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Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 8:25 pm
by ipaqxman
So it's starting to irritate me more and more when I drive in the city environment at stop and go or low RPM. The car rumbles at a low frequency / base sound with some vibration until more throttle is given. Car sounds smooth when the RPM picks up. Rumble occurs around 1500k RPM and disappears if off pedal. I've read that it is a CVT characteristic but are other people really experiencing this? I feel like I'm driving a uhaul truck when the car rumbles.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:24 am
by Speed_Racer
I don't know how intrusive it is for you. I have the 6MT, and it is silky smooth above 2k RPM. Below that and I consider it "bogging", so not as quiet and a bit more vibration. But that's been the same with every other car I've owned....they all have a "sweet spot". Not UHaul truck levels though.

If it's really bad, have you looked into maybe your motor mounts? Or just take it in while it's warranteed.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:07 pm
by klement
Yeah it's same here with my CVT.
One thing ... check your hood if its not loose. I heard extra rumble because there was a bit of play and when at full stop, it was vibrating, especially with cold engine.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:40 pm
by KuroNekko
Speed_Racer wrote:I don't know how intrusive it is for you. I have the 6MT, and it is silky smooth above 2k RPM. Below that and I consider it "bogging", so not as quiet and a bit more vibration. But that's been the same with every other car I've owned....they all have a "sweet spot". Not UHaul truck levels though.

If it's really bad, have you looked into maybe your motor mounts? Or just take it in while it's warranteed.
Agreed. I have the 6 speed manual and under 2000 rpm, the gears make noise. I call it bogging too. I hear it mostly in 2nd gear under 2000 rpm like in stop and go traffic.
Changing from factory fill manual gear oil to Redline full synthetic did not do much about the bogging noise despite improving everything else. I believe it's simply a characteristic of gear engagement at low rpms.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:08 am
by ipaqxman
klement wrote:Yeah it's same here with my CVT.
One thing ... check your hood if its not loose. I heard extra rumble because there was a bit of play and when at full stop, it was vibrating, especially with cold engine.
Yes I've noticed it worse when engine is cold. Maybe I'm overly sensitive as the sound seems tolerable to my gf but the low rpm hum just seems something an old car would do. When i let go of the gas it disappears. When i step on the throttle hard the engine gets really roars (maybe a little too much) but the hum n vibration goes away. As long as other cvt drivers experience the same... But far from advertised smooth driving experience imho

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:25 am
by murcod
KuroNekko wrote:
Speed_Racer wrote:I don't know how intrusive it is for you. I have the 6MT, and it is silky smooth above 2k RPM. Below that and I consider it "bogging", so not as quiet and a bit more vibration. But that's been the same with every other car I've owned....they all have a "sweet spot". Not UHaul truck levels though.

If it's really bad, have you looked into maybe your motor mounts? Or just take it in while it's warranteed.
Agreed. I have the 6 speed manual and under 2000 rpm, the gears make noise. I call it bogging too. I hear it mostly in 2nd gear under 2000 rpm like in stop and go traffic.
Changing from factory fill manual gear oil to Redline full synthetic did not do much about the bogging noise despite improving everything else. I believe it's simply a characteristic of gear engagement at low rpms.
:?: Can't say I've noticed anything like that. Mine is happy and smooth down to below 1500rpm - unless in a high gear and expecting miracles up a steep incline.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 1:26 am
by krell

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:17 am
by ipaqxman
I read the whole thread, and what they described felt very similar if not identical to what I experience. It seems those Nissan drivers had this issue fixed after a recall for the alternator. I wonder if there is similar TSB out for my car sigh.

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:44 pm
by SamirD
ipaqxman wrote:I read the whole thread, and what they described felt very similar if not identical to what I experience. It seems those Nissan drivers had this issue fixed after a recall for the alternator. I wonder if there is similar TSB out for my car sigh.
Are you still under warranty?

Re: Low frequency rumble when driving with low RPM

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:29 pm
by ipaqxman
Yes but I have to say the dealers here, or maybe anywhere since Suzuki has been dying and now is officially dead, are worse than useless. I get the "it's normal" 95% of the time, condescending attitude, and plain lack of knowledge regarding the car. Basically, not sure what I can do with my warranty especially when I don't have time to constantly visit the dealership which is at least 40 minutes away due to my busy work schedule. :(