Mark S.

I have a 2002 SE...I was wondering if someone would please let me know if their RPMs are reading at these figures with the corresponding speeds while in Drive (D) for the automatic transmission...

2000 RPM.......60 MPH steady cruising

2300 RPM.......70 MPH steady cruising

For some reason it seems to me that the RPMs are running a bit high. It's almost like I have to maintain a bit more pressure on the accelerator in order to maintain 70 MPH. And when I remove my foot, the car seems to slow down rather quickly -- almost like "engine braking."
I've noticed this after they did the engine sensor position replacement (Recall) several months ago...Are the above RPMs normal while cruising at those speeds? It feels like it's no longer in "overdrive."

(I placed the shifter into the "3" position of the automatic transmission at 60 MPH and the RPMs did, understandbly, go up a bit)

5 spd

iTrader: (2)

does the auto have a button for overdrive? the speed should go decrease as you let off the gas, but how fast? well, that is hard to say. it shouldnt be constant as if you were on cruise, though...

bmaxima

I have a 2002 gle and the rpm's and speed are the same as mine. Not too good at posting.

PTP

Have a 5 speed 2k and mine reads 3K at close to 80 mph.

WHEELMAN_03_SE

2k3 six speed, about 1850 at 60mph, 3000 at 90, 5700 at 145 in 5th
WHEELMAN

FanaticMadMax

That sounds about right but mine is a 01' automatic, when I drive 75mph it reaches about 2500 but since your car is a 3.5 engine, it normal. I don't know why you're alarmed about this?

Mark S.

Thanks for your info...there is no button for overdrive, according to the manual the "Drive" is the "overdrive" for the automatic transmission.

bmaxima, your response definitely makes me feel better about the RPM issue. I did call to have the dealer run a test on the tranny for next Tuesday...I did ask them if they could tell me what the service manuals said about RPM speed at a certain MPH speed and of course they said I have to bring her in and let the tech hook up to the computer to get the readings at various speeds...just another way of getting me in and paying for a diagnostic.

Mark S.

FanaticMadMax, I guess it's because I'm comparing it to my daily driver (my wife normally drives the Maxima) an automatic 2002 V6 Mustang with a 3.8L which runs about 1800 RPM at 60MPH and about 2100 RPM at 70MPH. My son's '01 Chevy Blazer with a 4.2L automatic runs about 1900 RPM at 60 MPH and about 2100 RPM at 70MPH. (I didn't bother to check my '01 Vette because it's a six speed manual).

I really thought that the Maxima would run about 1800 RPMs at 60 MPH.

Of course, the Mustang and Blazer have different rear axle ratios from the Maxima. I know that the Mustang has a 3.27 rear end. Anyone know the final drive ratio for the automatic '02 Maxima?

WildmanAL

iTrader: (4)

I'm pretty sure my 02' automatic reads about 3200 rpm @ 80mph.

Mark S.

wildmanal, thanks for the info...when you get a chance please give me a read of your RPMs at 60MPH and 70MPH...I want to see if they line up with "bmaxima's" readings...thanks!

And I checked on the final drive axle ratio for the '02 Automatic...it's 3.79 -- pretty short --probably explains why the RPMs are a bit high (great for getting out of the hole).

bigdo26

iTrader: (3)

I think 2500 RPM is around 72-74 mph (right where my exhaust stops resonating!) 65 is like 2200 or something, dont remember exactly.The torque converter should stay locked in gear when you're cruising above roughly 40, hopefully ya know what I"m talkin about... if it does so, sounds to me like things are normal

Mark S.

bigdo26...roger that!

BTW, I'm originally from Middletown, CT.

WildmanAL

iTrader: (4)

I'll go cruisin before lunch and get back to you on this.

Mark S.

wildmanal, appreciate it...will be standing by!

WildmanAL

iTrader: (4)

Okay I just got back from the highway

My cold start idle was 1100 rmp

60mph @ 2100 rpm
70mph @ 2450 rpm
80mph @ 2850 rpm

and then I had a little fun and did 90 mph @ 3250 rpm

When I got back home my hot idle was 700 rpm.

I hope this helps you and just like you I'm a 2002 automatic.

goldmaxNYC

just took mine out on the highway... pretty much the same as yours.... so dont worry about it,.

Mark S.

wildmanal, great info and many thanks...I'll do a run tomorrow morning and compare. Again thanks for the taking the time to re-post the info.

nadeemp8

iTrader: (5)

in an 01 auto I am at about 2500 RPM at 75, 2750 RPM at 80, and about 3000 RPM at 90.

Mark S.

Wildmanal, goldmaxNYC, and nadeemph8...took her out on Saturday morning and the RPMs matched...thanks again...this is a great forum with great members!
(I will cancel my dealer appointment scheduled for tomorrow).

WildmanAL

iTrader: (4)

glad to hear everything worked out.

Maximized2000

iTrader: (11)

Going steady at 80mph I'm at 2500 RPM. Is that pretty good?

Mark S.

Maximized2000, you will have to get someone with an '00 to answer that...the '02 had an increase in horsepower and I believe a different axle ratio...but hopefully an '00 owner will be able to answer your question.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

Wow, my car is over 3000 RPM at 80 mph.

goldmaxNYC

Great. glad could assist.

Maximized2000

iTrader: (11)

Your's is a 5spd and your running at 3000rpm at 80mph? Mine is a Auto that runs at I believe not even 2500 RPM steady at 80mph. I believe it was at 2400 RPM because I just did it yesterday. Is that pretty good for an Auto? IS anyone else with a 2000 Auto running the same RPM's at 80mph?

takkar

I have a canadian car...and it's automatic

My max does 2600 @ 120KM/Hr...you do that math and convert that to MPH

Loe max

iTrader: (6)

80mph should be near 2,750rpm indicated with 16" rims/tires
60mph should be near 2,050rpm indicated with 16" rims/tires

The T/C should lock at an indicated 37mph in 4th gear at light throttle/steady state cruising, at 52mph in 3rd gear at light throttle; 78mph at WOT with O/D off.

sheidt

I have the '03 auto, with the 17" wheels, and mine is pretty consistently:

60 mph @ 2000 rpm
74 mph @ 2500 rpm
87 mph @ 3000 rpm
101 mph @ 3500 rpm

Mark S.

sheidt, this all started with my concern over the RPMs being a bit high (at least I thought so) when cruising on the highway. I asked the dealer if their service department could give me the specs on the auto transmission RPMs in "Drive" at certain speeds for the 2002/03 model and of course their response was "Bring her in" and "We'll check her out." This, of course, translates to more bucks in their pockets and a "wild test ride" by one of their techs.
Anyway, thanks to the members of this forum, I found out that my RPMs at those highway speeds were normal...you've all saved me a bundle! Thanks!

Progress

iTrader: (26)

I always thought the overdrive gear was pretty low in my car.

Mark S.

ABDomega, not necessarily...a lot of other V6 vehicles on the road will have RPMs in the 1,800 range at 60-65 MPH...though it will go up to about 2,000-2,200 once you hit 70MPH...another big factor is the rear axle ratio...the '02 has a rear axle ratio of 3.79...that can certainly bring your RPMs up. Other car manufacturers will use 2.73, etc., as a gas saving axle ratio...that results in a much lower RPM when cruising at highway speeds.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

Mark,

When I said low, I mean the gear was low, not the RPM. I wish that the gear was actually higher so that the RPMs would be lower.

Mark S.

ABDomega, roger that!

nadeemp8

iTrader: (5)

Glad we could be of assistance, after all this is what this board is about, right??

Mark S.

nadeemp8, that's right!