Hello everybody, 1st poster here. Just got here with an '18 Maxima. How do you guys launch this thing at the track? Keep it in D and just nail it? Put it in manual mode and paddle shift it? Hold brake and give it a little gas to load the torque converter before lift off? I'm a rookie when it comes to drag racing and need advice on the launch. Thank you all.

 

I don't think your CVT will last very long if you are going to track your car....

 

And you base that on.....?

 

Why don't you go to the track with your 2018 Maxima and do what is called "Testing"?

On one run you could keep it in D and just nail it.

On another run you an put it in manual mode and use the paddle shifters.

On an other run you can hold brake and give it a little gas to load the torque converter before lift off.

Then, you can be proud of yourself for answering your own questions, as you will have the results firsthand.

 

It is a known fact, they are not as durable under normal conditions....throw in track time...look out

https://certifiedtransmissionrepair....ons-pros-cons/

Currently, only the Subaru WRX and WRX STI have CVTs for a performance application. In this car, this transmission has sport modes where it will stick to a couple set ratios to allow the engine revs to climb and fall as the driver accelerates essentially turning it into a conventional gearbox. When not operating in this mode, the CVT goes back to a regular CVT for improved fuel economy.

You roll the dice if you please with your Grocery Getter........But, I'd be nice to it. The maxima was not designed to be a track car.

 

I don't recall anyone here testing this since it was done with an '09 Maxima around ten years ago. I seem to recall that the best time was obtained by simply leaving the tranny in Drive and floorboarding it. I am a wimp who does not have the gall to try this. Maybe my being a wimp has something to do with my 35 years of relatively trouble free driving with my Maximas. Or maybe I have just been lucky.

 

Thank you for the feedback. It sounds like the CVT would not appreciate visiting the drag strip. I'm just going to home after I get the groceries.

Has anybody ever bolted on a nitrous kit for extra power?

Just kidding.

 

So you base your conclusion on a generic article. Ok. Can you show any fact the the modern Maxima CVTs are not as durable?

And in the Max the sport mode does not emulate a regular transmission any more than it does in normal. In fact, the fake shifts reduce performance.

 

CVTs have limitations, but they’re not bad. Because they are belt driven and not gear driven, they can slip under high torque conditions. Do you really believe this transmission will hold up to repeated tracking?

 

I went to the drag strip once. I left it in sport mode and in D. I removed the traction since it was pretty sticky. I stayed on the brakes and got the rpms to about 2000. I ran a 13.82 at 102. You’re welcome.

 

Damn good time!

 

Very impressive performance out of your Maxima. The question is, just how long will the CVT or any transmission will hold up to continued hard use. I believe the CVT was ultimately designed for MPGs over MPH. In normal use, I like the CVT.

 

I baby it most of the time cause I ain’t a 100% thrusty of it actually.

 

The sti does not have a CVT, but the regular wrx can be had with one. It operates just like the Maxima, rubber bands (if you will) and cones. True (from what I've read), sport# keeps the rpms up high and won't let them drop down and Sport mode will let them drop to 3K, but still not like a "conventional gearbox".
When it comes to tuning and performance mods on the wrx w/ cvt, you can do it, but the extra heat can take a toll. Insufficient line pressure, slipping, etc. You're also capped as to how far you can take it. It's not as simple as a manual wrx where you can slap an E85 kit, tune, and run all day long, reliably, with 325~350hp at the wheels.

As for launching a Maxima? When I had mine, I'd do as the other poster in this thread did, foot on the brake, rev to around 2K-rpm, left off the brake and hit the gas! I left traction control on as I'd get excessive wheel spin depending on the road surface.

PS 13.82 @102 is FAST! That'd beat a stock wrx all day long.

 

Take some advice from a Mechanical Engineer that owns a '16MAX SV with 73,000 trouble-free miles. DO NOT TRACK THIS CAR! The only thing transmitting torque in a CVT is the friction of the belt (and the fluid it rides on that carries the friction). If that belt slips even once, it's a downhill spiral until failure. If you must take it to the track, just drive it. Don't launch it, brake-torque it, or anything like that-you will be sorry (and you've been warned). Also, change your CVT fluid @60K miles to replenish the friction modifiers in the fluid (regardless of the "life remaining").

 

Thank you for the replies. Sounds like the track is a bad idea. I go easy with the car in everyday driving but I am sure some guys here hammer it daily. I haven't seen any 8th gen CVT failure threads here yet. Hopefully the thing is beefed up sufficiently to handle the 300 hp. The way people talk about the CVT they make it sound like a delicate unit that needs to be babied as much as possible.

 

You definitely have to treat it differently. A CVT transmits torque through friction, a conventional automatic transmits its torque through the meshing of its gear teeth which is a positive, mechanical connection (usually the clutch plates in a conventional transmission go bad, not the teeth on the gears).

 

Thank you for prematurely wearing out your transmission so we don't have to.

 

I don't know where I heard this, but launching is probably one of the worst things you can do to your CVT. That and pushing it too hard before it is warmed up. It's best to let the belt get a bit of grip first before applying full power. Acceleration is good but Don't hammer it from a dead stop

 

These cars make a generous amount of Horsepower for a CVT to Handle....Be Nice to your car, it will be nice to you.

 

I hate to say it but you were right. My car is getting a new transmission as we speak. Came in for something else, I mentioned a very light judder and they inspected the transmission and it had filing in the valve body.

 

It is a warranty deal? I'm sure you didn't tell them you've been on the track? Did they bust your ***** about the filings in the valve body? That's probably a dead give away you've been pounding on it.

 

Yeah it’s a warranty job. I honestly do not drive it hard other than the occasional entry on the highway or to overtake a car. No they did not bust my ***** at all. The dealership I go to are very nice and I’ve been a good customer. I’m pretty sure I had the light judder for a while, before going to the track.

 

Glad to hear they didn't give you a hard time. At least its some peace of mind with the warranty. The CVT is obviously a weak link. Motor seems pretty bullet proof. Are you going to stay off the track now?

 

Definitely.

 

Sure glad you landed right on this repair. I think this is the main reason Nissan has not added more HP to this engine. I do imagine they went for a demograhic with the sport sedan monicker and lo and behold, we drive it like that with not so great results. What i like is that this car just looks fast! And looks good whever you are! After 4 years the Kia's Toyotas, Hondas, etc are aping the look but then I have had nearly 5 years of what then was a pretty daring look. My latest 2019 still holds its own though.

 

How's that new tranny working? Any chips or scratches on the fenders from the R&R?

 

The car is still at the dealer.

 

Really sorry to hear that; I was originally being sarcastic; hope it works out for you.