Looking at FFH

[chris109]

Have been looking at a 2010 FFH. Took it out for a test drive a couple of times. From a dead stop, there is a rumbling noise from the engine area for a second or two and then goes away. Does not happen if slowing down to almost dead stop and continuing on as if at a red light that just turned green. Dealer told me it is normal. Just the gas engine going over to electric. (I take dealer comments with a grain of sea salt.) I did drive a 2013 FFH rental last month for 10 days and did not notice it (wasn't really paying attention either since it was a rental). Normal sound?

[murphy]

The car has an Atkinson cycle engine. It does not sound the same as the standard Otto cycle engine.

 

Also there is no connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle plate.

 

It's true drive by wire. The accelerator pedal tells the computer how much "go" you want. The computer decides what the optimum engine RPM is. There is no correlation between the sound of the engine and the highway speed.

[lolder]

Have been looking at a 2010 FFH. Took it out for a test drive a couple of times. From a dead stop, there is a rumbling noise from the engine area for a second or two and then goes away. Does not happen if slowing down to almost dead stop and continuing on as if at a red light that just turned green. Dealer told me it is normal. Just the gas engine going over to electric. (I take dealer comments with a grain of sea salt.) I did drive a 2013 FFH rental last month for 10 days and did not notice it (wasn't really paying attention either since it was a rental). Normal sound?

No. There might be a barely noticeable instantaneous shudder when the engine starts but nothing that lasts for a second. The engine sound might be a little louder in the 2010 with higher power demands but that's all.

[djminfll]

My rule of thumb, whether getting a used car from a dealer or from a private party is to have an independent mechanic check it out before you buy it. It will be a little harder to find a mechanic with expertise in Hybrid systems, but it would be worth the effort. Also, what kind of warranty is on the car? I'm not sure if that noise is normal or not, but if there is something wrong, it can probably be repaired, the question is, who is going to pay for the repair?

[chris109]

It's considered a Ford Certified Pre-Owned. Warranty is 12/12k. Dealer bought it from another dealer at auction. Been sitting on this dealer's lot since Augut 2013. Has 62k on it. My own mechanic, who is not an 'expert' in hybrids (had to call NYS on how to do an inspection on hybrids when the car is not 'running' when he hooks it up to do emissions test) says it makes sense in what the dealer said. I guess I could try to find another 2010 to test drive to see if it does it also.

Edited March 23, 2014 by chris109

[lolder]

An emissions test is the least important used car test as the cars test themselves all the time. Don't buy this car until you drive another 2010-12 to compare. This car sat on the lot a long time and if the dealer didn't run the car regularly the high voltage battery could be damaged. These cars are very quiet and smooth and little vibration should be presnt when transitioning back and forth to EV. There is a little "growl" noise from the engine at middle to high power settings but it is smooth.

[inco]

Chris if you are intent on buying this car I would make sure you are able to get some extended warranty from the dealer. With the car having sat for so long I would worry - like why has it not sold by now? All that time being idle, without being driven on a regular basis, would have me concerned about the state of the battery. Maybe that is something you can also negotiate. Bottom line, no matter how good the price you pay, the first time something goes wrong, you will know you should have paid more! ;(

[acdii]

I wouldn't worry too much about the HVB and sitting. The 2010 I had sat in a garage for 9 months not being driven, or even started until I bought it. The only problem it did have was a spider made a nest in the MAP sensor and it had to be replaced. As for the noise you heard, it could be normal, question is, did you feel anything? You could have just heard the pumping of the ICE as it spins up before starting. If you feel something, walk away.