Vibration feel from seat during acceleration

5855 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Edward, Dec 17, 2015

Edward

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2015

It's probably just how it works, but still would like to see what do you guys think.

Even when the engine/transmission is fully warm up, I can feel some vibration through the seat during light/moderate acceleration when the engine is below 2000 rpm (worse if <1500). It's not very bad, but definitely noticeable. It's also more noticeable when accelerating in high gear, such as around 30-40 mph in 5th/6th gear. Once the speed is steady, even still below 2000 rpm, the vibration is mostly gone. In the morning when the engine/transmission is cold, the vibration can even be felt from the gas paddle.

I tried revving the engine when it's in neutral and there is no vibration at all (at least not from the seat). Not sure if it's the transmission itself generating the vibration, or the vibration is from the engine and transmit through the transmission.

None of my previous cars had this kind of vibration, at least not as noticeable. There is one post about this: http://www.audiq3forum.com/forum/289-audi-q3-general-discussion/5154-acceleration-delays-shudder-etc.html. The OP has the same observation.

Is it the same on your Q3 too?

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boblepp

· #2 · Dec 2, 2015

Edward said:
..snip..
Is it the same on your Q3 too?

I feel no such vibrations. Almost sounds as if you are getting a miss under load. To get enough motion through the motor mounts, through the body, through the seat to your bum would take quite a lot of force. Suggest a dealer visit for sure. My car had logged a miss on two cylinders in the OBD, found it with Carista. That's a good use for an inexpensive scanner... checking for odd things the car may encounter.

But to be sure I better go for another drive! Great excuse.

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boblepp

· #3 · Dec 4, 2015

boblepp said:
..snip..

But to be sure I better go for another drive! Great excuse.

OK, mission accomplished... with glutes set to sensitivity level 11 I proved there is no vibration in either front seat at any speed.

I am guessing you have a bad/unbalanced tire since you get none when in neutral and it is worse at high speed. Shift to neutral at the higher speed and let off the gas, see if you get any. If you do, it's a tire.

Or water in the fuel.

Maybe neither.

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Edward

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 5, 2015

Thanks so much for testing it out! Much appreciated!

Glad that you don't have any vibration at all from the front seats. I tested it more since my post and it's definitely quite easy to reproduce on mine. By the way when it happens I also feel more vibration through the steering wheel as well.

I think unlikely it's the tires, but I will try your suggestion just to make sure. From my experiment so far, it seems to happen when under load during high gear and low rpm (I didn't manual shift to high gear, I leave it in D).

Any ideas/comments would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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PTI-Andy

· #5 · Dec 5, 2015

Edward said:
Thanks so much for testing it out! Much appreciated!

Glad that you don't have any vibration at all from the front seats. I tested it more since my post and it's definitely quite easy to reproduce on mine. By the way when it happens I also feel more vibration through the steering wheel as well.

I think unlikely it's the tires, but I will try your suggestion just to make sure. From my experiment so far, it seems to happen when under load during high gear and low rpm (I didn't manual shift to high gear, I leave it in D).

Any ideas/comments would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Are you sure you're just not bogging the engine and getting the normal shutter that happens at low RPM's under load? If I manually keep it in a low gear and step on it I will get a little roughness as well. Every car will do this if taxed well below its power band. I find the Q3 is smooth as glass in "S" mode but in "D" you really just want to drive normal or wait until the RPM's come up a bit before you step on it.

-Andy

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Edward

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 6, 2015

Thanks for the comment. Yes I see what you mean as most of my previous cars were stick shift. In this case I am not manually putting it into high gear though. It's all happening in the "D" mode.

I am going to wait a bit longer, if it continues then I will consult the dealership.

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boblepp

· #7 · Dec 7, 2015

Check your tire pressures. Especially the front since you feel it in the wheel.
Let us know.

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Edward

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 17, 2015

Just a quick update regarding the vibration.

All of a sudden it was a lot better (ie much less vibration) about a week ago. Then I realized it was right after I refilled the gas tank. So it's highly possible that the previous tank was just really bad.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I will post an update if I discover anything new.

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