hbmaxse

I recently purchased 2002 SE Automatic 11k mi. I have never owned a Maxima so I have no real reference point (besides 94 dodge shadow ES w/ 4sp auto).
I have some concerns about the transmission.
1. The car would not shift in to D from a standing start only 3rd. After moving I was able to shift to "D"rive on the fly. The dealer said the trans was "overfilled". After getting the appropriate tans fluid level, the problem was resolved for the most part. I still must gingerly go into Drive when starting off or it will not engage. How much real difference is there between D and 3rd, they seem interchangeable?

2. The trans sometimes seems to "struggle" going from 2nd to 3rd, the engine revs go up noticeably, looses power, slows, and then it will shift. This happens on occasion (at least once during a day of driving).

3. The low end power/torque seems a bit sub-par for an engine as strong as this one. It seems to have to work very hard, pedal half way to the floor for a quick start.( not racing, or peeling out)just beat the bus out of the intersection stuff. Could a loose or poor functioning transmission affect low end power in this manner? Or is this just a characteristic of this model. High end power is fine, cruise a highway speeds effortless.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like you have a tranny problem. I would get it flushed and see if that solves some of your problems. Not sure what problems can come from an overfilled transmission, but you have to assume it has been that way for 11k since they auto flush is not supposed to happen until 30k.

augie

Talking about trannys and stuff. How many quarts of tranny fluid would it take for a tranny flush?

MaxSand02

I also have 2002 SE/Auto with 11k. Though I bought it new. I am not an expert, just want to help.

1) In my area it is rather cold now. It takes some time before the car warms up. While cold the 4 gear is not engaged and, overall, the car feels underpowered. Can that be your problem? While in the 3rd you can easily go 90+mph, though it would feel too noisy. At 55-75mph the 3rd is much more fun to drive, but extra gas is the penalty for that.
3) The car tries to save fuel. It goes to the 4th whenever it can. The ways to avoid it: set on 3rd (or 2nd); step on gas.