engine vibration

naviguy · Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:16 am

I concur. It's not a show stopper... I still love the car...

WESHOOT2 · Sat Aug 27, 2011 5:44 pm

Try...Mobil premium? (about 40 gallons worth contains sufficient extra cleaning additives from Chevron to fully clean the injectors and fuel delivery system; might help)

naviguy · Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:50 pm

But my car is only 1000 miles

CLLee · Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:27 pm

Sorry to bring this back up again...

I'm noticing this exact characteristic in the past 2-3 months.
Thought might be interesting to see if the CVT owners are experiencing the same thing 2 years later.

Just as the OP stated, just as my car is about to come to a stop, I can feel a slight vibration through the steering wheel... like the engine is about to stall. I've tried mucking around Manual mode with normal braking and engine braking, with similar effect.
I notice it happens when the car shifts into 1st gear just before stopping, and the vibration happens just as the "instant economy" bar goes up; stopping when the bar disappears (could be a coincidence?).

KIZFAN2 · Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:59 pm

I have the same issue, my local Suzuki mechanic test drove my car with the computer hooked up and could not find anything wrong.

murcod · Wed Jul 17, 2013 2:33 pm

In a recent discussion it was brought up about how the Kizashi CVT incorporates a small torque converter to improve acceleration from a standing start. Perhaps the torque converter sometimes stays locked up for too long and drags the engine revs down?

(I could be totally on the wrong track, but thought it was worth suggesting?)

Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:36 pm

I don't think you're on the wrong track w/ that thought. Bad TCs in conventional autos have ultimately been the cause of many a mysterious shudder problem. Part of why a flush w/ the proper de-lacquering agents is far better than a simple drain and fill. Again, why I am trying to find recommendations and/or experiences w/ flushing CVTs. Haven't come across anything as of yet ...pros/cons...do it/don't do it...possible or not...good or bad.

Another reason why a tech and his 'computer' wouldn't find squat being wrong. A TC is a purely mechanical device. Besides, if there weren't sensors or the programming (firmware) in place, one wouldn't expect the all knowing computer to tell you anything. Gone are the days of old school mechanics able to diagnose w/o an electronic device telling him what's wrong.

CLLee · Wed Jul 17, 2013 4:40 pm

murcod wrote:In a recent discussion it was brought up about how the Kizashi CVT incorporates a small torque converter to improve acceleration from a standing start. Perhaps the torque converter sometimes stays locked up for too long and drags the engine revs down?

(I could be totally on the wrong track, but thought it was worth suggesting?)

Is that going to create problems down the road, or just one of those things we have to live with?

LPSISRL · Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:22 pm

Mine does the same thing. It's like with a manual transmission if don't push the clutch in quite soon enough. My impression was that the transmission was not "unlocking" soon enough as the car comes to a stop causing a brief shudder as the RPMs are dragged down. Seems like a slight re-programming would fix this. I'm going to shift into neutral at about 10 MPH when coming to a stop and I bet it won't happen. That will tell you pretty much for sure that it's tranny. We should all try this test and see if we all get the same result.

murcod · Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:09 am

CLLee wrote:
murcod wrote:In a recent discussion it was brought up about how the Kizashi CVT incorporates a small torque converter to improve acceleration from a standing start. Perhaps the torque converter sometimes stays locked up for too long and drags the engine revs down?

(I could be totally on the wrong track, but thought it was worth suggesting?)
Is that going to create problems down the road, or just one of those things we have to live with?

I'm no auto trans/ CVT expert (far from it actually!) but I don't see any reason why it would get worse. I'd imagine when it happens the engine ECU would detect the revs getting low and adjust the air flow through the Idle Air Control valve/ electronic throttle to the engine to compensate and prevent stalling.

I'd imagine it is a programming issue as the torque converter lock should be some sort of electrical device?