5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Won't Downshift When Passing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2010 | 10:36 AM
  #1  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Won't Downshift When Passing

My transmission needs work. Lots. But since I got my car I've noticed it doesn't like downshifting when passing another vehicle. When it feels like it needs to shift from 3rd down to 2nd for more acceleration power, it doesn't. If you've ever tried to floor a manual in 3rd from a rolling stop, you know how this feels.

Is this a common thing? Are there any remedies to force the car downshift under heavy acceleration (aside from physically moving the gear selector to 2nd?)
Old May 28, 2010 | 10:42 AM
  #2  
importcf's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 254
From: Belmont, MA
relearn?
Old May 28, 2010 | 11:52 AM
  #3  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
What speed are you at when this occurs? After a certain speed say 70-75. It won't for obvious reasons.
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:07 PM
  #4  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
What speed are you at when this occurs? After a certain speed say 70-75. It won't for obvious reasons.
Yea, 2nd gear would be fried at those speeds. Usually when rolling around 20-40 then going straight to WOT should make it jump down to 2nd, and it will sometimes, but more often than not, I can floor it and not much happens. Even when going faster (around 35) it should jump into 2nd quick enough to give the car a boost then shift back to 3rd.

My 1992 Lexus ES300 had a flawless transmission (even with 250k miles) and was excellent about knowing when to shift and into what gear. Often times I resent the fact that I traded it in for this car.
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:10 PM
  #5  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Could be the throttle relearn deal too. Try that.
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:19 PM
  #6  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Could be the throttle relearn deal too. Try that.
I'll have to play with that later. I've also never had a reflash or update. Would I benefit from this as far as the transmission is concerned?
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:25 PM
  #7  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Couldn't hurt or maybe it can but the relearn is free.
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:44 PM
  #8  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Couldn't hurt or maybe it can but the relearn is free.
Yea. Did a search for the procedures and saw that the average ECU reflash is almost $100. Rip off.
Old May 28, 2010 | 03:24 PM
  #9  
Z-Powered's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 339
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Originally Posted by ZGadson
Yea, 2nd gear would be fried at those speeds. Usually when rolling around 20-40 then going straight to WOT should make it jump down to 2nd, and it will sometimes, but more often than not, I can floor it and not much happens. Even when going faster (around 35) it should jump into 2nd quick enough to give the car a boost then shift back to 3rd.

My 1992 Lexus ES300 had a flawless transmission (even with 250k miles) and was excellent about knowing when to shift and into what gear. Often times I resent the fact that I traded it in for this car.
How quick are you going WOT? I notice that if I gradually roll on the gas, my car won't downshift into 2nd. If I stomp on it however, it will.
Old May 28, 2010 | 04:12 PM
  #10  
perkman87's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 737
From: West Palm Beach
try to gate shift it...... and see if it goes. just do it at around 60. with your foot on the throttle of course.
Old May 28, 2010 | 05:37 PM
  #11  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
^^ That doesn't fix the problem.
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:22 PM
  #12  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by ZGadson
Is this a common thing? Are there any remedies to force the car downshift under heavy acceleration (aside from physically moving the gear selector to 2nd?)
...from my very 1st post.

Last edited by ZGadson; May 28, 2010 at 06:24 PM.
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:23 PM
  #13  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by Z-Powered
How quick are you going WOT? I notice that if I gradually roll on the gas, my car won't downshift into 2nd. If I stomp on it however, it will.
lol. When I want to pass someone, I'm usually annoyed enough I stomp the gas... then get more annoyed when nothing happens.
Old May 28, 2010 | 10:49 PM
  #14  
SoonerFan's Avatar
Cletus
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,676
From: OKC, OK
this is why I like to shift myself
Old May 29, 2010 | 12:57 AM
  #15  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
STFU .. Cripes. not all of us were lucky enough to find a manual, ya dip shi.t .. we had to settle.

j00r poppahs > mine, had to remove an effin tick from the bastage you see in said av pic .. FTL
Old May 29, 2010 | 01:50 AM
  #16  
SoonerFan's Avatar
Cletus
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,676
From: OKC, OK
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
j00r poppahs > mine, had to remove an effin tick from the bastage you see in said av pic .. FTL
yeah...since my dogs love running around in brush, they get ticks everytime I take them out to the woods...thank god they both have short hair so its easy to see them
Old May 29, 2010 | 01:57 AM
  #17  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
Yeah, my big guy is slick/lean. But I have another big fluffy girl ... damnit ... I don't even wanna feel for said arachnids
Old May 29, 2010 | 02:00 AM
  #18  
SoonerFan's Avatar
Cletus
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,676
From: OKC, OK
we should stop whoring up this "valuable" thread...moving to the DC fri thread
Old May 29, 2010 | 02:03 AM
  #19  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
c u thurr .. @ 'value'
Old May 29, 2010 | 10:17 AM
  #20  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
c u thurr .. @ 'value'
So, as "Chingy" once said, if I shift it "right thurr," it will work?
Old May 30, 2010 | 11:59 AM
  #21  
ZGadson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 652
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Could be the throttle relearn deal too. Try that.
This actually seemed to help a little if anyone else is having the same problem. Also cleaned up my rough 1-2 shift so it doesn't feel quite as fukd up.
Old May 30, 2010 | 11:27 PM
  #22  
Scottwax's Avatar
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
I've noticed in hot weather you need to hit the gas harder to make it downshift.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
09maxshawn11
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
5
Sep 30, 2015 10:28 AM
hez8813
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
0
Sep 27, 2015 08:37 AM
DarjeelingRose
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
3
Sep 15, 2015 01:20 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:50 AM.