First off, I'm not one particulary inclined to "floor it" - I got most of that out of my system years ago with the assistance of a super-fun '77 280Z

However, a pseudo-merging, meandering, and apparently clueless commuter almost smacked my Max ('96 GLE, 37K mi) this AM and the only way to get out of the situation (read: a semi was *this* close to my rear) was to stand on the gas. This was literally the first time I had floored it since I bought my Max last month and the results were both pleasing and startling.

The RPM zipped immediately up to about 6.4K and then dropped a bit to about 5.5K (I looked - ignoring moronic commuter guy - because the engine sounded like it was going to take off w/o the car). The pedal-floored-to-5.5K time felt like it was only a sec or three. Then I let off the gas a bit thinking something might be wrong and the RPM dropped back to a more normal <3K (still accelerating, just not as fast). I might note there were no weird vibrations nor a delay in acceleration (d@mn this car is *fast* - went from about 50 to nearly 75 before I knew it).

My two-part question: Is this a normal chain of events for those who experience this more often than I and what is your normal passing gear (I assume) RPM?

 

The Maxima has a tendency to drop into first gear when your going arond 30mph, so that would explain why the RPM went so high in your car. This is common for the Max, and yes this is one freking fast car!.
Take care.
Jose

 

Do you also hear the shrill "VROOMMMMMMM" of the engine and feel that you are pushed back to your seat. That my friend, is the magic of the VQ30DE.

BTW, is it bad for the engine when you floor it? I'm guessing it isn't because the engine was designed for it.

Also if the tranny slips ONLY once or twice does that mean it's dying? It's only happened once or twice at around 26K km. Never occured after that and I'm at 30K km now.

 

I do love the sound of the engine, that was one of the things that made me fall in love with the car!

It's always bad to abuse the engine, not to say the tranny, the VQ is a very strong engine, but I don't feel the auto tranny is up to par, so I wouldn't recommend flooring it very often. But I can't deny that I do it at least once a day

I don't think your tranny is going to die on you soon, but it's always a good idea to change your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or 48,000 km. Take care and happy driving.

 

oh ok..thanks man!

 

Well, for what it's worth...I have a '95 SE Automatic, that I've driven since 180 miles...it now has 133,700+ and the original transmission. I've driven it HARD. I floor it probably 20-30 times per day. I love it, that's why. I also have started occasionally shifting manually from first to second to drive (at redline, no less). And what has it done to my tranny? NOTHING! After maybe 40,000 miles or so, the shifts were more deliberate and "rougher". But it never slips or delays or misses a gear or anything. Can't say you'll have the same success, but enjoy it, for cryin' out loud. If mine is any indication, this is a tough cookie. By the way...I didn't floor it until almost 10,000 miles. Someone told me that was how long to let the engine break-in, so I was careful with it. I think that's a high estimate now...but maybe it helped me have such a solid 6 years with it. Hope this helps.

Alex

 

133K miles on a 95???? How much do you drive? My 91 Corolla only has 80K miles and we bought it new too!!

I'd guess your lucky with your Max cause others on this board have driven hard and have payed for it in the end in a form of a new auto Tranny.

 

I always love to hear high mileage Maxima's still pulling strong. I hate to admit it but I like to "feel" my engine all the time but worry about my high miles (82k). Sometimes I think that my car tells me to "get on it," and of course I do. My wife who is not an aggressive driver even admits that she zips in and out of traffic when she uses my car. My 2 cents...

[Edited by rll96se on 03-08-2001 at 09:58 PM]

 

drive at 37-38mph... then floor it. It's amazing hehe, very very minimal acceleration, but the engine jumps from like 1800rpm to 6300rpm instantly - always impressive for people who like the sound. Yes, the maxima auto tranny downshifts REAL easy which is nice... some cars, the fastest way is to hit the gas, let of, and hit it again... WHAT A PAIN! The max, you just hit it and it drops IMMEDIATELY, I love it (even though I am getting 5spd ) - Yes, it is a high revving car for an auto, and it will actually take it to high rpms. rll96se, I hear ya - I could say that I drive just about the same.... I love this thing! The bummer is this, I am now at 106k miles on my '95se auto, and my reverse has TOTALLY gone out.... so I have to get a new tranny (5spd) now.... oh well, life goes on.

 

My 98 GXE right now has 98,320 miles and I am pretty rough on my tranny, never had a problem. My only mods are the FSTB and a K&N drop in filter. My favorite thing about the Max is cruising between 45 and 60 mph w/OD off. When you stomp the petal in this range, the car takes off like a rocket and before you know it you're doing way over 100 mph. My father drives a Bonneville and thinks his car is hella quick, did this for him on I-95 and he just could not believe the power of the VQ. I don't think he's as happy w/his Bonneville these days since my pops also likes to go fast. Just another satisfied VQ customer.

 

Hey everyone, you should drive a 5spd if you can. I've driven an auto and it was an exceptionally smooth transmission, and a good match for the engine. However, a 5spd tranny transforms the Max from merely quick to ridiculously fast. If you guys think flooring it at 30 is fun with an auto, get a five speed and floor it at 65 in 3rd, then see how fast you're over 100MPH!

 

I pegged the gas on an empty stretch of highway the other day, and it shifted at redline ~6500 RPM from 1-2 and then 2-3 shifts. It pulled to around 6200 RPM in 3rd, doing around 105MPH and then I got scared and let off the gas, but it looked like it it would gone to a bit further before shifting.

Floored, the Maxima's automatic is excellent. But in normal driving, it is very reluctant to downshift and upshifts aren't that smooth. But man, does that V6 pull hard when you goose the gas..