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acceleration question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by joeb24, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. joeb24

    joeb24 Junior Member

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    When accelerating moderately from a dead stop, I feel a little shuttering for about a second, and then smooth acceleration. When I press on the pedal gently from a dead stop, I do not get this brief shuttering. I am assuming the shuttering when accelerating modrately is the result of the ICE kicking in suddenly? Any thoughts?
     
    #1 joeb24, Feb 1, 2010
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Correct. At slower acceleration you are running only on MG2 with MG1 spinning backward to keep the ICE stationary. When the ICE needs to start, MG1 has to rapidly change speed to spin the ICE up to starting speed.

    On a brisk start, the Prius immediately fires off the ICE.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Feb 1, 2010
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  3. joeb24

    joeb24 Junior Member

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    Thanks very much. So, apparently, if the Prius needs to fire up the ICE on a brisk start, this is not an entirely smooth, transparent process.
     
    #3 joeb24, Feb 1, 2010
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's fairly smooth. Think about starting the engine in a normal car, then consider what it takes to do it on the fly. That said, I can always tell when the ICE starts and stops on my Gen II Prius.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Feb 1, 2010
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  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    It is not as 'smooth' as electric power.

    Do you notice it all the time or it is occasional?

    How long have you had the car?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #5 bwilson4web, Feb 2, 2010
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  6. joeb24

    joeb24 Junior Member

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    I have had the car about 11/2 months. I drive in ECO mode most of the time. It only happens when I try to accelerate briskly. When I am gentle on the pedal, it accelerates smoothly, but, of course, more slowly.
     
    #6 joeb24, Feb 2, 2010
  7. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I suspect it will smooth out as the car gets some miles on it. My GII is very smooth at it now. Not so when new.
     
    #7 David Beale, Feb 2, 2010
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  8. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    mine does the same thing. I don't think it will get any better as mine has not in over 13,000 miles. But it's not a big deal and i know why it happens. I just think it feels just like a normal car shifting from first to second gear.
     
    #8 adamace1, Feb 2, 2010
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