Engine falls flat on it's face

[P-bar]

Don't know if anyone else has had this problem couldn't find anything in the search. When I am moving slow and need to accelerate quickly the engine just falls flat on it's face and stumbles for a second or two. we do use regular gas but I don't think that should be the problem. Ideas?

 

[Mark_888]

Engine or Transmission?

 

[Vince2]

Well known hesitation...some say it's the ESC, some say it's the character of a "fly by wire" throttle and some think it's the new 8 speed tranny! There is no definitive answer. I do know that occasional think tanks are hosted by Hyundi and I really wish someone would bring up the issue during so that we could have an official answer. We KNOW that Hyundai is aware of the issue but no upper echelon official will dare answer.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I wonder if this is a complaint of the 2011 and earlier V8s that have the ZF transmission? I need to search the archives and see what I can find. If it exists in the ZF transmission cars, it is likely the engine computer programmer. If it is more common in the pre-2012 V6 models and all the 2012-on models, then it could be the transmission computer.

 

[JasTheAce]

Is Eco mode on?

 

[EXBMWGUY]

Is Eco mode on?

Eco mode is dummy mode. It changes nothing, only the driver's attitude about whether or not they are driving economically.

 

[zielritter]

To me this delay feels more like "hunting for the right gear". This transmission tries to get to the highest gear asap.

If you're cruising along in 8th @ 45mph (just estimating) and then you drop the hammer it almost feels overwhelmed trying to drop all the way down to 3rd.

 

[P-bar]

Engine or Transmission?

Definite engine

 

[P-bar]

To me this delay feels more like "hunting for the right gear". This transmission tries to get to the highest gear asap.

If you're cruising along in 8th @ 45mph (just estimating) and then you drop the hammer it almost feels overwhelmed trying to drop all the way down to 3rd.

I was in a parking lot trying to get out of the way of a car backing out of a stall

 

[zielritter]

I was in a parking lot trying to get out of the way of a car backing out of a stall

Well then that's not normal. I admit it's sometimes slow to respond, but I've never experienced such a long delay that I feel like I'm in the way of another vehicle and unable to expediently remove myself from their path.

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[kman]

I think I experienced what you describe and I think it is the transmission, not the engine. Happened to me a few times when driving slowly, wanting to change the lane while accelerating hard (to get in front of a car that is approaching). When I floor the accelerator I feel like instead of dropping to the right gear and going forward, the car is dropping gear by gear until it gets to the right one, but the process takes what feels like eternity, but is probably around 1-2 seconds. However, when the car on the lane I am trying to jump into is approaching, that is not very fun and definitely not expected. During the process of hunting for the right gear the car almost feels like it is coasting, before the hit of strong, but way too late, acceleration.

I think that is the downside of an 8 speed transmission and fuel economy. It goes to the highest gear very quickly, and is reluctant to downshift. There have been times when I floored the accelerator, but due to the time it took for my car to actually start accelerating I ended up pressing the brake pedal and staying in my lane. All the transmission did was shift to a much lower gear, but due to the time it took it was useless. Most apparent when driving slowly, 15-25 mph and trying to change lane while accelerating.

 

[Gunkk]

I wonder if this is a complaint of the 2011 and earlier V8s that have the ZF transmission?

Nope.

 

[P-bar]

I think I experienced what you describe and I think it is the transmission, not the engine. Happened to me a few times when driving slowly, wanting to change the lane while accelerating hard (to get in front of a car that is approaching). When I floor the accelerator I feel like instead of dropping to the right gear and going forward, the car is dropping gear by gear until it gets to the right one, but the process takes what feels like eternity, but is probably around 1-2 seconds. However, when the car on the lane I am trying to jump into is approaching, that is not very fun and definitely not expected. During the process of hunting for the right gear the car almost feels like it is coasting, before the hit of strong, but way too late, acceleration.

I think that is the downside of an 8 speed transmission and fuel economy. It goes to the highest gear very quickly, and is reluctant to downshift. There have been times when I floored the accelerator, but due to the time it took for my car to actually start accelerating I ended up pressing the brake pedal and staying in my lane. All the transmission did was shift to a much lower gear, but due to the time it took it was useless. Most apparent when driving slowly, 15-25 mph and trying to change lane while accelerating.

The car had to be in 1st I was driving very slow

 

[kman]

The car had to be in 1st I was driving very slow

If it was really in first then it seems like a different issue from what I experienced. However, the car is extremely fast to upshift.

 

[jchao]

I have the 09 with the 4.6. It does it in 1st or 2nd gear.
Mine does the hesitation and also does the motor reving, the RPM goes up but the car does not move.
Once I let off a little and give it gas it then goes.
It has been scary a few times.
Trying to turn with on coming traffic.
Hyundai has done nothing since 09 to rectify this issue as well as radio.

 

[jpfx]

as said earlier, I think it's the nature of the beast, being a combination of fly by wire and adaptive engine management.
I have experienced this problem and it does induce a high pucker factor. fortunately, the occasions where I'm at a dead stop and need to accelerate fast are few not the least because I'm used to it and have adjusted by easing my foot into applying power.
you could try any combination of these:
disconnect battery for a few minutes to reset adaptive management.
test with/without auto brake thing on.
keep front wheels straighter (at start) to avoid rear drive trying to anticipate differential slip.
adapt your driving style.
adapt the management by pulling away fast regularly.

all are wild guesses so take with a pinch of salt.

 

[Vermillion3]

Well then that's not normal. I admit it's sometimes slow to respond, but I've never experienced such a long delay that I feel like I'm in the way of another vehicle and unable to expediently remove myself from their path.

I know in my 2010 4.6 I have the same problem and have had it from dead stop trying to shoot across traffic lanes pulling out of my street onto the main road. I have also experienced the lag at highway speeds too; you mash the gas and she just sits there for a spell; leaving you feeling WTF lets GO!!!! Then she comes to life and takes off. I can alleviate the hesitation from dead stop buy letting her roll some and gently ramping up the throttle rather than stabbing it as for the highway speed problem it is simply just that a problem. I have brought it up to my dealer before but they look at me like I am speaking Farsi. No there is no problem here.....

It is almost most certainly a engine control or throttle problem as if it was a transmission problem she would make a ton of noise but not go anywhere; as it stands now you hit the go peddle and there is silence, a pause, almost like she has to take a deep breath before she can sing.

 

[JasTheAce]

It could be the programming in the TCM. You might see if the dealer can reflash it and see if it helps any. I know in my previous car (G8) the transmission got really confused when I punched it after a lot of ginger driving. Its especially bad if you manage to ask for a lot of power right as its starting an upshift because it will seem like the transmission stalls for a second as it reengages the lower gear.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I know in my 2010 4.6 I have the same problem and have had it from dead stop trying to shoot across traffic lanes pulling out of my street onto the main road. I have also experienced the lag at highway speeds too; you mash the gas and she just sits there for a spell; leaving you feeling WTF lets GO!!!! Then she comes to life and takes off. I can alleviate the hesitation from dead stop buy letting her roll some and gently ramping up the throttle rather than stabbing it as for the highway speed problem it is simply just that a problem. I have brought it up to my dealer before but they look at me like I am speaking Farsi. No there is no problem here.....

It is almost most certainly a engine control or throttle problem as if it was a transmission problem she would make a ton of noise but not go anywhere; as it stands now you hit the go peddle and there is silence, a pause, almost like she has to take a deep breath before she can sing.

And my experience is just the opposite! If I'm "slowly rolling" I experience the hesitation for sure. But if I'm giving it gas from a (complete!) dead stop it takes off like a rocket. I've adapted my driving so as not to force my way into an unsafe situation because of this.
Btw, same 4.6 and ZF 6 speed as my '09 Gen.

 

[technopeasant]

2012 3.8 same disconcerting lag when merging into traffic from a rolling stop.
Happens when 8sp is in DRIVE not SPORT mode.
It seems the 8sp doesn't drop from 3rd to 1st until 2-4mph so when I punch it to merge it hangs then flies.

I've learned to put it in SPORT mode and shift into first on approach to certain intersections.

Or come to a full and complete stop like we're supposed to.