Rough Transition Gas/Battery/Gas Q50 Hybrid AWD no technology package

2373 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ATLGsofAllSorts, Oct 14, 2013

Salisbury5b

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2013

Hello

I have a Q50 Hybrid AWD with everything but the technology package. I live in Canada. I have had the car for about 5 weeks and have put about 4500 KM on it so far. The first oil change is scheduled for 6500 KM.

I have monitored virtually every thread on this forum since August, 2013. I know that one owner had a problem with rough transitions between gas/battery.

I have had a few relatively minor issues so far, mostly software. The main software complaint I have is the backup lines that do not show up for about 2-3 mins after startup. I hope this will be fixed soon with the software update especially since this is not an issue on the cars with the technology package.

But the most serious issue I have encountered is a rough transition when the car is at rest (at a stop light or in heavy traffic) between gas/battery and battery/gas. It does not matter if I am in standard or ECO mode. The car rumbles and shakes and but for my heavy foot on the brake, the car feels like it would bolt ahead. It happened 2-3 times when I picked up the car at the dealership on day 1 of ownership. The salesman who was demonstrating the car assured me this was normal for a hybrid. Now I am not so sure.

Does anyone else have this issue?

The only other thing that is annoying is the barely audible beeping when I back up. There are no sensors on the bumper of the car so its just an audible sound whenever the car is in reverse which I assume is a normal part of the hybrid. Its not really loud enough to warn anybody, its just annoying frankly. Is there any way to disable this sound.

Thanks.

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selzini

· #2 · Oct 12, 2013

First, the easy one: the back-up warning is normal. It's purpose is to warn those outside the car, where the sound is louder.

As far as the transition from engine to battery and vice versa is concerned, what you are describing is NOT normal. At normal driving speed, there is absolutely no physical indication that the engine has cut off or come back on. When the car is at rest, or just moving a couple of mph(or in your case, kph), there is the slightest "shudder" at the transition, but it does not impact the drivability of the car. If your dealer still insists that your car is normal, try another dealer, if possible, or if that's not possible, you need to contact Infiniti directly.

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InfinitiPlusOne

· #3 · Oct 12, 2013

When you mention rumble and shake, is it pretty bad rumble/shake or is it just a slight jolt?
As for the hybrid sound outside the vehicle, it's call Vehicle Pedestrian Sound (VSP). It's for other people safety, not yours. There is no way to disable it. I believe it is required by law.

Salisbury5b said:
But the most serious issue I have encountered is a rough transition when the car is at rest (at a stop light or in heavy traffic) between gas/battery and battery/gas. It does not matter if I am in standard or ECO mode. The car rumbles and shakes and but for my heavy foot on the brake, the car feels like it would bolt ahead. It happened 2-3 times when I picked up the car at the dealership on day 1 of ownership. The salesman who was demonstrating the car assured me this was normal for a hybrid. Now I am not so sure.

Does anyone else have this issue?

The only other thing that is annoying is the barely audible beeping when I back up. There are no sensors on the bumper of the car so its just an audible sound whenever the car is in reverse which I assume is a normal part of the hybrid. Its not really loud enough to warn anybody, its just annoying frankly. Is there any way to disable this sound.

Thanks.

Save

Salisbury5b

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 12, 2013

Thank you. It's a very noticeable rumble and shake when the car is at rest. it is clearly marking a rough transition between the gas and the battery and vice versa because the RPM goes down to 0 and the EV light goes on, or vice versa when it occurs. I have not noticed any transition whatsoever at any speeds other than rest. But it does not do this at all times when the car is at rest. Just sometimes. Sometimes it happens when the engine is cold. Sometimes when the engine is hot.

I guess a visit to the dealer is in order. Oh well.

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InfinitiPlusOne

· #5 · Oct 12, 2013

Yeah, take it to the dealer if it is very noticeable.

Salisbury5b said:
Thank you. It's a very noticeable rumble and shake when the car is at rest. it is clearly marking a rough transition between the gas and the battery and vice versa because the RPM goes down to 0 and the EV light goes on, or vice versa when it occurs. I have not noticed any transition whatsoever at any speeds other than rest. But it does not do this at all times when the car is at rest. Just sometimes. Sometimes it happens when the engine is cold. Sometimes when the engine is hot.

I guess a visit to the dealer is in order. Oh well.

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Vancity808

· #6 · Oct 13, 2013

where in canada are you located

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Salisbury5b

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 13, 2013

I live in Ottawa.

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ATLGsofAllSorts

· #8 · Oct 14, 2013

I've had the same issue with my hybrid and made an appointment to take it in for a look. I find that even when I have a fully charged battery, the engine will fire up at a stoplight for no apparent reason. And the transition is so rough that a couple of times it has startled me because the car is typically so quiet.

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