I have a 2008 Chevy Tahoe hybrid. I love it with one exception. When I coast along at 40 or so there's a slight shudder. And about 10% of the time when I stop at a sign or light, it will shudder pretty bad when I begin to accelerate. It's almost like when you're driving a manual and don't give it enough clutch. The dealer can't figure it out. Any ideas?

 

Unfortunately I don't think you're going to find too many Hybrid Tahoe owners... this is quite a complex setup, and could be many things... I wouldn't know where to start... My personal disdain for hybrids aside, you're looking at a GM repair on this guy. I don't envision many local shops being able to or willing to handle such a complex drive-line.

I know they used the 6.0L block in those, correct? is it an 'engine' shudder or at take off do these usually draw on the motors?
They have two I think? and over 1,000 lbs of battery packs in the middle?

It runs on electric up to 20 MPH? Have you gotten the rated 20/20MPG? What's stopping like with the extra 1,000 lbs?

GM clearly doesn't believe in their future either... no 2015 hybrids... Sorry, off track again. bad squirrel.

At 7 years old, what's the expected battery life? I believe hybrid battery packs fall under the 7 year 70,000 federal emissions warranty... how many miles are you rockin? (I could be wrong).

Could it also just be the transmission output or rear drive shaft. On the non-hybrid guys the output shaft on the transmission and or rear drive shafts like to wear out, causing some 'rubber band' effects between coasting, braking, and accelerating.

Spark Plugs? it's 7 years old... time for new ones? Engine Air Filter? fuel filter? bag gas?

low oil pressure?

just thinking out load at this point...

Yep dual motors + a 6.0L... which is.. bigger than my 5.3L... which... I find... fuel-comical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...Hybrid_vehicle

Innovative:

"GM developed this hybrid system in conjunction with BMW and the now-defunct DaimlerChrysler partnership. The most novel component is the transmission, which uses three special planetary gearsets in addition to four fixed ratios like a conventional automatic. Depending on the driving situation, this electronically variable transmission (EVT) can function with continuously variable gearing for light loads or fixed-ratio strength for heavy-duty tasks."

 

Thanks for all your info! I decided to drop it off one last time at the GM dealer to see what they would say. Sounds like they got online with a specialist and they think it is some type of seal in the transmission. The explanation was honestly beyond my scope. He said that he was very confident that this would fix the problem. The bad part is its going to be $1500 because they have to take the transmission apart partially to repair it. I'm supposed to pick it up at the end of the week. I'll let you know what happens.

 

Hopefully it works out.