ZVW30 rough engine starts, the companion

I was so surprised to have a rough running engine, it was more astonishment than anything else. I figured it would come back only it never did and we've had the car since late May 2009. So I was a little surprised to find the thread going strong nearly 18 months later.

A thread is useful but a poll adds 'structure' and allows us to identify the salient points.

Bob Wilson

 

I've had only one time the engine with a rough start, like working on 3cyl only. My Snow White is with us since March 2010.
It was overnight a very short "trip" after dinner, with surely less than 5 min working. Probably a bit choky because not reaching good service/nominal temperature

 

I have had about 6 occurrences over 13 months of ownership, none for the last 6 months or so. Each time has been in the morning after the car was run briefly the evening before.

I don't think it's a problem for me now that I have a good "work around" solution but, being naturally curious, I would like to know the cause.

 

Otto engines are known for possible misfire problems, Atkinson simulated would not be much different. Having noticed that ocurrence, I confess I did not pay much attention, since it is lightly to happen during start-up first moments.

 

I voted "Don't Remember", but on further reflection my voted should be changed to choice #1. The car had been backed out of the garage roughly ten minutes earlier, a maneuver that normally takes just a few seconds longer than the cold car can run in electric mode (true EV not available due to temperature), so the ICE fires up just as I clear the garage door.

Before that, the car sat overnight. I cannot recall if the previous day's trip was a full hot commute, or just a repositioning out and back into the garage.

 

I think the companion poll needs a companion poll regarding temperature. My rough starts (violent shaking (will spill your beer) have occurred in sub-zero (F) temperatures. The shaking persists for several minutes. This phenomena was examined, and filmed, by Toyota engineers at Corwin Toyota in Fargo, ND where more than a dozen 2010 Prius shook violently when started in sub-zero temperatures after sitting for six hours or more. Other ND, MN and Manitoba dealerships reported this problem with new 2010s on their lots. I suppose it's hard to sell a 2010 Prius in cold weather if it shakes violently when started in front of a prospective customer. I have to wonder if it's ethical to sell a car that does this. Probably 90% of the 2010s on the road haven't experienced sub-zero temperatures or, if they have, their cars were in the garage overnight. It doesn't surprise me that many have not experienced this and never will.

 

I don't understand. I had my 10 Prius just for a week but I always use true EV for garage/driveway maneuvering with cold engine. I hit EV before the ICE starts and it's good for up to 10 MPH driving.