question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

hey guy/gals!

i just bought my used altima hybrid w/ tech package today (43K miles) and I LOVE IT! i am COMPLETELY new to hybrids, i've only owned standard economy cars in my lifetime, so this is my first semi-luxorious car and definitely my first hybrid. one question: i noticed when i first shift the car into gear, or when i am idling, the engine will sputter/stutter for a sec. sometimes (of course it didn't do this when i test-drove). is this normal for everyone? maybe it has to do with the battery/gas control? maybe i'm hitting the gas to fast? i have no idea. i've experienced similar sputtering in my old cars but usually it was a bad thing...

please advise if i should take this bad boy in since i have a warranty or if this is normal behavior.

THANKS!

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

Does it only happen when you first start up?
Where do you live, is it cold right now?
During the sputter, does the engine make harsh idle sounds?
Does it happen while you are driving or only at idle?

thanks

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

first of all, thankyou for the response!

i live in northern california, it's 80's here so it's not the weather.

yes, it's only when i first start the car and then shift to reverse or drive. although it did it once when i was leaving a parking lot waiting to make a left turn. i was idling waiting to turn and i hit the gas and it sputtered a bit.

there are definitely no "harsh" sounds, it's simply a short sputter and then its fine.

it hasn't happened while i was driving...only when i am stopped and about to go it seems like and it's not all the time, which is why i thought maybe it was the way i was hitting the gas. i heard that if you gas too fast it may have issues...

hope this helps get an answer...

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

i just thought about something...maybe it only does it when the gas engine is kicking on over the electric? is this common for you guys to have a small sputter or vibration when this happens?

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

Yes, It may be the gas engine turning on. Mine has always (since day one) had a harsh sound when I start it up first thing in the morning, and worse during the cold months. I can see where harsh sound and sputter can be related to engine starting up. It will take some getting used too.

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

well that is good news that i'm not the only one...puts me at ease. thankyou so much for your responses!!! :)

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

it should be a lot smoother once the engine is warmed up though

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

i'm pretty sure this is the case with mine, although i haven't really driven it enough yet to fully know for sure.

Re: question about acceleration/idle sputtering...
 

That's exactly it. It's just the gas engine starting up. It's one of the quirks of the NAH. It grumbles when transitioning at idle or slow speeds.