Hi,

This is my first post as a Maxima owner. Also I'ld like to thank the site owners for this great place to talk with others that own a Maxima too. I just purchased a used 2000 Maxima, GXE, automatic with 28,000 miles on it. Before purchasing I did a CarFax report on it and the only negative thing that came up was that this car was a rental car. I am absolutely thrilled to be finally driving a Maxima. You see I've wanted one since around 1988. However, while going to work yesterday I was doing about 72 mph on cruise control and after about 15 minutes the car started to lightly buck like I was running out of gas. So I looked down at the guages and noticed that instead of having the tach drop down it was actually jumping up from around 2,400 rpm to about 3,900 rpm. I then turned off the cruise control for the rest of the ride. I found that If I keep a steady enough speed that this problem happens even without using cruise control. Has anyone here had experience with this type of behavior? If I had to guess I would say that my overdrive is kicking in and out, but I have not seen the OD off light come on at all unless I of course hit the button. Is it possible that this car is just trying to learn my driving habits? I read somewhere that the transmission will try to adjust itself to your driving habits.

 

I believe it is still under warranty, eh? the warranty is 3 year / 36k miles. so bring it back to any dealer asap. and one thing about buying rentals......rentals are usually abused by many drivers. I know my friend rent a maxi when his accord was in the shop. he drove to school parking lot dring a raining day and did 180, 360, with the hand brake....he then put the shift on first gear and rev it to 6k rpm and then shift it to 2nd gear....etc etc
he told me when he returned the car....the engine sounded different then the time he brought it out.

 

Yeah I know that rentals can be treated badly. I mean who wouldn't pound the daylights out of a new car that they are paying hundreds of dollars to drive for a couple of days? Anway, from what I've been reading a Maxima should be able to hold up to some abuse. Plus I just couldn't pass up the deal that I got on it. Isn't the warranty 3 year 36,000 Miles bumper to bumper and 6 year 60,000 drivetrain?
By the way I drove another hour on the turnpike this morning and my problem didn't show up. It is going to be hard to show the dealer the problem if I have no check engine codes and they need to drive it at 72 mph on the interstate for 100 miles before the problem shows itself.

Thanks
Jason

 

They should at least check it out to see if there is a problem. Your word should be good enough. Tell them it was a rental b4 you bought it. That should get there attention. I'm sure they'll look into it. If that doesn't work then there's always the lemon law.
If your OD keeps kicking in like that, your tranny wont last.
I have brake judder but it didn't happen all the time. I brought it in anyway and it's being looked at right now.
Sometimes, you have to make more than 1 trip to the dealer to fix these problems.

 

Good point, I suppose they could take my word for it :-).
Quick question though, my car did not do anything wrong during my 3 hours of driving 2 on the highway yesterday. Do you think it is possible that it is just learning my driving habits?

Thanks
Jason

 

Im not sure on maxima's but on alot of cars... the ecu will learn the driving habits of the driver during the break in stage.