RX 450h CVT Fluttering
10-03-17, 02:29 AM
#16
Pole Position
Glad for you but does not help me. Mine was silky smooth also, that's why I like hybrids - no shifting points. But somewhere around 80 000 miles it started being more and more noticeable. Like I said, hell of annoying. And to make things worse, exactly when you get best mpg - rolling with ICE turned off. So you either have to shift into neutral, or accelerate or touch brakes. On a regular car I'd have diagnosed it long ago but here, because ICE turns off, it's a guesswork.
10-03-17, 08:10 PM
#17
94 000. I actually do not have Lexus hybrid. We have 2011 RX350. I have 2012 Highlander Hybrid which is basically RX hybrid clone. Same power train. Same underpinning, only difference I know is shocks vs struts in the rear. Likely because I have more cargo area in the rear, car is longer.
We have another Highlander Hybrid owner with same problem as mine. He swears it's identical. He took his to dealer and they "could not find anything wrong".
Thing is, to show itself, you have to have car warmed up well. Then you have to drive somewhere where you can roll easily at around 30mph. For a tech at the shop that is rather hard to scope with say a scanner. Got to go out in the car.
We have another Highlander Hybrid owner with same problem as mine. He swears it's identical. He took his to dealer and they "could not find anything wrong".
Thing is, to show itself, you have to have car warmed up well. Then you have to drive somewhere where you can roll easily at around 30mph. For a tech at the shop that is rather hard to scope with say a scanner. Got to go out in the car.
10-09-17, 07:45 PM
#19
I'd say, after about 100 plus miles today, it is likely gone. Of course, I am all ears now and tensely listening to any jerks, what is plenty around from roads. If it's still there, it is very minute. I'll still replace driver side drive axle, as it has more looseness in it as compared to the passenger side one.
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ggebhardt (10-18-17)
09-28-18, 08:36 AM
#20
Racer
Thread Starter
Did you ever get an answer to this issue? I just hit 21,000 miles & I was picking up a new bed with my trailer & I noticed a really strong flutter/vibration on harder acceleration. It’s more of a engagement/disengagement feeling vs. up & down. It went away whenever I let off the accelerator & I don’t notice it at speeds lower than 40 mph. I’m wondering if I have a transmission problem developing.
09-28-18, 07:29 PM
#21
In my case, I think that the flutter is caused when I drive over a particular nearby road segment that is built over an abandoned mine and has a strong magnetic field that may be interacting with the steel-belted radials tires. I came to this conclusion after noticing that the flutter only occurs in this spot and learning from others that the road was built over a former mine with a high magnetic field.
09-28-18, 07:36 PM
#22
Racer
Thread Starter
In my case, I think that the flutter is caused when I drive over a particular nearby road segment that is built over an abandoned mine and has a strong magnetic field that may be interacting with the steel-belted radials tires. I came to this conclusion after noticing that the flutter only occurs in this spot and learning from others that the road was built over a former mine with a high magnetic field.
11-01-18, 04:03 PM
#23
THAT would be a world-class magnetic field. Unless there's an MRI machine buried inches below the surface I suspect it's something else.
Some comments referencing the electric motor "shutting down." To my knowledge that doesn't happen. For example, there are times when my traction battery is completely filled up and the computer decides to bleed it down a bit to perhaps 80% by running the electric motor in addition to the ICE. You can see it happening on the graphic screen when it happens. The "CVT" (more like a differential in operation) couldn't care less and combines the power of both to drive the wheels.
Some comments referencing the electric motor "shutting down." To my knowledge that doesn't happen. For example, there are times when my traction battery is completely filled up and the computer decides to bleed it down a bit to perhaps 80% by running the electric motor in addition to the ICE. You can see it happening on the graphic screen when it happens. The "CVT" (more like a differential in operation) couldn't care less and combines the power of both to drive the wheels.
11-03-18, 12:41 PM
#24
Huh... Old thread...
I actually sold my Highlander Hybrid. 90% of the reason was that "flutter". I replaced tires, struts, all engine mounts. Nothing worked. No, I am not taking car to dealer to hear "not observed" or "nothing wrong" and pay them $200 for that.
No magnetic fields in my case and it's a far fetched theory.... Mine did it any time after getting well warmed up and rolling with ICE off, between 25-40 mph. Feeling was exactly like skipping clutch or clutch bands in automatic - jerks back>for, like as if it wants to accelerate/quits that/accelerate/quit it. Very noticeable and very annoying.
It's gone. With the car.
I actually sold my Highlander Hybrid. 90% of the reason was that "flutter". I replaced tires, struts, all engine mounts. Nothing worked. No, I am not taking car to dealer to hear "not observed" or "nothing wrong" and pay them $200 for that.
No magnetic fields in my case and it's a far fetched theory.... Mine did it any time after getting well warmed up and rolling with ICE off, between 25-40 mph. Feeling was exactly like skipping clutch or clutch bands in automatic - jerks back>for, like as if it wants to accelerate/quits that/accelerate/quit it. Very noticeable and very annoying.
It's gone. With the car.
11-04-18, 03:20 PM
#25
THAT would be a world-class magnetic field. Unless there's an MRI machine buried inches below the surface I suspect it's something else.
Some comments referencing the electric motor "shutting down." To my knowledge that doesn't happen. For example, there are times when my traction battery is completely filled up and the computer decides to bleed it down a bit to perhaps 80% by running the electric motor in addition to the ICE. You can see it happening on the graphic screen when it happens. The "CVT" (more like a differential in operation) couldn't care less and combines the power of both to drive the wheels.
Some comments referencing the electric motor "shutting down." To my knowledge that doesn't happen. For example, there are times when my traction battery is completely filled up and the computer decides to bleed it down a bit to perhaps 80% by running the electric motor in addition to the ICE. You can see it happening on the graphic screen when it happens. The "CVT" (more like a differential in operation) couldn't care less and combines the power of both to drive the wheels.
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