View Poll Results: Auto Shift, Power Shift, or Comfort Shift
Auto Shift - Mid-Range RPM Shifting
93
54.71%
Power Shift - Higher RPM Shifting
61
35.88%
Comfort Shift - Low RPM Shifting
20
11.76%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 170. You may not vote on this poll
For Those with Automatics!!!
12-28-2003, 01:07 PM
#4
Originally Posted by DanNY
auto - normal shifting until you hit the gas then it goes to power.
Originally Posted by gowirelessnj
my altimas an auto i hate driving that thing thank god my 5spd max will be back on jan 5th
12-28-2003, 01:40 PM
#5
i usually have mine on auto, somtimes on power..but its NEVER on comfort..
I kinda like my auto, but I'm probably eventually going to do a 5 spd swap when the auto fries itself..
I kinda like my auto, but I'm probably eventually going to do a 5 spd swap when the auto fries itself..
12-28-2003, 05:18 PM
#7
lol shawn
when i had my automatic before i swapped i just left it on auto.. it was only when i first bought my car i was like fascinated by that switch i thought it was the greatest thing in the car
when i had my automatic before i swapped i just left it on auto.. it was only when i first bought my car i was like fascinated by that switch i thought it was the greatest thing in the car
12-28-2003, 05:52 PM
#9
yeah. Sometimes I would use comfort because I actually liked how it would shift sooner in the city (normally just on the way to school in the morning blah blah blah)
anyway most of the time it stayed in auto.
everyone likes that little switch, the real magic is the O/D off switch
anyway most of the time it stayed in auto.
everyone likes that little switch, the real magic is the O/D off switch
12-28-2003, 06:08 PM
#10
Speaking of the O/D switch, when it is on my car runs slower but it pulls harder. But when I turned it off the max felt like a jet is this supposed to have this feeling. My sis thought the car pulls of faster with O/D off. What is the purpose of O/D (Overdrive, kinda late huh)? Someone told me that when O/D is on your car is more fuel effecient, is that true?
12-28-2003, 07:52 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 485
Originally Posted by DA-MAX
I used to always keep mine in POWER MODE!!!! mad hella sick *** crazy powah yo!
Same here.
12-28-2003, 08:31 PM
#15
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by MrGone
I should be getting a Power/Comfort switch for my 92se soon...
12-28-2003, 11:06 PM
#19
Power-- I read on www.4dsc.com that I'll get better gas mileage for city driving.
12-28-2003, 11:15 PM
#20
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,371
Originally Posted by DMad8724
Power-- I read on www.4dsc.com that I'll get better gas mileage for city driving.
12-29-2003, 12:16 AM
#21
I guess I'm one of the lonely few that use the comfort setting, huh? I'm not all that comfortable with the higher shift points afforded by the power setting, and I have a tendancy to mash the gas on occasion, which makes the auto setting defunct!
12-29-2003, 03:20 AM
#22
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by nubiannupe
I guess I'm one of the lonely few that use the comfort setting, huh? I'm not all that comfortable with the higher shift points afforded by the power setting, and I have a tendancy to mash the gas on occasion, which makes the auto setting defunct!
At least on the outside, they think you are a viscous driving machine.
12-29-2003, 05:22 AM
#24
Originally Posted by nubiannupe
I guess I'm one of the lonely few that use the comfort setting, huh? I'm not all that comfortable with the higher shift points afforded by the power setting, and I have a tendancy to mash the gas on occasion, which makes the auto setting defunct!
I use it to try to get some mileage out of it when I can keep my foot outta the floorboard
12-29-2003, 06:46 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 588
One time, I thought that I was being really "creative" and I put it in Power mode with OD off. That was weird!
12-29-2003, 09:52 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 588
The car just shifted really oddly. It wanted to shift w/ the OD off and the Power mode on. So, I think it just trips the shifting up or something? I dunno?
12-29-2003, 10:50 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 486
I used to drive with the auto switch on and the OD on but now my auto is slipping a bit and I found that leaving the OD off and the power switch on it doesn't slip. Go figure? Only use OD on highway now. Seems to work
12-29-2003, 11:52 AM
#29
How doesn't my post make sense? This is from that site...
"As for the gas mileage thing, you will generally get better mileage when you drive in "power" mode. the reason being is that when you're driving around the city, you're on and off the gas a lot.. start, stop, slow, speed up, etc. if the tranny is in a lower gear (since you're in power mode, it will stay in a lower gear for longer), the car wil have better throttle response and accelerate quicker, simply because you're in a lower gear and the engine has more torque going to the ground. THUS, you won't have to mash the gas pedal to the floor in order to maneuver around the little old lady on your right and the car 100 yards in front of you trying to turn left. "
"As for the gas mileage thing, you will generally get better mileage when you drive in "power" mode. the reason being is that when you're driving around the city, you're on and off the gas a lot.. start, stop, slow, speed up, etc. if the tranny is in a lower gear (since you're in power mode, it will stay in a lower gear for longer), the car wil have better throttle response and accelerate quicker, simply because you're in a lower gear and the engine has more torque going to the ground. THUS, you won't have to mash the gas pedal to the floor in order to maneuver around the little old lady on your right and the car 100 yards in front of you trying to turn left. "
12-30-2003, 03:39 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 580
power mode. I just like the way it drives in that mode better.
12-30-2003, 06:16 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,046
I can see so much mis information this tread...please don't let me come off as sounding arrogant.
Here are some of my thoughts/corrections:
1. I've driven my car for allmost 100K miles (it has 117K now), most of the time in power mode.
2. I'm usually "thinking" about the way my car shifts, so I analyze it a lot. I can honeslty say I have a hard time telling any difference in shift points between Comfort and Auto. There is a difference in Power.
3. I'm of the belief that power mode (assuming you don't beat your car) is BETTER for the health of the tranny for everyday driving. When the engine starts to wind out a bit, with a light constant throttle......power DROPS...therefore the shift takes place with little torque, but then drops to a point with a bit more. Now before you guys go crazy, i'm talking about 1/4-1/2 throttle. To play this out in your head, pretend you put your car is 1st, gave it 1/4 throttle....the car would rev up.....but it wouldn't hit redline....at some point its just going to stop climbing. Now in auto mode, the shifts are smoother b/c they're happening at a lower rpm (and thus the change in rpms between each gear is smaller), but I allways feel that the tranny is now shifting with a higher torque load, and thus greater friction on internal parts. The shift is also slower in auto/comfort, but NOT because of programing, but because of the physics of the tranny trying to smoothly manipulate this torque. Same reason why at WOT the shift at 6k to 3.5K snaps off at a good clip (assuming a healthy auto), b/c at 6k, power is GONE...but comes to life back at 3.5K
4. What's with the crazy OD on/off stuff. Haven't we gone through this a ton? O/D on off does not give the car any more or less power. It will lock out top gear, so therefore accerating at 45mph in 3rd gear will be more powerful, then say the same throttle in 4th. But accerating from a stop will be no different, since it has to climb gears first, second, and third, before it would even have chance to get to fourth.
5. I don't get how people say (or the FSM says) that the auto mode will go into Power mode. I mean, if I have it in comfort, and floor it, its going to redline...period. I've haven't played extensively with flooring my car, but I have goosed it a few times in Auto, and it still shifts sooner than the same power power imput would have in power.
6. In light (1/3 throttle) driving in power mode is probably a tiny bit slower b/c winding out a gear with little throttle is slower than letting it shift at lower rpms, where light thottle torque is in effect.
7. The pre 92's autos (i'm assuming since thats when it was updated) drive differently than the 92-94. I've driven fromans 91se and a buddys 90 gxe (with 200k and a new NISSAN tranny), and the winding out of gears/hold time is more pronounced in the older versions.
I can clarify any of the above it need be.
Mike S.
Here are some of my thoughts/corrections:
1. I've driven my car for allmost 100K miles (it has 117K now), most of the time in power mode.
2. I'm usually "thinking" about the way my car shifts, so I analyze it a lot. I can honeslty say I have a hard time telling any difference in shift points between Comfort and Auto. There is a difference in Power.
3. I'm of the belief that power mode (assuming you don't beat your car) is BETTER for the health of the tranny for everyday driving. When the engine starts to wind out a bit, with a light constant throttle......power DROPS...therefore the shift takes place with little torque, but then drops to a point with a bit more. Now before you guys go crazy, i'm talking about 1/4-1/2 throttle. To play this out in your head, pretend you put your car is 1st, gave it 1/4 throttle....the car would rev up.....but it wouldn't hit redline....at some point its just going to stop climbing. Now in auto mode, the shifts are smoother b/c they're happening at a lower rpm (and thus the change in rpms between each gear is smaller), but I allways feel that the tranny is now shifting with a higher torque load, and thus greater friction on internal parts. The shift is also slower in auto/comfort, but NOT because of programing, but because of the physics of the tranny trying to smoothly manipulate this torque. Same reason why at WOT the shift at 6k to 3.5K snaps off at a good clip (assuming a healthy auto), b/c at 6k, power is GONE...but comes to life back at 3.5K
4. What's with the crazy OD on/off stuff. Haven't we gone through this a ton? O/D on off does not give the car any more or less power. It will lock out top gear, so therefore accerating at 45mph in 3rd gear will be more powerful, then say the same throttle in 4th. But accerating from a stop will be no different, since it has to climb gears first, second, and third, before it would even have chance to get to fourth.
5. I don't get how people say (or the FSM says) that the auto mode will go into Power mode. I mean, if I have it in comfort, and floor it, its going to redline...period. I've haven't played extensively with flooring my car, but I have goosed it a few times in Auto, and it still shifts sooner than the same power power imput would have in power.
6. In light (1/3 throttle) driving in power mode is probably a tiny bit slower b/c winding out a gear with little throttle is slower than letting it shift at lower rpms, where light thottle torque is in effect.
7. The pre 92's autos (i'm assuming since thats when it was updated) drive differently than the 92-94. I've driven fromans 91se and a buddys 90 gxe (with 200k and a new NISSAN tranny), and the winding out of gears/hold time is more pronounced in the older versions.
I can clarify any of the above it need be.
Mike S.
12-31-2003, 01:09 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 303
Specifically for VG powered Max's (as NZ Max's didn't get VQ engines & better trans until 4th gen):
If you leave the Shift Switch in Auto mode, the electronics work out what it thinks is the best / smoothest shift points based on speed, throttle position, water temp, trans oil temp etc.
For normal, city driving, is gonna shift up early & smoothly to give the best economy. This is the same as leaving it switched in Comfort mode.
Put the pedal to the metal & Auto Mode will select Power Mode - if you can take the eyes off the road you'll see the indicator light change to orange on the switch. Shifts will happen later & feel "clunkier" due to the higher engine speed (provided your tranny is not slipping).
Okay, over time, staying in Power Mode & using lots of heavy right foot will result in premature wear and trans failure (unless it's been rebuilt with a modified valve body). Why? The Maxima was designed specifically for the US market, therefore the VG / VQ engines produce reasonable HP but heaps of torque - standard feature of most US 6's & V8's. The high torque loads these auto's face from the V6 are there achilles heel - they were designed primarily for 4 cylinder Nissans where the torque loads aren't so high. That's why you won't find a factory VG30 with turbo hooked up to a slushbox - tranny would disintegrate in first 5000 miles (I suspect the JDM VG20ET's in 2nd gen max's used 7psi turbos - like the Pulsar/NX of '83-85).
O/D button: The auto is a 4 speed, with 4th (Overdrive) being activated at around 45 - 50mph (78kph in metric). The torque converter locks up in both 3rd & 4th at 45 - 50mph once trans oil temperature has reached normal operating range. Note that the lock up will disengage if you do over 90mph (145kph). O/D gives much better fuel economy than driving in 3rd gear. As an example, I use 91 octane gas & drive 4 miles to work and back everyday - all city driving. With a light foot I can average 24-25 mpg, with a little more fun, 19 - 20 mpg. I've been looking after a buddy's place that's 20 miles from work & back - mainly freeway driving and have averaged 30 mpg, using O/D and cruise control (which is slighty worse for economy, but it allows me to take my feet off the pedals...). At freeway speeds (62mph in NZ - but 68 allowed), the engine's turning over at a lowly 2000 rpm. In 3rd, it's 3000 rpm at same speed - perfectly in the engine's sweet torque spot, making the throttle response that much sharper, but at the detriment to fuel economy.
One thing I have noticed with tranny is that if I drive with a heavy foot it doesn't always change from 2nd to 3rd unless I disengage O/D - then once it's changed up, I can switch O/D on. I suspect that has something to do with the tranny brain getting screwed up, but it could have something to do with trans oil heat, governor or even valve body not able to deal with high torque of high engine speeds - am still working on this.
To recap, if you drive a VG powered Max, get a stick shift if you want to get the "max" out of it. If you have an auto, use for cruising, leave the switch in Auto and leave Overdrive switched on - the tranny will last longer. Otherwise get a 4th gen or later - the trannies can handle the increased power & torque.
Have a Great New Year!
If you leave the Shift Switch in Auto mode, the electronics work out what it thinks is the best / smoothest shift points based on speed, throttle position, water temp, trans oil temp etc.
For normal, city driving, is gonna shift up early & smoothly to give the best economy. This is the same as leaving it switched in Comfort mode.
Put the pedal to the metal & Auto Mode will select Power Mode - if you can take the eyes off the road you'll see the indicator light change to orange on the switch. Shifts will happen later & feel "clunkier" due to the higher engine speed (provided your tranny is not slipping).
Okay, over time, staying in Power Mode & using lots of heavy right foot will result in premature wear and trans failure (unless it's been rebuilt with a modified valve body). Why? The Maxima was designed specifically for the US market, therefore the VG / VQ engines produce reasonable HP but heaps of torque - standard feature of most US 6's & V8's. The high torque loads these auto's face from the V6 are there achilles heel - they were designed primarily for 4 cylinder Nissans where the torque loads aren't so high. That's why you won't find a factory VG30 with turbo hooked up to a slushbox - tranny would disintegrate in first 5000 miles (I suspect the JDM VG20ET's in 2nd gen max's used 7psi turbos - like the Pulsar/NX of '83-85).
O/D button: The auto is a 4 speed, with 4th (Overdrive) being activated at around 45 - 50mph (78kph in metric). The torque converter locks up in both 3rd & 4th at 45 - 50mph once trans oil temperature has reached normal operating range. Note that the lock up will disengage if you do over 90mph (145kph). O/D gives much better fuel economy than driving in 3rd gear. As an example, I use 91 octane gas & drive 4 miles to work and back everyday - all city driving. With a light foot I can average 24-25 mpg, with a little more fun, 19 - 20 mpg. I've been looking after a buddy's place that's 20 miles from work & back - mainly freeway driving and have averaged 30 mpg, using O/D and cruise control (which is slighty worse for economy, but it allows me to take my feet off the pedals...). At freeway speeds (62mph in NZ - but 68 allowed), the engine's turning over at a lowly 2000 rpm. In 3rd, it's 3000 rpm at same speed - perfectly in the engine's sweet torque spot, making the throttle response that much sharper, but at the detriment to fuel economy.
One thing I have noticed with tranny is that if I drive with a heavy foot it doesn't always change from 2nd to 3rd unless I disengage O/D - then once it's changed up, I can switch O/D on. I suspect that has something to do with the tranny brain getting screwed up, but it could have something to do with trans oil heat, governor or even valve body not able to deal with high torque of high engine speeds - am still working on this.
To recap, if you drive a VG powered Max, get a stick shift if you want to get the "max" out of it. If you have an auto, use for cruising, leave the switch in Auto and leave Overdrive switched on - the tranny will last longer. Otherwise get a 4th gen or later - the trannies can handle the increased power & torque.
Have a Great New Year!
12-31-2003, 07:02 AM
#34
I have a problem with O/D because last night I was on the highway and I brought the max to about 70 mph and it began to shake. When I took O/D off it stopped shaking. So what do you think is the problem with that or is it supposed to do that when it locks up between 3rd and 4th gear? When I turned O/D off it did shift up to fourth gear. That shift was very rough too because the RPM's were at 3500 and when I took O/D off it flew all the way to my redline then shifted into fourth gear.
01-03-2004, 09:55 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 154
I like power and o/d off. with the o/d on the rpm drops when i let off the gas, while it hangs a little higher with it off. so when i step on the gas again it's in gear vs. hunting for one.
On after 45mph.
i step lightly on the gas and in power that=2rpm-2.5rpm shifts. when going uphill or slowdown and speed up, the tranny downshift with less pedal effort while in auto or comfort 1.5rpm shift and mashing it to get it to downshift.
Hope that made some sense. bottom line i guess sloppy slushbox in every other setting beside power/od off
On after 45mph.
i step lightly on the gas and in power that=2rpm-2.5rpm shifts. when going uphill or slowdown and speed up, the tranny downshift with less pedal effort while in auto or comfort 1.5rpm shift and mashing it to get it to downshift.
Hope that made some sense. bottom line i guess sloppy slushbox in every other setting beside power/od off
01-04-2004, 03:40 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
i tried the "power" once and it didn't seem to do too much so now i just keep it in "auto". But whats this i hear about it pulling harder with the o/d off?
01-04-2004, 03:42 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 202
sorry i just now saw the second page and it answered the o/d question!
01-04-2004, 05:53 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,764
i shot my power comfort switch out of my pneumatic potato cannon.. that Sh*t when MAD FAST YO
03-15-2004, 05:37 PM
#39
Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 213
I lik using the comfort mode when i drive during the week 50+ miles to and from school everyday, it gets me better mpg, shifts at lower rpms, and is a better driver... But on the weekends the power mode is on and the car is full throttle! ~ I still wish i had a five speed though *SiGh*
03-15-2004, 07:56 PM
#40
As far as I know, overdrive does nothing but turn your 3 speed automatic into a 4 speed. It's an extra gear made to keep the RPM's low during medium to high speed cruising.
The only reason to turn O/D off would be during stop and go traffic like NYC for example, because you don't want your tranny to constantly shift into and out of overdrive.
O/D has no effect on initial acceleration.
The power/comfort switch as we know just changes the RPM's at which the transmission shifts. I always leave mine on power. It gives you the best acceleration without putting the gas to the floor. It doesn't really make a big difference which you leave it on, however you will notice that on power the RPM needle rises to 3-4k RPM during medium speed acceleration compared to about 2-3k rpm in automatic and comfort mode.
edit - I question the truth of the post above this. First off the RPMs at which a car cruises at has nothing to do with the power/comfort switch. At constant speed the RPMs will stay the same regardless of whether it is in power or comfort. What does make the difference of lower RPMs is the O/D switch. Secondly, do you really get better MPG by shifting at really low RPMs? I seem to remember someone mentioning that shifting at low RPMs actually takes up more gas/engine power because of the fact that it has to overcome the higher resistance of 2nd gear starting at a slow speed in opposition to the engine spinning at a high rpm making the 2nd gear resistance less. Does this make sense? I dunno much about how it all works, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong
edit once more: I noticed that the poll option includes "Auto Shift - Mid-Range RPM Shifting"... It is not mid range shifting. It shifts the same exact as the comfort setting. The only difference is that in auto mode the car will change to power mode when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, while in comfort mode the tranny will never enter power mode. According to the manual, comfort is used for a "silent and comfortable" ride.
The only reason to turn O/D off would be during stop and go traffic like NYC for example, because you don't want your tranny to constantly shift into and out of overdrive.
O/D has no effect on initial acceleration.
The power/comfort switch as we know just changes the RPM's at which the transmission shifts. I always leave mine on power. It gives you the best acceleration without putting the gas to the floor. It doesn't really make a big difference which you leave it on, however you will notice that on power the RPM needle rises to 3-4k RPM during medium speed acceleration compared to about 2-3k rpm in automatic and comfort mode.
edit - I question the truth of the post above this. First off the RPMs at which a car cruises at has nothing to do with the power/comfort switch. At constant speed the RPMs will stay the same regardless of whether it is in power or comfort. What does make the difference of lower RPMs is the O/D switch. Secondly, do you really get better MPG by shifting at really low RPMs? I seem to remember someone mentioning that shifting at low RPMs actually takes up more gas/engine power because of the fact that it has to overcome the higher resistance of 2nd gear starting at a slow speed in opposition to the engine spinning at a high rpm making the 2nd gear resistance less. Does this make sense? I dunno much about how it all works, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong
edit once more: I noticed that the poll option includes "Auto Shift - Mid-Range RPM Shifting"... It is not mid range shifting. It shifts the same exact as the comfort setting. The only difference is that in auto mode the car will change to power mode when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed, while in comfort mode the tranny will never enter power mode. According to the manual, comfort is used for a "silent and comfortable" ride.