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Cooler temps now, ICE jerks or lurches when starting

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016.

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  1. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    So this is my first Prius, and now it's getting cooler here in MN. Occasionally when I start the car after it has been sitting for a few hours there is a 3-5 second pause, the ICE starts, and when it does the car feels like it's jerking forward. Still in park, but a definite "not so smooth" engine start up compared to previous warm-weather starts.

    Is this normal?
     
    #1 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
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  2. Phatlife

    Phatlife Member

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    #2 Phatlife, Oct 29, 2016
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I've noticed that when the ICE is cold, sometimes it's first start can be less smooth than when running warmed up.
     
    #3 alanclarkeau, Oct 29, 2016
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  4. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    #4 pakitt, Oct 29, 2016
  5. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    Ok, well if it's normal I guess that's ok.....Any benefit in letting it run for any amount of time before driving?
     
    #5 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    normal. i like 10 or 15 seconds to get the oil flowing before putting much load on it. but i don't know if it's beneficial or not.
    one thing i like about the pip is, i can get the car up to 15 or 20 mph on ev and hit the hv button. it's much smoother with the car moving for some reason.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 29, 2016
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  7. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    Colder air temp requires richer fuel mixtures means richer charge that will yield higher rpms !
     
    #7 Toppcat, Oct 29, 2016
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  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No, I almost always start in EV anyway. Most manufacturers have suggested not idling to warm up for quite a few years now.
     
    #8 alanclarkeau, Oct 29, 2016
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  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Not sure that applies to the G4 Prius though, Al
     
    #9 RCO, Oct 29, 2016
  10. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    I run in EV mode exclusively. Didn't make a difference as far as the sudden jerk in the ICE. As soon as the temps dropped below 55 degrees here (approx) it started.
     
    #10 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
  11. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Mine has lurched/jerked at start-up, too. And it's 70 degrees in the morning. Another Prius Oddity to add to my growing list.

    How do you run in EV mode exclusively? I thought that's for only when you're backing out of the driveway, or moving slowly through a parking lot.
     
    #11 Coast Cruiser, Oct 29, 2016
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  12. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    Not sure what you mean?

    Are you asking how, or why? I have it set to EV and just leave it there. My work commute is less than 1 mile on 30mph roads.
     
    #12 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
  13. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Just curious. Never heard of anyone running in EV exclusively.
     
    #13 Coast Cruiser, Oct 29, 2016
  14. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    Not saying that I'm doing it right, but I figure if 90% of the time I don't get above 25 mph....why not?

    That said I'm averaging a meager 60.4 mpg over the last 4 months, so maybe I need to change it up?
     
    #14 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Consider the block heater? Especially being in Minnesota.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Oct 29, 2016
  16. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    I've thought about it. But I have heated parking at my apartment, and a remote starter installed.
     
    #16 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
  17. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I don't know man, I'm just a rookie with my first Prius. :ROFLMAO: When do you give the ICE some exercise?
    I'm sure one of the more experience veterans will chime in here.
     
    #17 Coast Cruiser, Oct 29, 2016
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you getting to work and back without the engine coming on?
     
    #18 bisco, Oct 29, 2016
  19. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    LOL, well as you may or may have not seen my "nearly towed" thread, I do get it on the freeway now and again :p

    It depends on the state of the charge. About 50% of the time I can do it without the ICE....well, I could when the weather was above 70
     
    #19 ssdesigner, Oct 29, 2016
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's pretty good. it might not hurt mpg's much in your situation. i hate to say it, but with your commute, you would have been a 'prime' candidate.:cool:
     
    #20 bisco, Oct 29, 2016
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