My 2010 Maxima isn't feeling right lately. I've noticed that the acceleration is not as crisp as it was a few thousand miles ago. It just feels like it has lost a good bit of oomph at all speed ranges. I'm noticed recently that I've been more cautious in merging and changing lanes because the acceleration just isn't there. This happens in standard, Ds, and Manual shift modes.

I can't point to any sudden change, just a subtle slowdown that more noticeable of late. Car has 53,000 miles. No check engine lights are on. I did have a MAF-related MIL code a few months back; I cleared it and it has not returned. I previously had a 2009 with 85,000 miles and did not have the same issue.

Any ideas / suggestions on what to look at to get the oomph back?

 

I really can't help you with the problem but someone here will chime in. They would want to know if you have any performance mods installed, what gas are you using, and is acceleration jumpy or smooth and are they any other sounds coming from the engine compartment, also has the cvt oil been changed?

The more information you can provide will make it a lot easier to diagnose.

 

No mods.
Accel is smooth, Not jerky.
No abnormal sounds.
Gas used is 89, consistently. Same as my 2009.
The CVT fluid has not been changed.
Engine oil changed regularly. Using a full synthetic since the first change.
All the regularly scheduled maintenance has been performed.
No mechanical issues to remark on to date other than that sluggish acceleration.

 

I would clean your MAF sensor, change air filter, get that cvt fluid changed and start using 91. Guarantee that max will wake up after that.

 

TBA, I had the same problem with my 2010. I was using high octane gas but from a low grade station because it was close to my work. A friend with a Bimmer told me to try Chevron. I did and after my second tank my performance was back. I have a k&n filter installed and I change my cvt fluid every 50k miles. When I step on the gas now my car accelerates immediately.

 

I recently had the same problem as you. For about a few months I had really sluggish acceleration. One day coming home from work, I was driving very hard in traffic in very hot temperatures. I floored the gas pedal and I heard a loud whining noise from the CVT. No check engine light came on, but I was sure the transmission was overheating and so I drove it easy for a while. The next morning I floored the gas pedal a few times, but I didn't hear the whining noise from the CVT. I drove it a few more days very hard and I couldn't replicate the same sound. Just as a precaution, I made an appointment at the dealership to change my CVT oil. I have about 98,000kms and it's never been done before. I told the service rep what had happened and they said before changing the CVT oil, they were going to scan the tranny for any codes. No codes came up and they went ahead with a drain and fill of the CVT oil. After picking up the car, I floored it and I was so shocked. The car accelerated like a bat out of hell. It was like driving a brand new car again.


If you never changed your tranny oil, I highly recommend it and I'm pretty sure that is the reason your car feels slow.

 

Actually that might be part of the problem too. I know Nissan says that the fluid is good for 100k miles but at 53k I checked mine and didn't like the color of it. At that time I decided to change it every 50k miles. I say try the gas first and if you don't notice a difference then have the fluid changed. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Could possibly take a few fill ups to feel a difference in performance since the ecu has adjusted to 87 octane. I know many say they put regular in and don't feel a difference from premium, but I tried regular a few times on my 2010 and felt it right away, car ran like poop and never used regular again

 

TBA also see the recent thread about the cvt failure from corollaulev. There is a tranny filter on this car. My personal opinion is the fluid should be changed every 40-45k. Thats alot of miles and speeds on thr cvt belt and internals. Think about it. We dont let the engine go over 3 or 5k. Its relatively cheap and worth every penny. I picked up my 2011 with 36k and changed my cvt fluid at 45k due to whining and loss of power. Never had a problem since. The NS-2 shouldn't cost you more than $100 if that, and its not bad to drain and refill either, there is a thread for that also. I am not a fan of the cvt in high horsepower applications and i think the maxima tips the scale a little in the wrong direction, but i do enjoy it for what it is and drive it in all modes.

 

Thanks for the direction - I'll check out that thread too.

I have no conceptual issues with the CVT in and of itself. I think it's a pretty cool idea and nifty bit of engineering to make it work especially with the HP that's running through it. I still love a manual transmission and use the manual mode on mine almost daily. But for where I live I like an automatic better, plus my wife physically can't work three pedals anymore. I love my wife more than I love a manual transmission.

All cars need some TLC and maintenance. If changing the CVT fluid occasionally is what's needed, that isn't a big deal to me. I can remember not so long ago doing a LOT more regular work on cars.

 

Please let us know if this helps your stich. I have the same thing when coming around the corner I feel like the pedal is kinda dead and doesnt want to give me any torque unless I push it down a lot further than I think is necessary.

I'm thinking of doing the same to mine -- Anyone have suggestions for a Canadian cleaner for the MAF sensor I would really hate to bust it up. Any precautions etc?

I don't think we have the CRC stuff up here

 

Any updates with this man?