Hey everybody, this is my first post on here. I have a question. I just bought a 2008 Prius and have about 150 miles on it so far. Every other Prius or other hybrid I have ever been in have made a very smooth transition when the gas engine engages or disengages. Mine is a little more noticeable and two or three times they've been really rough. Like it was confused. Is this normal during break in or should I take it in to the dealer? Thanks in advance.
Under what conditions does this happen? There seem to be circumstances when the decision to keep the ICE running is marginal. For example: Morning temp in the low 40's, frost on the windshield, defroster running and sitting at a traffic light a few minutes after start. The ICE stumbles as if it can't quite decide to stop or keep running. Turning off the defroster tips the decision and the ICE stops. IMO your situation appears to be normal operation. See if lowering the heat, or raising the ac, or turning off the fan makes a difference.
I noticed the "rough transition" for the first 1000 miles or so. I don't notice it anymore and I have 1600 miles now. Now the only time it seems a little rough is when the car has been off for several hours and I start the car and drive for a few seconds and then have to stop completely for traffic for more than a minute. This happens mostly every day after leaving work unless I am lucky and catch a traffic break while trying to cross over four lanes of traffic to turn left. I never notice the roughness the rest of the stop and go sometime hour long trip home. Hope this will ease your mind. Enjoy your new ride. And I tell everyone here that has a new Prius...get some hood protection. You will thank yourself later.
When new, mine did that for the first 3,000 km or so. Then is smoothed out. Now, the only time I even notice it is in very cold winter city driving
This is my first Post. I have had a 2008 Prius for six weeks and have about 800 miles on it. I am averaging about 44-45 mph in mixed driving. I love the the car. The only time I " feel " the engine stop is sometimes at a red light and it is just a one or two revolution stumble. There are so many variables that can cause your symptoms. If it continues have a service rep drive with you and then drive one of their demo's with the rep. If the demo is much better tell them to make yours run like the demo. If you are using really cheap gas or gas/ethonal this could be a problem. Good Luck
This is my first Post. I have had a 2008 Prius for six weeks and have about 800 miles on it. I am averaging about 44-45 mph in mixed driving. I love the the car. The only time I " feel " the engine stop is sometimes at a red light and it is just a one or two revolution stumble. There are so many variable that can cause your symptoms. If it continues have a service rep drive with you and then drive one of their demo's with the rep. If the demo is much better tell them to make yours run like the demo. If you are using really cheap gas or gas/ethonal this could be a problem. Good Luck
Congrats and welcome to PC ss02chase. When the gas engine (ICE or internal combustion engine) shuts down, it attempts to place the pistons in a position for optimal efficiency upon restart. If it misses the position on the first attempt it will spin them again until it gets it right. This accounts for the sometimes rough-feeling shutdown some people experience. This seems to be worse when the car is new and/or the weather is cold. Another thing that I got used to was the slight rock forward when the ICE first starts up. Since the transmission is always engaged, even while in park, you can sometimes feel it. I notice it most when I first start the car in the morning. These are just a couple of the idiosyncrasies that make the Prius a unique vehicle. It just takes a little getting used to. (At least it did for me). I found John1701a's user guide immensely helpful when I first got my car. I think you will too. Happy driving! John's Stuff - Toyota Prius User-Guide
