Just purchased 2017 Maxima SV with 45k miles. The CVT drones very noticeably at low RPMs (1500-2000) under mild acceleration. Once up to speed and cruising the drone mostly goes away. I understand and accept some CVT noise at hard acceleration but low RPM drone seems unusual. Wife has 2012 Murano and CVT very quiet. Is this normal behavior or a problem with this gen CVT? Other than the drone it operates fine. First time poster and appreciate any guidance. Thanks

 

what do you mean drone? Like low continues bass noise?

its got that.

 

Yes, a low bass hum or drone. You say “it’s got that” meaning it’s normal? Strange since wife’s Murano is very quiet. Everything online mentions a hard acceleration drone but not at lower speed/lower RPM.

 

Yes, it has that thing. Nothing to worry it’s just the way CVT works.

 

Sounds normal to me. One of the pet peeves CVT haters have is that the sound doesn't jive with the what's actually going on. It can take some getting used. For example, that sound of the engine revving down even though you are actually accelerating.

I personally think it's cool, because I know it's getting into the ideal power band, but I can sympathize with folks that think it's not sporty (because its counterintuitive). I think Nissan should get rid of the "fake shifts" because their not gonna win over anyone that already has their mind made up. They should make it more CVTish, then it would have EVEN BETTER economy and performance.

Still, a 5.7 second launch to 60 is pretty lively for a 4 door sedan.

 

Next time you are in the car, jot down the RPMs at the speeds you are concerned about. Try to do it when at a cruise without a heavy foot. Maybe we can compare what we see for RPMs at lower speeds like 25, 30, 35, 40.

 

I don't recall hearing any kind of weird "drone" from my 17SL at any speed. This drone you hear could be tire related, wheel bearing related, exhaust system related, or any number of harmonic weirdness issues. If it is definitely different enough that you refer to it as unusual, well you do have a non-usual transmission, but I would not automatically (no pun intended) assume it is the nature of a CVT.

 

Thanks for responses. Went for drive. The bass drone is very loud and prevalent at RPM between 1600-1900 with light throttle as in city driving. Lower it’s not bad and as RPM increases over 2000 it seems to diminish. During my drive I used very light throttle holding about 1750 RPM, drone very loud. Speed increased slowly and topped out around 65 MPH. Drone never stopped. Removed foot from accelerator and drone went away immediately. RPM and speed slowly reduced of course. Just seems odd that newer gen CVT was built with this being normal. Murano doesn’t have this issue despite being last gen. It makes conversation difficult to say the least. Appreciate the help!

 

I traded my 2013 Altima for this very reason. Exact same thing that you describe. My 2017 maxima is smooth as silk down under 2k no humming.

 

You're still under warranty, take a tech for a ride. FWIW this is not normal behavior as others have mentioned. My 7th gen is quiet and runs very smooth and the 8th gen's I driven are as quiet also.

 

Thanks. I’ll have it looked at and report back.

 

RPMs seem high for the speeds you are mentioning. Mine does everything it can to drop to lowest RPM when at 30 MPH or about 1100-1200,>> RPM at 40 mph, tach reads 1300

 

I don't recall any drone or low frequency hum in my old 2010 nor in my 17 SR. I would have bet on tires except it "disappeared" when you backed off the throttle. Time to take it Nissan.

 

Do you mean engine drone? The CVT should run silent.

 

Had car looked at by dealer. Turns out PO replaced stock mufflers with cherry bomb-like mufflers. See photo. From Y back everything replaced. Silly me should have looked under car. Really a hack job. Dealer wants over $1500 for new OEM Y-back exhaust and mufflers. Found muffler shop that can install regular mufflers for $200. With resonators for $320. Question: Go with resonators or not? Thanks for everyone’s help!!

 

Yes, get the whole exhaust system with resonators. Could never understand why someone would like the bumble bee/mooing cow sound with the after market systems. Bet the car runs better when the right system is back on. Thanks for reporting back.

 

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-resonator-281971

Good info here to make your decision. I vote get the resonators.

 

Thanks for this link. Well written.

 

Wow!

 

Now that's embarrassing, but thank-you for telling us what happened. Many have reported the drone when they changed the exhaust, but no one mentioned this as a possibility to you!