1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Engine Jerking/Stutter Shifting Gears

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by EastR, May 20, 2012.

  1. EastR

    EastR Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    82
    9
    0
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I am having issues with a 2006 Gen II Prius that just approached 120K miles. When going down a hill at approx. 35-40mph, the engine jerks when downshifting or when coasting.

    At 35-40mph on flat ground I will be coasting, and then press the petal softly (to try to pulse and glide) and the engine/car jerks when re-engaging the ICE. This can also happen at low speeds of 10-15mph on flat ground when the engine "hiccups" and then shifts instead of smooth transitions.

    This Prius has always had regular maintenance and oil changes, but I am wondering whether this is the spark plugs? or something in the engine more serious? Thanks folks.
     
    #1 EastR, May 20, 2012
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Not possible, since the Prius does not have shiftable gears and lacks any clutch for disengaging the engine.

    There can be a noticeable shudder when the ICE powers up, which is likely what you are describing.

    Is this a new situation for this car?

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, May 20, 2012
    HeadOfJarg likes this.
  3. EastR

    EastR Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    82
    9
    0
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Exactly. The shudder is more pronounced in the last 3-5K miles and always occurs at specific speeds of about 35-40mph. It could be my bad memory, but the car was a lot smoother in its early days.
     
    #3 EastR, May 21, 2012
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Most benign possibility: dirty throttle body.

    Most malignant possibility: Trans is on its way out.

    Try cleaning the throttle body first.
    Next would be a drain and fill of the transaxle fluid. Catch a sample and send it for analysis. Search here for details on that process.

    It would help if an experienced technician could test drive the car.
     
    #4 seilerts, May 21, 2012
    1 person likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)