when i take my foot of the gas it feels like my transmition is jumping down in stead of going down smooth it ushally dose it between the rpm range of 3k to 4k my real question is, is it a easy fix <cheap> and if not is it a thing that can damage my transmision if it goes untreated

 

There is normally a slight tug when you let off the pedal at cruising speeds in that RPM range, but I have never heard of a transmission "jumping down"—your best bet any time you have a shifting problem is to service the transmission. This includes changing the fluid and the filter, and cleaning the magnet would be a good idea as well. You may want to check the ECU for any trouble codes related to the transmission. Any time your car is not shifting properly, there is some strain on the machine that should not be there. Over time, this can lead to expensive rebuilding.

 

if you're going over 35mph, your torque converter is locked up. what you are feeling is prolly the lash from that.

 

Yeah I feel a "jump" when I'm in the first few gears and get off the gas pedal. I thought it was just normal. It makes sense.

 

thanks do you know how much it costs to fix and how much effort it takes to change?

 

it's supposed to lock up. it's normal.

 

How long and how hard is it to change out the tranny fluid and filter. Where is the filter? I usually don't have any fears working on my motor, but the transmission is a whole other ball park. How much tranny fluid does our auto's take.... 6 Liters...?

thanks

 

Not true. You can cruise at 60 mph with the TC locked up and push down the gas pedal and the TC will unlock. The auto Maxima has 5 "gears", the first 4 physical gearsets, and then the locking TC to make up the 5th. I've also noticed that the TC doesn't lock if I have the O/D off regardless of how fast I'm going. I've played with and experimented with this a lot to figure out what exactly is going on with the transmission as I go through the gears.

As for 99 Automax's problem, I'm sorry, I don't know what that is from.

 

Tranny fluid is 4--4.5 liters (from what I remember, correct me if wrong). Start by adding 4, then increase until dipstick registers full.
Cleaning the filter is not as good as a new one. Remember to clean the magnet.
There are plenty of write-ups if you search on Google.

 

Thanks! I'll look today and possibly do that along with my oil this weekend. Boy does it need it!

MacGyver265, when a torque converter locks up it is because the transmission has caught up to speed with the engine. Read this and it will better explain the whole situation. When they say it is a 4spd auto... they mean 4spd. There is no 5th "gear" or anything that acts like one in our transmissions. The 4th gear is overdrive and when the overdrive is turned off, the 4th gear is not engaged. The torque converter usually locks up around 40mph, so this is why you feel what you are feeling.

 

The torque converter will lock up only with the OD off switch is pushed in, if the OD is off the car will not shift into 4th gear or let the converter lock. The jump your feeling is normal because the VQ is a high compression motor which allows for a noticable jump due to engine braking. If you have a bad motor mount it will be especially noticable.

 

I used to have this problem on my baby. When driving, if I let of the gas, it would feel like the car was lurching one way or another.

I finally replaced the engine mounts and now the problem is gone.

Just my 2 cents...

 

i only have tat problem when my car is not well warmed up, but after awhile it shifts smoothly. i believe it's my cold air intake tat's helpin the smooth shifting.