[adamtraidman]

Just got my #9 2004 a week ago. I'm curious if everyone experiences the slight tremor / vibration when the ICE starts up and shuts down. How much vibration is typical? I know it's a rather subjective measurement, but sometimes I notice the care shakes a bit when stopped at a light and the ICE presumably is turned off.

Adam

 

[bradca21]

Mine does it. I've noticed talk on this board in the past about it too... You can feel it but it isn't huge... Think about how much a regular ICE shakes at ignition though... I'm sure the Prius barely compares...

 

[Ray Moore]

at shutdown the ICE stops itself at the best place for a smooth restart. That adjustment is what you are feeling.

 

[grebe]

I've grown to love that feeling (of the engine switching off, of course). It's like a comfort blanket - so soothing...

It's really not tooooo much different than a "normal" car shifting gears. Yeah, seems to me that's just the normal workings of the car.

 

[artman67]

This is somthing I have been wondering about as well
I figured my old car did this as well but I expected it ( thus didnt notice it ) as I had just turned off the key

Test I haven't tried yet
Sit in the passengers seat of a "regular car" with your eyes closed and have the driver quietly turn the engine off
Do you feal it as much as the prius

 

[Joel]

This is inherent to all 4 cylinder engines - not naturally balanced like a straight six.

Just got my #9 2004 a week ago. I'm curious if everyone experiences the slight tremor / vibration when the ICE starts up and shuts down. How much vibration is typical? I know it's a rather subjective measurement, but sometimes I notice the care shakes a bit when stopped at a light and the ICE presumably is turned off.

Adam

 

[john1701a]

It will be noticably smoother after break-in is complete.

I was a bit suprised myself when I switched from a 2001 Prius with 60,000 miles it to a brand new 2004. But then around 7,000 miles or so, the feeling had faded to a more mild sensation.

 

[adamtraidman]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Noticed something strange today. I was stopped at a light, and the ICE was still cold, as I'd just started driving. Sitting at the light, no arrows were active on the screen, however, I felt the car "shaking" a bit. Not sure if the ICE can be running without any arrows on screen, I'm guessing not. Very strange behavior, but it seems to go away after the car heats up a bit.

Adam

 

[JPeterman]

I get the same thing. The ICE runs at stoplights (a bit) with no arrows on the display. Only during warm-up though. I assume it's one of the low emission features.

 

[V8Cobrakid]

I've always felt this but didn't understand it...

I though it was simply the engine shutting off or starting up... but.. this engine is spinning before fuel is added... i would understand it turning off to shake. Most engines do that. Seeing i have a 4 cylinder in my 318I BMW (anyone want it? i'm selling it) that acts the same way when started or stopping, i was simply convinced it was that.

But, i never heard about the explenation of the engine being rotated for an easy start for next time. Not the electric motor turning it before it adds fuel.. but after the engine cuts... sometimes it shudders a bit... but why should it shudder? it's off already. Well, today when i stopped in my driveway, i felt the engine stop.. then i felt it basically rotate to a good starting position. I'm guessing it turns it so the firing will start at 1 on the spark plugs. I would think this to be the easiest position to start the engine at.

May sounds strange.. well.. it is.. but 'im tired.. and still trying to figure it out.

I wish i could get more techincal info on my prius without paying a fee. I know about the 10 dollars a day on the toyota page.

 

[Ray Moore]

Sorry I can't send a link on the stopping at a certain spot characteristic but I trust my internal filter to have weeded out anything that was not documented at the time I read it. The engine turns prior to fuel and spark being added so it is not a firing position that it is seeking but something else related to ease of initial spin-up. If I come across it again I will repost to this thread.