My 96 Se autotragic seems to shift sort of hard going from first to second gear. It doesn't do it every time but it is fairly common. I was wondering if any other autotragic owners had this problem. Is there a way to fix it, or should I not be worried. It is only between 1st and 2nd gear. The rest shift so smoothly the only way I know it shifts is by watching the rpm gauge.

 

First try draining and refilling the tranny fluid...how long has it been...as well make certain you do not overfill it...that is just as much a factor in slippage in AT as underfilling it...good luck

 

Hell im giving thanks to lord...my tranny almost die this week...all because i didnt chance the complete fluid of the tranny and thats means clean with special process. My tranny goes very rare and has very hard shift to 1, 2 gear...as you say too.....Right now im good and happy.

The specialist recomend make the process(remplace all the fluid, clean the complete tranny with special machine) every 30,000 miles


so if you want to save like 500-1000 dollars do it.

 

a firm shifting tranny is not a bad thing. an automatic is a sereis of gears that are engaged with various clutches....quick shifts keep those clutches from wearing out...but can be bad if the bearings/gears can't handle the impact.

Anyway, back on topic. switching to Mobil 1 synthetic fluid really softened the rough edges in my tranny.

I wouldn't fork the dough for a fluid exchange every 30K....I would definately do one (a full exchange) if you haven't already. after that just drain the pan every 10-15K and refill (depending on the kind of abuse its seen). the maxima has a drain plug on the tranny pan making this really easy.

a fluid exchange is easy to do your self and requires few tools....search under "tran* flush" and a bunch of stuff will come up.

 

The 1-2 shift when the tranny is cold is normal. I run synthetic fluid and it still shifts fairly hard when it's cold. It also likes to stay up in 3rd gear until the car comes to a dead stop when it's cold. Simply put, the tranny doesn't like cold weather.

Thanks Nissan