Ever since I purchased the car, last year, I've been plague by bouts of extreme vibration. This engine vibration would manifest at certain RPMs, sometimes when cruising at highway speed, but mainly when accelerating, going uphill and down hill (engine braking). The vibration would occur at the resonant frequency of much of the plastic trim, rattling the entire vehicle.
Besides the terrible build quality, the vibrations have been my number one complaint with the vehicle. In so far as I'd be embarrassed to take passengers, as they would often comment on the noise. One thing I regret, is not taking it back to the dealer discovery. I assumed it was normal, given how many professional reviews commented on the droning of the engine.
Yesterday, I did my first oil change at 8100 miles. Much to my surprise, the errant vibrations have ceased. The engine is much smoother at the mid-to-high RPMs that used to trigger the vibrations. Intrigued, I've spent the day driving the car through various conditions, to see if the problem would reappear. So far, I have not been able to get the vibration to return.
My hypothesis, the vibrations could have been the result of the break in oil used as factory fill. I'm curious to see if the factory fill is a lower viscosity than the recommended 0w-20. My engine was assembled in Japan, I wonder if the Insight powertrain is also being produced in the US. If so, could there be a correlation between where the engine was assembled and the bad vibrations. These questions aside, baring no long term engine damage associated with the vibrations, I am much happier with the vehicle.
Besides the terrible build quality, the vibrations have been my number one complaint with the vehicle. In so far as I'd be embarrassed to take passengers, as they would often comment on the noise. One thing I regret, is not taking it back to the dealer discovery. I assumed it was normal, given how many professional reviews commented on the droning of the engine.
Yesterday, I did my first oil change at 8100 miles. Much to my surprise, the errant vibrations have ceased. The engine is much smoother at the mid-to-high RPMs that used to trigger the vibrations. Intrigued, I've spent the day driving the car through various conditions, to see if the problem would reappear. So far, I have not been able to get the vibration to return.
My hypothesis, the vibrations could have been the result of the break in oil used as factory fill. I'm curious to see if the factory fill is a lower viscosity than the recommended 0w-20. My engine was assembled in Japan, I wonder if the Insight powertrain is also being produced in the US. If so, could there be a correlation between where the engine was assembled and the bad vibrations. These questions aside, baring no long term engine damage associated with the vibrations, I am much happier with the vehicle.