Hesitation or jerk when accelerating gently

Is it a jerk or a lurch or just a 'transition' such as when a traditional automatic transmission changes gear?

If it's a big lurch then there's something wrong. If it's just a transition, then it's normal. Maybe in the past you weren't aware of it as much.

Oh, one question. Are you running the car in 'Eco' mode where the green Eco light is lit all the time? If so, then yes the car may be slightly more hesitant. Try running the car in normal mode (the green Eco and/or Power lights are not lit) and see if that helps.

 

My engine starts (as you pointed out occur generally above the ECO line) have been getting more noticeable recently. When the temperature is cooler, even more noticeable. I just got back from the dealer as they have the car overnight. They are applying two T-SBs that will likely improve this situation for me.

In general, a person is going to notice that more and more as time goes on the parts wear. It it gets "bad", take it in and have service look at it. Keep in mind things are often amplified in the Prius because it is so smooth and quite.

 

Yeah but he's only got 3,000 miles on her. I'm upto 65k of hard miles and the transition switching the engine on is as smooth as it's always been.

I do remember when 5w30 oil was used by mistake so time ago that the transition to the engine coming on was a little rougher. Is 5w30 oil being used instead of the prescribed 0w20?

 

The only time I've experienced a very slightly noticable change when the engine cuts in is when I used cheaper supermarket fuel.

 

Sounds like my 2010 Gen. III (25000 mi.)....Almost on a "Regular Basis" when the I.C.E. comes in (light acceleration) , it comes in with a mis/fire; first a couple of cylinders then 3&4.....I don't like it, but........My 2005 Gen.II never did this.....Yes, I've had the I.M. change.....

 

So the question is "Did it do this before the IM was changed?"

 

Wow, with that happening you should a shoe-in for the T-SB (engine mount) for sure. Did you have that one done?

 

Either you guys definitely have a problem or you are much more sensitive to the ICE lighting off than I am. I have 43k miles on my car and still have to depend on my SGII to tell me for sure when the ICE is on or off. My transition is still so smooth that I can barely tell it.

 

Yes.....I was hoping the I.M. change would "Cure" this because as I understand it, the I.M. upgrade was to "Cure" this same problem on a cold start/up (mis/fire & related hammering)....By/The/Way, I never had the "Cold start/up" issue, maybe because I never "Set the stage" for it......

 

Well....the up/grade motor/mount (as I understand it) is to fix a "Droning" noise sometimes on a cold start/up.....Which I don't have......No I've not had it done.....

 

It probably bears repeating, this only happens on "Light acceleration", & the entire process lasts approx. maybe 2-3 secs. .....

 

Seems I feel the same, when cornering at a roudabout exit, and ICE has come in earlier, so it is not related to ICE start at all.

 

The cheapest fuel available is all that my Prius has ever received and she has never complained. Other than price, I don't think there is any significant difference between cheap and expensive gasoline in equivalent octane classes.

 

I own a 2013 Prius and today the stuttering when I give light acceleration was a lot worse. I've noticed when leaving my driveway I'd feel like a small hiccup as I was just pulling out but now it's a series of hiccups as I gain speed. I recieved yet another NEW Recall notice yesterday stating the computer system is being looked into. I'm hoping like hell that's the case for mine since I've already went thru one recall and gotten the fix since I bought this car going on almost 2 years ago. Nothing is lighting up on the dash as an engine fail or anything yet.

 

Miles on your '13 may help zero in on your issue, but the best guess (imo) is that you have carbon blockage in your EGR circuit. This 4-part pathway (intake manifold, EGR pipe, EGR valve and EGR cooler) will need to be taken apart and cleaned with a fair degree of competence. The worst of the blockage will be found within the intake manifold or the EGR cooler, or both. You've actually posted to a thread where this was more than likely the issue, but it goes back to before the problem was widespread or understood. Over the last 3 years or so, there have been countless other threads regarding cold start knock, head gasket failure and P0401 (stuck EGR valve). Through service bulletins, Toyota has thrown an updated intake manifold (which I believe your '13 was built with) for cars suffering cold start knock, and an EGR valve for cars with P0401 check engine light code. But none of this addresses the the EGR cooler (often the worst blockage in the circuit, especially in an oil burner) or prevents recurring symptoms. Toyota has long since moved on from any acknowledgment of the root problem, so it's up to owners to tend to it themselves.

Your new inverter software flash recall will unfortunately not be of any help with your "stutter" and it's highly likely you'll never see any resolution to the problem through a Toyota dealer. A good independent mechanic, who is willing to understand what needs to be done or a fellow Prius enthusiast/DIY person or anyone with DIY/mechanical inclination are your best bet. There are tons of instruction and support from this forum if you choose to move forward in this direction. If you cut/paste your post, give it a title and post it to the "Gen 3 Maintenance & Troubleshooting" forum, you'll likely generate many more responses.

 

I'm having this exact symptom but on a 2016 . Seems to happen more when the car is warm. It includes City and highway speeds. It includes one shake or a series while applying light pressure on the accelerator and disappearing when applying heavy pressure. I would describe it as a stutter, quick shake that can be felt by anyone in the car. I've taken it to a Toyota specialist and they said go to the dealer and gave no information to me , couldn't find the problem. No codes to read.

I heard Gen 4s aren't supposed to have the intake manifold/EGR problems of the Gen 3 or am I understanding this incorrectly?

At this point I have no idea what to do and sounds like the dealer is not the place to go. There are no videos on YouTube of Gen 4s only Gen 3, they all stop at 2015. It as though noone has any problems but me or noone knows the answers.