My car is a 2008 Prius that I got this April with 49k miles. Every time I start the engine and put the shifter in "D" or "R" it kicks. It kicks harder when the car is parked uphill or downhill. Also when the gas engine turns off, the car shakes (sort of like a kick) and then is fine again. Also, when I apply the brakes there is kind of a "whiny" sound. It happens every time I depress the brake pedal and let it go. I am also wondering if I need to change transmission fluid because I already have 62K on the car. Thank you for the info.
Perhaps you're not setting the parking brake? Not doing this, especially on an incline would allow the weight of the transmission to rest on the parking pawl which then clunks, kicks, moves (you choose the word) when you select Drive or Reverse. You might want to apply the Parking Brake first and then select Park when you park up. If this is the cause of your 'kick' then it isn't a Prius problem but something that happens on pretty much all automatic transmissions. The 'whiny' sound could be your brakes needing the pads changing or rusty or glazed brake discs/rotors. It might also be the rear brake drums. Does the sound come from the front or the rear of the car? Regarding changing your transmission fluid - that would depend on the life the car has had in the past. Toyota indicate not changing this until 100k miles but many owners who want to keep the car a long time or use it in heavy traffic often get it changed earlier. Hope you'll enjoy your new ride.
This part is normal. The Prius will move the ICE drive shaft (actually the pistons) to the most efficient position for a quick start next time it comes on. You're feeling the MG rotating the drive shaft. Depending on where it stopped, it may move a little or may move a lot.
What you describe is completely normal. The Prius generates some driving torque to simulate "creep" generated by normal automatic transmissions. It won't do this if you step firmly on the brake, which you should do when shifting into D or R. Firmly is the key. The braking whine comes from regenerative braking, which takes the kinetic energy stored in your moving car and converts it into electricity. The whining comes from the big motor-generator and its associated electronics. Tom
I forgot to say that I am a cabbie in LA for 10 years . Setting the parking break before releasing a break pedal for me is kinda habitual move. I am parking the same way even on a flat road. So the kicking is still hard with the parking breaks applied . I am suspecting if transaxle fluid condition may be the cause.Or something else. Any way thanks again.
Very sense making explanation. I'll try to push harder on break, but the noise will make me worry. Do you know if I can get rid of that sound. Thanx.
Yea, but kick and shake are very hard. I don't think that manufacturer would make this happen. It's like something in there in loose and every time engine stops it gets free and stops by hitting on something. Thanx any way.
Adjust parking brake first to see if it helps to keep the parking brakes intact? Often when the Rear brakes are ''not used'' and what you feel that is a normal parking brake application is actually not. Try this test: apply parking brake as usual and then shift gear to D, try to slightly, I mean really slightly move the car by just enough to create a move by inch. Do this on the parking where is plenty of space to do it. Turn your head left to see a line of your door with the line of the nearest curb or any point that you ''set'' in your head to assess whether line of the body of the car changes its level. Normally you will see how parking brake ''holds'' the rear wheels and the whole rear body of the car should move down as parking brake holds the wheels and rear springs are pressed so you can see how it work. If the car moves at all, then you need rear brakes adjustment/cleaning. And I don't mean spraying it with brakes cleaner, I mean use a small wire brush/ proper sand paper for metal elements and remove all corrosive rust from rear drums, shoes. You would be surprised with the change. As oppose to brakes on conventional cars, Prius brakes get rusted pretty fast and this equal lesser braking application power. This all makes possible your parking brake does not really act as parking brake and allow yours transmission to move even after you think you have set your the parking brake. Agape.
I would replace the transmission/transaxle fluids & the PCV valve, they probably need to be changed if you have 62k on the car. Also have your brakes pads & rotors inspected. Use a good fuel system cleaner & a synthetic SAE 5W-30 oil during the next oil change.
About half the time I let the engine start then put it in drive, I get a clunk and a bit of a lurch as the parking pawl releases, even with the parking brake set and my foot firmly on the brake. It happens closer to every time I do the same but put it in reverse instead of drive. My take is that there must be some force on the parking pawl once the engine starts. When you leave it in drive you can feel a bit of lurching back and forth, like the transaxle can't quite balance the forces across the planetary gearset. Recently I have started putting it in gear before the engine starts. That gets rid of the clunk.
What is the service history of this car? Is it a salvage rebuild? Is there any reason to suspect that engine/transaxle mounts are loose or broken? There is also a damper inside the transaxle that may have some problems.
It is a salvage rebuilt. It was hit on rear right end. How to check if mounts are loose or broken. This was my first idea, but everyone just saying u r OK. Also my car loosing mileage with every fill-up.And numbers on monitor that showing MPG never accurate. My matt says different. TNX
