Hybrid seems jarring/jolting coming out of EV mode after accelerating while being at a stop sign or light, is this normal?

[subsector2239]

Hi all.

Please excuse my ignorance as this is the first Hybrid I've owned, and I'm not used to or don't know what to expect with this Hybrid system on the 4Runner (especially since it's not for efficiency driving).

I am still in my break in period, I have about 1200 km recorded (approx 750 miles).

I am noticing that when I stop at a red light or stop sign, the car will go into a Hybrid Battery state (EV Mode) during idle where the gas engine semi shuts off (which I think is normal) - but as soon as I press the gas to accelerate or if the gas engine kicks on while stopped, theres like a kind of jolting feeling of engine turning on and the vehicle then goes. The idle feels very smooth on battery as expected, and feels perfectly normal when idling on gas. It's just the transition from battery EV mode to gas when stopped, or accelerating that has the jarring noticable feeling. Is this normal? I'm coming from a gas Rav4, so I don't know even what to expect from a regular hybrid engine.

How much of a jarring / jolt feeling should I be noticing during the transition? I just want to make sure I should be taking in for service or not.

I also sometimes notice when idling long periods like in my driveway, that the vehicle does go into battery EV mode and kicks back into gas (where I can see the RPM meter around 1000), which is a notible feeling, is this just because the vehicle needs to recharge the battery? I've had the AC on so maybe it's that? It does happen without AC on too.

Thanks in advance.

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[anorphirith]

it’s the K0 clutch engaging. i also wrote about it. it seems to get smoother overtime

 

[subsector2239]

it’s the K0 clutch engaging. i also wrote about it. it seems to get smoother overtime

Interesting, just read your post - yours is happening in 4High? I just notice it when in 2WD. It's a bit jarring - I'm getting used to it but yea.... so it's called a K0 clutch? I want to mention this to my Toyota Sales guy to see if there's a known problem. Thanks for your response.

 

[mars001]

it’s the K0 clutch engaging. i also wrote about it. it seems to get smoother overtime

What's a K0 clutch? What does it do?

 

[subsector2239]

What's a K0 clutch? What does it do?

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/ko-clutch.1732149/

I just read up on it here. It must be a bit different on the 4Runner since the hybrid system isn't really for efficiency but for power, so the numbers may be different. I'm not 100% sure though.

 

[anorphirith]

the electric motor is inline with the gasoline one and it’s activated by… a wet clutch instead of a planetary gear like other Toyota hybrids. that decreases manufacturing costs by a lot.

 

[mars001]

the electric motor is inline with the gasoline one and it’s activated by… a wet clutch instead of a planetary gear like other Toyota hybrids. that decreases manufacturing costs by a lot.

Thanks. Now I wonder what's the life expectancy of that wet clutch?

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