CVT question
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Posts: 512
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They managed to get it to 60 in 5.7 in the latest test with a 102mph trap speed in the 1/4 mile, not bad (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ma-test-review). 5.2-5.4 can't see it happening either.
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.6 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 26.2 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 133 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 173 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.85 g
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I have a 2017 SL. Been driving it for 4 months now. I am still not truly sold on the CVT implementation. The thing I notice the most when cruising at a constant speed is the knock of the CVT when releasing pressure from the accelerator pedal and then gently pushing it down again. You will almost often feel a distinct "engaging" of the CVT, accompanied by a slight 1 time knock. It is very noticeable and has me concerned about the long term reliability of the cvt. I call it a knock because that best describes it. You could also call it a slight momentary jerk.
I tested 3 brand new vehicles and they all behaved the exact same way, so it's not an issue with the CVT on my car.
I tested 3 brand new vehicles and they all behaved the exact same way, so it's not an issue with the CVT on my car.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
In seven years with a 7th gen Maxima and over two years with an 8th gen Maxima, I have never once had the CVT shake the car at all. There is something seriously amiss with your CVT, and Nissan should either fix or replace it at no cost to you. Do not wait. You paid for a Maxima, and you should have one that works correctly.
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Sorry for repeating what I may have said already in another thread, but I seriously wonder if the performance can be pushed further by removing the fake/virtual shifts. seems like it could go faster if the engine stays full throttle. Maybe a tuner will come along to turn that off? No doubt Nissan put the shifts in because of all the CVT haters, but it seems the haters are gonna hate no matter what shift logic they put in. I can live with CVT drone if it means I'm getting full power to he wheels. Even better if it can be turned on and off, perhaps with sport mode.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Timing trials with early 7th gens proved that the CVT in normal mode was a tad quicker than manual shifting, and I would expect that to be true for the 8th gen also.
Even back before the days of the CVT, the automatic tranny usually edged out manual shifting in time trials in the Maxima. The manuals were clearly more fun than automatics, but ceased to be quicker long ago.
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From: Ottawa, Canada
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From: Brooklyn, N.Y.
I have a 2017 SL. Been driving it for 4 months now. I am still not truly sold on the CVT implementation. The thing I notice the most when cruising at a constant speed is the knock of the CVT when releasing pressure from the accelerator pedal and then gently pushing it down again. You will almost often feel a distinct "engaging" of the CVT, accompanied by a slight 1 time knock. It is very noticeable and has me concerned about the long term reliability of the cvt. I call it a knock because that best describes it. You could also call it a slight momentary jerk.
I tested 3 brand new vehicles and they all behaved the exact same way, so it's not an issue with the CVT on my car.
I tested 3 brand new vehicles and they all behaved the exact same way, so it's not an issue with the CVT on my car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
That "knocking" is not the CVT at all; you need to research "lockup torque converter"; then you need to understand the fact that when you are at the verge of lockup (after overcoming the cars forward momentum and under light throttle application), you will be "confusing" the transmission until you speed past that point.
I would encourage Vanadiel to sleep well at night. This newest Nissan CVT may not be totally bulletproof, but both the 7th gen Maxima CVT and the 8th gen Maxima CVT are proving to be dependable per publications that keep track of such things. And the few that failed were replaced with new ones by Nissan.
I will say that I have owned nothing but CVT powered vehicles for the past nine years (two Maximas) with not a hint of trouble of any kind. I have loved them. By contrast, both the last two five speed manual trannies I owned failed (broken synchronizers).
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I noticed my 17 SL doing this same thing at steady-state driving, anywhere from 20 mph to around 40 mph, and always right at the 1,100 rpm mark, which is right where the rpm likes to stay at steady-state speed. Decrease the gas a little and get a little jerk, increase a little and get a little jerk. RPM's jump about 100 each time. Never noticed this before. I have 12,000 miles on her. I've driven CVT's (Nissan) for about 11 yrs. now and never noticed this. Any others notice this problem?. I'm about to take her in for this. It does not seem right. Before I take her in maybe I should drive a few others to see if they exhibit the same thing.
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As you may know I've driven a 2007 SL CVT for the past 10 years (149,000 miles) and never noticed this jerking when gently lifting and depressing the accelerator to keep up with traffic flow.
1. Light on The Hill: Have you experienced this with your late model Max (before she was creamed), or any others you may have owned before your latest one?
2. If so do you still think it is associated with torque converter lockup? I thought that happened at about 5 mph!
3. When this event happens I'm consistently between 10 and 40 mph and every time I've glance at the tach when this happens the rpm is about 1,100-1,200 rpm and the little jerk I feel while lifting and then depressing the accelerator pedal coincides with the tack either jumping up 100 rpm or down 100 rpm. If I'm accelerating, no problem. If decelerating, no problem. Just at the point between the two.
4. My internal mental system is so attuned to this now that it is starting to drive me nuts.
5. PS- I'm 71 yrs. old but I still love new technology and the benefits and adventures derived there from. Just not this very slight jerking CVT in that narrow rpm band.
6. Anyone else????
Last edited by compyelc4; Nov 6, 2017 at 10:01 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
compyelc4 - It has ben so long since I was able to drive my Maxima (over a month) that I'm not sure I recall all the nuances of every situation. I do not recall any kind of jerking under any conditions or in any situation with my CVT, and can only pray that the T-bone did not affect it in any way. Hopefully, by Thanksgiving, I may once again have my Maxima back, and can rationally participate in discussions on this board.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 720
From: BRONX
Mason,
Before you make accusations that "the author doesn't understand the operation of the CVT", let me point out that a few things:
1. I have had/driven two Nissan's with CVT's before: two Altima's with the 3.5 V6..both were driven for four plus years and 60K plus miles, so I do in fact fully understand how a CVT works Over my years of driving, I have owned/driven: 3 Mustang GT's, a Camaro, a 280Z and Honda Prelude...I have driven enough "Sports Cars" to know what to expect from a "ground up" enginnered "Sports Car" and I know what to expect from a FWD car with a CVT.
2. I have been driving, working on/with engines and transmission of cars for 25+ years...and I have an engineering background. Sometimes it is better to "keep one's mouth shut and be thought foolish...than to open it in a public forum an remove all doubt as to the fact one is foolish."
3. The Maxima and Ecoboost Mustang have similar levels of acceleration, with each producing power differently...and utilizing that power to accelerate differently as well. The Maxima is "quick"...around a 6 second 0-60 sprint and a 14.2- 14.3 quarter mile at/around 100 MPH. On the other hand, the EB Mustang is "quicker"...and "edges in" on being considered "fast": 5.3 second 0-60 sprint and a 13.7- 13.8 quarter mile at/around 99 MPH. Stock times for both cars are so close, in normal everyday situations, one will be hard pressed to really "feel" the difference. I drove my Ecoboost for 13 months and I have had my Maxima for 13 months...they both perform similarly. However, with the addition of one modification (Ford Racing Tune for $700.00), the Ecoboost Mustang picks up around 30 horsepower and 30-40 foot pounds of torque. This simple modification reduces the EB Mustang's 0 to 60 time to a tad under 5 seconds (4.9ish) and the quarter mile sprint to low-to-mid 13's (13.3 to 13.5) and produces a terminal velocity of 102-103. Ford "left a lot of the table" in the factory tune of the Ecoboost. The Maxima is, to be honest, has very little aftermarket support for "Go Fast Parts"; yes, Stillen has a CAI and a cat-back exhaust, but those two modifications together won't yield more enough power to compare to that the tune provides the EB Mustang...and one will spend more money on the CAI and cat back exhaust system than the tune.
The biggest difference is that EB Mustang IS A SPORTS CAR...it is engineered to be one from its genesis...the Maxima is NOT...period...end of story and end of argument. Feeling "Sporty" and actually have the engineering chops to "be a Sports Car" are two very different aspects completely. And if/when the Mustang GT is ushered into the conversation to be compared to the Maxima, in a head-to-head "Sports Car" comparison...the Maxima isn't even close. The Maxima is a GREAT CAR for what it was designed and engineered for/to be: a small/smallish four door sedan with good power, efficiency in MPG, coddling its occupants in near-luxury levels of comfort, with ample amounts of technology and providing competent handling handling, with a well-engineered suspension. When compared to cars that are indeed "Sports Cars" with direct/traditional geared transmissions, either manual or a well-designed fast shifting automatic, the Maxima's CVT isn't "sporty", feels disconnected and from a power standpoint, reduces power (from a parasitic loss percentage") from the Maxima's front wheels (actual horsepower to the ground) than a traditional manual or a modern fast-shifting automatic.
Mason, if you prefer driving the Maxima over the Ecoboost Mustang, I have no issues with that at all; in fact, I am very happy for you, in that you truly enjoy the Maxima. But, for the reasons I listed in this post, the Maxima isn't a "Sports Car" nor it is really "sporty"...let's be honest, it is a "four door sedan"...hard to be "Sporty" with four doors...no matter how "arresting" the body's exterior is. Mike...as I said, go and drive the Maxima and make up your own mind; just be aware that the Maxima ISN'T A TRUE SPORTS CAR...no matter what Nissan says or how it is marketed. If you want an authentic, engineered sports car, the Maxima isn't "the droid you are looking for."
Before you make accusations that "the author doesn't understand the operation of the CVT", let me point out that a few things:
1. I have had/driven two Nissan's with CVT's before: two Altima's with the 3.5 V6..both were driven for four plus years and 60K plus miles, so I do in fact fully understand how a CVT works Over my years of driving, I have owned/driven: 3 Mustang GT's, a Camaro, a 280Z and Honda Prelude...I have driven enough "Sports Cars" to know what to expect from a "ground up" enginnered "Sports Car" and I know what to expect from a FWD car with a CVT.
2. I have been driving, working on/with engines and transmission of cars for 25+ years...and I have an engineering background. Sometimes it is better to "keep one's mouth shut and be thought foolish...than to open it in a public forum an remove all doubt as to the fact one is foolish."
3. The Maxima and Ecoboost Mustang have similar levels of acceleration, with each producing power differently...and utilizing that power to accelerate differently as well. The Maxima is "quick"...around a 6 second 0-60 sprint and a 14.2- 14.3 quarter mile at/around 100 MPH. On the other hand, the EB Mustang is "quicker"...and "edges in" on being considered "fast": 5.3 second 0-60 sprint and a 13.7- 13.8 quarter mile at/around 99 MPH. Stock times for both cars are so close, in normal everyday situations, one will be hard pressed to really "feel" the difference. I drove my Ecoboost for 13 months and I have had my Maxima for 13 months...they both perform similarly. However, with the addition of one modification (Ford Racing Tune for $700.00), the Ecoboost Mustang picks up around 30 horsepower and 30-40 foot pounds of torque. This simple modification reduces the EB Mustang's 0 to 60 time to a tad under 5 seconds (4.9ish) and the quarter mile sprint to low-to-mid 13's (13.3 to 13.5) and produces a terminal velocity of 102-103. Ford "left a lot of the table" in the factory tune of the Ecoboost. The Maxima is, to be honest, has very little aftermarket support for "Go Fast Parts"; yes, Stillen has a CAI and a cat-back exhaust, but those two modifications together won't yield more enough power to compare to that the tune provides the EB Mustang...and one will spend more money on the CAI and cat back exhaust system than the tune.
The biggest difference is that EB Mustang IS A SPORTS CAR...it is engineered to be one from its genesis...the Maxima is NOT...period...end of story and end of argument. Feeling "Sporty" and actually have the engineering chops to "be a Sports Car" are two very different aspects completely. And if/when the Mustang GT is ushered into the conversation to be compared to the Maxima, in a head-to-head "Sports Car" comparison...the Maxima isn't even close. The Maxima is a GREAT CAR for what it was designed and engineered for/to be: a small/smallish four door sedan with good power, efficiency in MPG, coddling its occupants in near-luxury levels of comfort, with ample amounts of technology and providing competent handling handling, with a well-engineered suspension. When compared to cars that are indeed "Sports Cars" with direct/traditional geared transmissions, either manual or a well-designed fast shifting automatic, the Maxima's CVT isn't "sporty", feels disconnected and from a power standpoint, reduces power (from a parasitic loss percentage") from the Maxima's front wheels (actual horsepower to the ground) than a traditional manual or a modern fast-shifting automatic.
Mason, if you prefer driving the Maxima over the Ecoboost Mustang, I have no issues with that at all; in fact, I am very happy for you, in that you truly enjoy the Maxima. But, for the reasons I listed in this post, the Maxima isn't a "Sports Car" nor it is really "sporty"...let's be honest, it is a "four door sedan"...hard to be "Sporty" with four doors...no matter how "arresting" the body's exterior is. Mike...as I said, go and drive the Maxima and make up your own mind; just be aware that the Maxima ISN'T A TRUE SPORTS CAR...no matter what Nissan says or how it is marketed. If you want an authentic, engineered sports car, the Maxima isn't "the droid you are looking for."
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 310
From: Ottawa, Canada
compyelc4 - It has ben so long since I was able to drive my Maxima (over a month) that I'm not sure I recall all the nuances of every situation. I do not recall any kind of jerking under any conditions or in any situation with my CVT, and can only pray that the T-bone did not affect it in any way. Hopefully, by Thanksgiving, I may once again have my Maxima back, and can rationally participate in discussions on this board.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 718
compyelc4 - It has ben so long since I was able to drive my Maxima (over a month) that I'm not sure I recall all the nuances of every situation. I do not recall any kind of jerking under any conditions or in any situation with my CVT, and can only pray that the T-bone did not affect it in any way. Hopefully, by Thanksgiving, I may once again have my Maxima back, and can rationally participate in discussions on this board.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
I will say that, Having majored in geophysics, it has occurred to me that, as much a I love my CVT, the dynamics of low speed stop and go traffic would seem to be a difficult situation in which this type tranny could smoothly handle the varying stresses and pressures involved. But so far, I have been very impressed with how the 7th and 8th gen CVTs have handled all driving situations. Maybe I have just been lucky.
So sorry to hear about your ill health this year, and now your cars ill health as well. Here's hoping you have better fortunes for 2018
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,130
"You dont get the instant response like you do in the DSG". I find that my Max does have instant response. Heck, even with my C6 Vette, Auto., the response is not "instant" because it takes a half-second to downshift one or two gears depending on what gear I'm in when I mash it, and how hard I mash it. No such problem with 300 HP CVT.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 32
"You dont get the instant response like you do in the DSG". I find that my Max does have instant response. Heck, even with my C6 Vette, Auto., the response is not "instant" because it takes a half-second to downshift one or two gears depending on what gear I'm in when I mash it, and how hard I mash it. No such problem with 300 HP CVT.
The CVT is quick but does not have the neck snapping downshift that you get with the DSG.
The easy solution to this is to accelerate sooner. When i want to pass someone now i floor it before i switch lanes when with the DSG you can floor it while switching lanes. That .5 of a second makes all the difference
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When in Sport mode the throttle response becomes quicker, transmission shift points change, the steering gets tighter, and active sound enhancement amplifies the exhaust note in the cabin.
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No offense meant.
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 718
I really wish there was a way to disable the “shift points”, because I think it would perform even better if just acted like a CVT... and adjusted as fast as it could. It’s still impressive at a 5.7 zero to sixty. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s just sound effects
