I have a 2011 CT200h. When the the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) kicks in, the car jerks once and I can feel a very slight vibration through the steering wheel that doesn't go away until the ICE shuts off. It happens only when the car is not moving or is moving very slowly. The effect disappears completely as the speed increases and doesn't happen when the ICE kicks in at speed.

I just wanted to check if this is normal for this model or I should go to Lexus to have them diagnose the issue, and would appreciate any comments :-).

Side note: I've been reading about the potential EGR cooler issue but there is no characteristic rattling noise. Not saying it's not that though.

Another side note: when I switch into Sports Mode, the tachometer reads around 1,500 RPM which seems a bit on the high side after researching it online. The needle doesn't move up and down however and I don't live in a climate with sub-zero temperatures :-).

Thanks in advance!

 

Yeah normal. It's car doing car things. Or in this case, hybrid doing hybrid things. Cars with engines make noise and shake. The Toyota/Lexus hybrid system is no exception. Just drive and enjoy.

Just make sure you do your maintenance =)

If you still feel unsure, test drive another CT or 3G Prius. They all do this, even brand new off the lot. I know cause I had two brand new off the lot.

 

Yup. Mines pretty rough and louder in stop and go traffic or very slow speeds. Like the car doesn't want to switch to ICE mode but has to, so complains about it lol.

Really annoying at first but getting over it.

If in a parking lot lately I turn on EV mode to avoid it sometimes.

 

Whenever you say “just do your maintenance,” are you referring to EGR maintenance?
If so, I am looking to do it soon but would like some input.
Would you recommend just doing a complete EGR replacement (cooler, pipe, valve, and intake), or just a cleaning?

I would be doing this at the Lexus dealer because there are little shops in my area that know how to do this. Which way do you think would be cheaper, or the more reliable way (since i’m not 100% sure Lexus will clean it to my liking)?

Thinking of either this or just making a 3 hour drive to my neighboring state North Carolina and just letting a hybrid specialist do the work for me for a better price since they know what they are doing.
What is your advice?
Im at 108k on a 2012

looking to do very, very soon as a preventative to the HG issue.

 

Hey Chucksrt. My son was recently gifted one. We're getting used to it. Question though. It seems like there's hardly any acceleration even in Power Mode. I step on the pedal and the engine just makes a lot of noise, but the car has hardly any pick up. These are city streets (Los Angeles), not even the freeway. Feels like an old Nissan CVT - a lot of whirring, but the car hardly moves. Is this normal? Mileage is just barely over 100K.

 

tangierc - you have posted the same question in both the CT200h forum and the HS250h forum. Both times you claim your son was gifted one.
So, which model does he have?
Please stick to the forum for the vehicle for which you seek information. Or was he lucky enough to get gifted 2 vehicles?

They have different engines. I have owned both vehicles.
The CT has the Prius engine and is a slug, but gets great mileage. The HS has the Camry engine and is a little quicker, but still slow compared to many other vehicles.
FYI Power Mode does not make it much faster, it makes the gas pedal more responsive and the battery kick out a little more power. So you press less on the gas to get almost the same end result, but it feels a bit quicker.