a thought.
     
    #5 Hankth, Jul 26, 2012
  6. mudmanrv

    mudmanrv Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    176
    17
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    Location:
    NE Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    As long as the ICE is not misfiring or anything of that nature - the dealer will likely drive it with or without you - maybe check for trouble codes to help you sleep better at night, and then liekly tell you - "it's within normal parameters"

    The hard you accell the more pronounced it is ... there are times where I literally cannot feel it transition, and then there are times it's quite noticeable. Keep in mind that there is no torque converter (fluid coupling) to dampen vibration. so like a car with a manual transmission and clutch you will feel those "bumps" as engine rpm changes, or you go from coasting to load, load to coasting, etc.
     
    #6 mudmanrv, Jul 26, 2012
  7. PPPrrrius

    PPPrrrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2012
    14
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    This is my thought. From the responses it appears that this is normal. The transition has admittedly been less noticeable since this poll was posted, probably just getting used to it . In all honesty I'd be surprised if I was not able to feel the transition, but that is how some owners had described it to me before.
     
    #7 PPPrrrius, Jul 26, 2012
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