I don't know the exact weight, but Nissan said one of the reasons they changed from a 5 speed automatic to the CVT was that the CVT weighed approximately HALF as much as the 5 speed automatic tranny.

 

Was the 'edit post' function broken last night?

Or are we just bulking up our post count?


N

 

I'll vote on #2

....and do anyone knows????

 

I saw a few other posters ask if there is a published TSB for the reflash. Has anyone found it??

 

Sorry guys, I hadn't checked the forum in a while. The CVT reflash was done under warranty at no charge. I just took a copy of the TSB to the Nissan dealer when I had an oil change and asked them to apply it.

It has not affected fuel consumption AT ALL. Not one decimal point. It feels like a different powertrain. The "slip" sensation has gone and the power of the engine can really be felt. Off-line throttle response is now immediate, and you can really feel the torque of the 3.5 throughout the rev range.
Nissan has nailed the programming and should ship all Maximas with this version of the firmware. I don't know why it is only intended to fix the low speed vibration because it also fixes every issue I had with the CVT. When the tranny is in DS mode, I swear you can't tell that it is a CVT. It feels like a very responsive conventional 6 speed auto, and in regular D mode, the "motorboat" sensation has been eliminated. I'm actually amazed how a reprogramming can make such a huge difference to the powertarin.

I downloaded the TSB here:
http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowl...html?catid=627
NTB09-138
2009–2010 NISSAN MAXIMA; BOOMING NOISE OR VIBRATION
It only applies to certain VINs and the dealer has to check the firmware version currently installed to determine whether the reflash is applicable.

If you get it done, I'd be interested to hear your (very pleased) response.

 

It certainly is amazing how you can tinker with response curves when you have access to the applicable map or other lookup data. This is at the same time the greatest strength and greatest weakness of using electronic intermediaries. Done right, you can do things that would be all but impossible to accomplish mechanically. But done too much less than perfectly and you end up with situations such as this one, where the tuning that was signed off on does not work optimally in some situations (and which may be sensitive to parts tolerances, making some cars worse than others).

I know of another example where an apparent tuning shortcoming in a new model (I won't go quite so far as to call it a "bug") was uncovered earlier this year by a nationally recognized autocrosser who makes no claim whatsoever to be an engineering type. It had got past all of Ford's testing and certification - most probably because their test regimen did not include the specific sequence, timing, and magnitude of throttle inputs.

This CVT issue sounds like something similar was overlooked, or that it was known and somebody made an arbitrary decision based on criteria other than customer satisfaction with potential NVH issues.


Norm

 

My personal opinon is that in order to meet CAFE requirements Nissan is tuning the CVT for economy to the extreme. The CVT kept engine rpms way too low which caused engine laboring and vibrations and generally bogged down the engine. It would "shift" to the equivalent of high gear at 1,200rpms which was way too low. Also, the CVT's lowest ratio is much higher than Nissan's 5 speed auto, or any of Infiniti's auto transmissions 1st gear, so moving from rest and running at low speeds requires higher rpms to compensate.

The reprogramming keeps the engine in it's torque sweet spot at a slightly higher rev range, but my experience has been no increase in fuel consumption. The engine rpms are also much better matched to the CVT's ratios, so the overall feel is much improved. The drivetrain feels very "tightly integrated" as in no slack or slip. I hope this reprogramming finds its way into general production.

An example of very poor programming is Toyota's 5 and 6 speed autos coupled to the 3.5. Throttle and transmission response is very soggy and the entire drivetrain gets confused. Talk about throttle lag and a hesitant transmission. I know, I had one. What a bad experience that was.

 

Norm and alan s - Thanks for two very thoughtful posts. They mirror what I am experiencing. There is very clearly an electronic damper of sorts during the first portion of accellerating from standstill with this CVT, and there is definitely a strong tendency of the electronic control system to keep the RPMs very low unless we put some force to the pedal, in which case the RPMs jump way up.

I have enjoyed the experience of moving from standstill to cruising speed with the RPMs staying between 1100 and 1400, but I know this is not a situation most folks would care for, as it is obvious the engine is barely above bogging.

I suspect we may see the 'starting from standstill' damper removed from the CVT in the 7 1/2 generation, as more owners ask to have their tranny reprogrammed, then still seem to get the same MPG. I'm sure this will be addressed before generation 8 arrives. We may even see a change to have the RPMs kept in a more normal range in low speed driving. But who knows?

Again, thanks for two very pertinent posts.

 

Alan - I am seriously considering this, and am curious as to what cruising rpm's run. On flat ground - mine runs about 1800 rpm at 60 mph, and about 2100 at 70. How do these compare with yours now??

Thanks

 

Im going to the dealer where I bought my Car for it's first service on Wedensday, hopefully they give me this update for the cvt.

 

Thanks for providing this TSB I'm going to get my Max programmed soon.

In regard to gas mileage the TSB it actually states the customer could expect a DECREASE in MPG by 1 or more. "they should be advised that their actual MPG may (or may not) slightly decrease (up to 1 mpg) as a result, depending on their driving habits and other conditions. "

 

There is no change in rpm's at freeway speeds. It settles back to running at relatively low rpms as it used to, but it is now very eager to drop ratios for more power when you press the gas and it "holds" the lower ratios a little longer, instead of almost immediately shifting to the higher ratios as it used to.

Honestly, I don't see any down side to the reprogramming. If finally allows the engine to do what it loves to do - spin up freely, make lots of power and fling you down the street like an F22, blowing everything away behind you it's exhaust turbulence.

Before it felt downright lazy. The power was there but only when you stomped on it. Now its like a happy Great Dane puppy pulling on the leash...

 

send me a PM please soon as you find out the details. i will then head to the same dealer right after you do. tell tommy g hello.

 

U got it, Ill pm ya on wedesnday when I get home. Ill def stop by the showroom to say hello to Tommy (And the GT-R), lol.

 

I'd like to get this tsb done, I asked the dealer about it and he said they would have to replicate the conditions in order to do the tsb... I have another issue for them, which is some sort of clunk or something when putting the car in reverse and starting to move/stopping.
Do you guys think I should remove the stillen intake before I go? Or they can't really put a blame on it for anything?

 

forget the silly GT-R. Say hello to his 2 Gorgeous Blonde Bomshell TWIN Daughters!!!

 

^^^ smart man, you already have a awesome maxima, but do you have blonde twins....?

 

[quote=Juggernaut23;7760794]forget the silly GT-R. Say hello to his 2 Gorgeous Blonde Bomshell TWIN Daughters!!! [/quote
They are never there, you want me to say hello to the pictures on his desk? lmao.

 

No I don't but if I did then im set, Blonde twins and a nasty car, What else do you need in life?????

 

Remove it before you go, you know how the dealers like to get cute when it comes to warranty work.

 

Nothing my friend, nothing

 

I had the CVT reflash done today. Based on a 40 mile drive home, mostly highway, I'm pleased. The reflash allows the CVT to respond more vigorously to throttle inputs at low speeds, yet still allows you to drive conservatively and economically if that is your preference.

One example for me was a freeway entrance ramp. It now requires less throttle to hold 2,000 rpms for a nice strong merge onto the freeway. Before the reflash - the CVT programming would want to drop the rpms right away unless you continued to push the footfeed down harder in order to maintain/increase rpms.

The only people who should see lower mpg are those who will be tempted to take advantage of the quicker low end starts on a regular basis.

I agree with an earlier poster that this should be the standard programming for the CVT.

 

I dropped my car off today for the reflash, and the guy was telling me there is no such thing as a reflash, and that a TSB wasn't a recall. I'm not an idiot obviously, but he probably hasn't heard about this yet. I'll update later as to what they say or do

 

Same here MikeRS, they didnt wanna give me the re-flash since my car had no recalls on it's VIN when they ran it.

 

So they called back and said the were no error codes in the system, obviously, and my trans os operating fine. How do I get them to perform this ??

 

The ntb bulletin says when they hook you up to the consult 3 the tcb has a part # and if it matches they will re-flash if not seems like your not going to get it done!!! So why doesn't all 09-10's get this done??? why just some??? we all seem to notice how anemic power is from 0-40... those who had it done already,what is the year of your cars?I for one will be super pissed if I get the run around!! did anybody actually have the symptoms of the booming noise and the lock up???

 

I really want this done, if it's gonna make my car faster. Im gonna ask around a few more dealers around here.

 

I had the booming noise and low speed vibration - all the symptoms described in the TSB, which is why I had the TSB done. Discovering that it changed the entire CVT characteristics for the better was a huge bonus.
I printed out the TSB, took it to the dealer and asked them to apply it. It appeared that the service advisor hadn't seen it before, but they didn't push back.
I know the service manager at Regal Nissan, Roswell GA, and they have always treated me well, and have never pushed back on warranty work or TSBs like many other dealers do.
I suggest that anyone who wants this done, print out the TSB and take it to the dealer. Knowledge is power.
If they immediately push back without checking whether it applies, call Nissan customer service. The TSB may not be compatible with all cars. Apparently there is more than one revision of the CVT firmware out in the field, and this update can only be applied to a certain previous revision.
Mine is an early 2010 model, so perhaps the revised firmware has now been incorporated into more recent production. I'd need to drive a newer one to feel the difference.

 

Mines a 2010, bought it in January of 2010. The TSB link doesn't really show you an official document to print out. The service guy told me not to believe everything I see on the Internet

 

Tell el dorko that others are doing it and they are way behind in their service dept if they don't know about it..don't give them an option..you want it done or it's a mark against their service and you WILL tell everyone who will listen.

 

Give us some more details so we can tell our service writter so they can not be lazy and look into this and perform it on all the requested models.A printed TSB would be nice also.Or anything official from Nissan to show them.

 

Try this:

1/4
Classification: Reference: Date: AT09-014 NTB09-138 December 18, 2009
2009 – 2010 MAXIMA; BOOMING NOISE OR VIBRATION
APPLIED VEHICLE:2009 - 2010 Maxima (A35)
IF YOU CONFIRM:
There is a booming noise and/or vibration when all of the following conditions are present:
• Speed between 20 and 45 mph
and
• Transmission is in “lock-up”
and
• Engine RPM between 1200 and 1500
and
• Light acceleration
ACTIONS:
Important: Before performing the reprogramming procedure in this bulletin, make sure the customer has been informed of the Customer Information on the next page.
1. Refer to Step 2 in the Service Procedure to confirm this bulletin applies to the vehicle you are working on.
2. If this bulletin applies, reprogram the TCM.
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP
OP CODE
SYM
DIA
FRT
Reprogram TCM (TCM Initialization included)
(1)
JE99AA
HD
32
(2)
(1) Reference the Repair Order and use the current TCM P/N written down in Step 2 of the Service Procedure as the PFP.
(2) Reference the current Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual and use the indicated FRT.
IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTIONS (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.


I copied and pasted most of the first page of the TSB.

 

to download the tsb in the link( http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowl...html?catid=627 )you have to join the forum that's hosting it,then you can download the 4 page tsb.

 

Has anyone else had the TSB flash applied and if so...how is it working for you? My dealer is 100 miles away so I emailed service to see if they will do the flash for me. Two days later, no answer. They were provided the TSB particulars that were so kindly provided in this thread. Thanks!

 

I'd give them a call, and be prepared to talk directly with the service manager if the service writer doesn't seem to be very helpful.

Shortly after we bought our 5th Gen, we had reason to get a reflash done under a TSB, I think for some cold starting issue and I think there was also some fuel cut tweak that might have been related (sorry if my memory is a bit soft on this; it's been about 9 years). Anyway, even face to face with a writer, I got the distinct impression that what I was saying was going in one ear, straight through and right out the other with nary a pause in between. To this day, my wife avoids going inside the place like the plague.


Norm

 

I'm not anticipating that this will get done without complications...that's just how it feels. I'm thinking that an appointment with our salesman and if necessary the sales manager might be productive. It is a lease with slightly over a year left and the car has 16k miles with a 36 or 39k allowance...would have to look at the papers. We plan to buy it near the end of the lease or if there are deals lease another Maxima. I hope to let them see it is in their best interest to do this simple procedure for a current and perhaps future customer and to do that without any veiled threats. HOWEVER...I can drive the heck out of it and put all the allowable miles on it and walk away.

Preferably this can be conveyed in a civilized manner. I will speak with service first but that avenue isn't feeling promising for some reason. Thanks, Norm.

 

Took my car in on Wednesday for a couple tsb's (front seat and vdc) and minor warranty work. Decided last minute to ask for the reflash. My vin # fell into the tsb, so they had no problem doing it.

The car definitely performs better. I still get a little bog sometimes just under forty.

I like it, unfotunately they kept it overnight and at sometime someone dinged it. f%#@!!

Service advisor promised it wont happen again. I like 'em, so I'll give them another shot.

 

I hope to have this done within two weeks.

Just to be perfectly clear, I should just tell them I want the cvt reflash and they should do it no questions asked and i will not be paying for this correct?

I have a feeling this will turn into something complicated

 

Your car probably has to have one or both of the symptoms...booming and/or shudder under light acceleration. Mine has the shudder and was built in August, 2008. I will insist that the problem be addressed if they waffle... and will tell them Nissan will be losing a customer over some technicality if they find a way NOT to perform the re-flash. I will even pay for it if it is reasonable (<100.00) though that shouldn't have to happen.

 

Just give them this tsb number

ntb09-138.

That is all I did.