I'm in a bit of dispute with my dealer over the smoothness of my 5-speed auto tranny.

When the car is cold, up-shifting is harsh, abrupt, rough, jerky, whichever term you like best. After about 5 - 7 miles of driving, the tranny becomes much smoother.

Is this a characteristic of the '04 Max 5-speed auto tranny? Any opinions or feelings about this issue?

Thanks.

 

I've experienced the same thing with my '04 SE 5spd. I haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but I will soon. 2-3 minutes of driving cures the hard shifting, but it shouldn't be so rough, even when cold (the tranny.) This has nothing to do with engine temp, only the temp of the tranny/tranny fluid.

If anyone has any info about this (dealer experience or otherwise) it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sharp shifting when the tranny is cold has been mentioned several times during the past six to eight months, especially by several Canadian posters. I don't recall any of them coming up with a solution.

Experimenting with thicker/different tranny fluids is not an option, either; only Nissan's special inhouse fluid is permitted in the 5 speed auto in the '04 Maxima.

 

I have a 6 speed and it grinds when you shift from 1st to 2nd when it is cold. After you drive for a few minutes, it is fine. Your problem might be similar, it probably has to do with the tranny fluid vescosity. Who knows...I will have to take mine to dealer and ask them.

 

I don't feel any rough shifting even it's cold
maybe i didn't pay much attention to it...

I always thought my max had very smooth shifting...i barely feel the shifting.
Most of the time i can't even feel the shifting...

 

I've got the rough shifting when cold also...helps if you just romp on it!

 

Nice and smooth here....still in the "must baby her" phase ie under 1200 miles

 

I've always had very harsh shifting in my Maxima... sometimes, at "parking lot", I'll get a loud noise and a jerk coming from the tranny like it was starting to shift and then backed off, then decided to shift again real quick (this would be impossible to replicate for the dealer). The funny part of this is that another Max that I test drove (with 4xx miles on it at the time) shifted PERFECTLY smooth, while mine shifted poorly from delivery (at 16 miles) on.

A few observations I have made:

1. After an oil change (and "lubrication server" where they check all fluids), I notice that it shifts much better for about 1-2 days.. then more harsh shifting.

2. It is worse when cold, but doesn't improve all that much after warming up.

3. If I get on the interstate and get it up to 70 ot 80 (or haul around 3 other large people), it seems to shift a whole lot better for the rest of the day, even around town with just myself in the car.

This is really driving me crazy. I wish it shifted more smoothly... Let us know if anyone makes it anywhere with the dealer!

 

YES! Mine always shifts hard for the first few minutes when the tranny is cold. I just try to drive gently for the first mile or two. It clears up after the transmission fluid warms up, and is silky thereafter.

It's done that ever since new, and I now have over 14,000 miles on it. I figure it's just a characteristic of the transmission and I don't worry about it.

Mike

 

There is a TSB on Nissan's Tech web-site on the hard up-shifting of the 5 speed auto when cold - you can see it here:

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...7.asp?mscssid=

Would suggest that you review this with your Dealer...

 

Thanks SEelite..... I'm going in this Friday for service. I'll reference the bulletiin.

Peter

 

Hey, 04SEelite, do you (or does anyone else) have any additional info on this TSB? Like, what does it involve (replacing some part, or just adjustments, or ???)?

Mike

 

Mike,
This TSB is for cars built before Nov. 3, 2003 ( VIN before 868337). All these cars will need the TCM reprogramed , and some will ALSO need the ECM reprogramed. Hope your VIN is higher than this,as mine is.

 

Nope, mine is 860xxx, build date 10/03.

I guess the TCM is the transmission control module. But if this is just a reprogram, I'm not concerned. In fact, this isn't a big enough problem to have really bothered me. Since there is a fix, though, I'll get it done ... while they're cleaning/replacing my grungy display screen under another TSB!

Mike

 

Mike,
Your car also falls under the NTB04-021, all cars before VIN 879918. It gets a new, improved fuel pump, more psi.

 

Thanks, VQ! Heck, I'm beginning to feel like I've hit the jackpot here ... 3 TSB's!

Mike

 

Quick to Vegas

 

Hmmmm ... better get that new fuel pump first.




Mike

 

Actually I believe the fuel pump update is for hard starting when the outside temp is below freezing. Mine did that this past winter, and the new pump cured it.

 

OK, got the new programs today. The new ECM is 18Y007 (old was 18Y001). The new TCM is 31036-8Y002 (old was 31036-8Y000).

The ECM took only a few minutes for downloading. The TCM was downloaded with a different device that took over one hour to transfer.

But, it was worth it. The auto tranny shift is very smooth now, cold or hot. And the tip shifter is also smoother.

Recommended for al pre-11/03 Max's.