Newb-'15 - What noises/sensations are normal?

[Smurphy118]

Hi, Just bought a '15 with 41k miles. Love it so far, got 46.5 mpg on first trip (190 miles). I have noticed that after start up, the car drives a bit louder than it does later on. I am guessing this is just warming up, but was curious as to what noises or sensations are normal in the vehicle that a first time hybrid owner may not be familiar with. Thanks in advance.

[murphy]

The hybrid has an Atkinson cycle engine instead of the more common Otto cycle engine. It will not sound like an engine that you are used to. The intake valve timing results in blow back into the intake manifold during part of the exhaust cycle. There is a resonator to minimize the sound from that but it isn't perfect.

 

There is no correlation between engine rpm and vehicle speed. The computer controls the engine to maximize efficiency and adjusts the ratio between the engine and electric motor to get the speed requested by the accelerator pedal. The accelerator is electrically connected to the computer. It is not connected to the engine. There is no starter motor or alternator in the car. The engine is started by one of the high voltage electric motors. The 12 volt battery is charged by a DC to DC converter that is connected to the High Voltage Battery (HVB)..

 

It is physically impossible for the engine to move the car in reverse. Only the electric motor can move the car in reverse.

 

Does it have push button start? If it does have you found the mechanical key to unlock the driver's door if the car is locked and the 12 volt battery is dead?

Have you found the 12 volt battery jumper terminals under the hood? The battery is in the trunk.

[mwr]

Hi, Just bought a '15 with 41k miles. Love it so far, got 46.5 mpg on first trip (190 miles). I have noticed that after start up, the car drives a bit louder than it does later on. I am guessing this is just warming up, but was curious as to what noises or sensations are normal in the vehicle that a first time hybrid owner may not be familiar with. Thanks in advance.

What you are probably hearing is the gas engine (ICE) running continuously until it warms up to operating temperature, which can take a few minutes after the first start of the day. I'll add that my 2015 FFH (which I bought new) has 55K trouble-free miles. Enjoy!

Edited August 20, 2018 by mwr

[Larry Twitchell]

The hybrid has an Atkinson cycle engine instead of the more common Otto cycle engine. It will not sound like an engine that you are used to. The intake valve timing results in blow back into the intake manifold during part of the exhaust cycle. There is a resonator to minimize the sound from that but it isn't perfect.

 

There is no correlation between engine rpm and vehicle speed. The computer controls the engine to maximize efficiency and adjusts the ratio between the engine and electric motor to get the speed requested by the accelerator pedal. The accelerator is electrically connected to the computer. It is not connected to the engine. There is no starter motor or alternator in the car. The engine is started by one of the high voltage electric motors. The 12 volt battery is charged by a DC to DC converter that is connected to the High Voltage Battery (HVB)..

 

It is physically impossible for the engine to move the car in reverse. Only the electric motor can move the car in reverse.

 

Does it have push button start? If it does have you found the mechanical key to unlock the driver's door if the car is locked and the 12 volt battery is dead?

Have you found the 12 volt battery jumper terminals under the hood? The battery is in the trunk.

An interesting response. I did not know that the engine can not move the car in reverse. Thanks for posting.

[Larry Twitchell]

Hi, Just bought a '15 with 41k miles. Love it so far, got 46.5 mpg on first trip (190 miles). I have noticed that after start up, the car drives a bit louder than it does later on. I am guessing this is just warming up, but was curious as to what noises or sensations are normal in the vehicle that a first time hybrid owner may not be familiar with. Thanks in advance.

My ‘15 also has 41k. Those are trouble free and very enjoyable miles. I hope you enjoy yours as much as so many posters here have and find it a fascinating car to have.

[Texasota]

An interesting response. I did not know that the engine can not move the car in reverse. Thanks for posting.

But it does provide the power to move the car in reverse. If you went on a 10 mile drive and drove only in reverse the ICE will run to keep the high voltage battery charged during that ten mile drive. This is speculation on my part and someone will correct me if this is not correct.

[murphy]

But it does provide the power to move the car in reverse. If you went on a 10 mile drive and drove only in reverse the ICE will run to keep the high voltage battery charged during that ten mile drive. This is speculation on my part and someone will correct me if this is not correct.

You are correct. To say it more clearly, there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels to provide reverse. All the reverse selection does is reverse the field rotation of the AC electric motor.

 

That's going to be a tough drive in reverse since I think the maximum speed in reverse is 15 mph.

[klatoo]

The A/C system make a different noise than one is accustomed to as well. You are in Jersey so I image you dont run it as much as I do here in Tennessee but it makes a higher pitch noise (okay, not engine related, but noise none the less).

 

Had no idea about reverse...cool tidbit of info there.

[Cobra348]

Late to the game here ...

 

A sensation you *may* have is a really small lurch feeling when the ICE kicks in on the road (shift from electric drive to hybrid). This is normal. In some instances I have also felt it when the drive goes back to all-electric. Now, I mean this is REALLY a small sensation and more in the butt-dyno than in any gauge or indicator.

 

Before the car in my sig, I had a '15 FFH. That car was my first hybrid of any kind and I had a lot of fun with it. The current one is just as much a treat.

[usererror]

I bought my 2015 new and aside from minor creeks and squeaks from interior trim pieces I haven't heard or noticed any changes in engine noises and I'm just about to cross 60,000 miles. There are a few times a month where I feel the ICE kick on or off a little 'rougher' but that's because most of the time I really don't notice it.