Has anyone else noticed this?

When I accelerate - while moving - there seems to be a distinct lag before the acceleration kicks in. It does kick in nicely when it does, but the lag is noticable to me. I am a lead foot which doesn't go well with the technology but I am trying. I'm also coming off of a supercharged car that was VERY responsive to my foot.

Any thoughts folks?

Thanks

Gregg
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
VIN# 0000088

Hi Gregg. Mine seems VERY responsive. I drove an Acura TL Type-S before this - not supercharged, but certainly peppy. Your supercharged car may be causing a difference of perception, but I'd ask to test drive a different one for comparison.

Car & Driver listed very impressive numbers for acceleration in the HAH. Not room for much hesitation.

'05 Accord Hybrid
'05 Odyssey EX-L
'03 1800 Goldwing
'98 Civic EX (16 yr. old daughter's)

I might would suggest that you check the tension of the accelerator cable as well.

Hidden Views Photography

Isn't the HAH throttle by wire? i.e. no physical throttle cable?

Yes.

'05 Accord Hybrid
'05 Odyssey EX-L
'03 1800 Goldwing
'98 Civic EX (16 yr. old daughter's)

Learn something new every day. My only other guess is that you are used to the torque in your SC'd car and it feels sluggish up until the point the IMA kicks in.

Hidden Views Photography

Either that or transmission lag; like the time it takes the transmission to decide it wants to kick down a gear or two, where you then feel the added torque from additional gear multiplication.

I'll bet it's along the lines of what AZCivic mentioned, and that this is your first Honda, and if not, your first w/ automatic.

Honda automatics are notorious for lag followed by a quick downshift and then, bam! You're going faster than you intended, because you wound up pressing the pedal harder to get going. This is especially noticable on turning corners in higher gear...you're travelling about 30, slow down for the corner, give it some gas coming out of the corner, and it's about 25 feet later that it kicks in.

I know the trannies are different animals than most other manufacturers...that doesn't necessarily make them *bad*, per se (except for the latest design mated to the V6 cars - & ours is based off that model), just different. I can't explain from a thoroughly technical standpoint about what makes them different, but for people new to them, they can be exasperating until they're acclimated to them. Oh - and make *sure* the only thing that ever goes in it is Honda ATF, and preferably by a dealer. It really does make a difference in shift quality.

I'll also hazard a guess that being from Canada, and having a supercharged car, that maybe it was a Pontiac GTP ? I had a '97 GP (normally aspirated, but with the 3800), and the transmission had to be one of the smoothest shifting, best performing slushboxes I ever had. Seriously). Now the rest of the car, longevity-wise, wasn't so hot. Suffice to say, that's why I went back to Honda for my subsequent purchases.

Anyway - welcome to the forum! I'm hoping to travel up to BC this summer, and perhaps explore application for permanent residency.

Mark

Sometimes we could all use a little less

My hybrid automobiles:

Current:
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (CVT, w/o Nav)
Magnetic Pearl / Blue - 008661, born 12/28/05
Mods: Neck pillows, Garmin C330 Nav, Draw-tite 1.25" hitch (for bikes, not towing!), Pioneer Inno XM receiver via Aux jack, OEM mud flaps, more to come!

Hypermiler status on 3/12/06 @ 3077mi.

Previous:
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid (5AT/Navi)
Desert Mist / Ivory - 001254
Retired 1/21/06 - LMPG 34.1

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Though the hybrid Accord can accelerate very quickly from say 0 to 60, I do feel a noticeable lag when accelerating in one situation. I think it happens when you are going around 15 miles per hour (in 2nd gear?) and then apply the accelerator. The car kind of bogs down for a second and feels like it might actually be going a bit slower before it starts to accelerate again. I think what is happening is that the car is downshifting (perhaps to 1st gear) in order to accelerate. At higher speeds no such lag occurs.

To the Mike and Mark that posted last:

YES I did have a GTP. The tranny was great. Supercharger bearings were going so I dumped it.

I have been paying more attention to the lag lately. You are right, it is at low speed usually when I change lanes to pass somebody. So the tranny explanation fits. It really doesn't happen very often.

As has been mentioned in some other posts, as a lead foot and the driver of a 68 Mustang in the summer, this car is terrific even if you DON'T consider that it's a hybrid.

I AM trying to learn to drive it more economically!

Gregg