I'm riding in my Max after I rode in my friends IS300 and noticed the remarkable differences in our autotragics... His shifted soooo smoothly that you didn't know it was shifting. Not to say that our auto suck...well they kinda do but his was much smoother.

I noticed that mine is pretty smooth when fully warmed up but shifts kinda hard when cold. First to second is the hardest shift then second to third i could still feel the shift. third to fourth seems the smoothest of all shifts. I had a toyota for years and to this day, after riding in many other toyotas, i think they have the best autos.

 

To compare the Maxima's automatic to a Toyota/Lexus automatic is like comparing a Yugo with a BMW. A lot of people here say that the Maxima's automatic is fine, but once you feel how smooth a Toyota's automatic is, you will know (like you do) how smooth an automatic should be!

 

Personally, I like the sharp-crisp shifts, and am looking forward to more of that when I get my Valve Body upgraded. I like to feel my car shifting, feels sporty. But Eric is right, you cant compare the Max Auto to a Lexus!! People have soft, comfortable luxary in mind when buying a Lexus.

 

Yeah, there's something about a tranny computer that isnt 15 years old in its programming. Hello shift logic.

 

Agree. Even my sis' 2000 Corolla shift better than my '97 SE (I think), although my Max's engine is more powerful, quieter, smoother.

After I did the T-Tech ATF flush at Jiffy Lube last week, the shift is a lot smoother than before. You might want to give it a try.

 

Nissan's automagic just suck IMO. I drove my sister's '00 Accord V6. The shifts in her car felt more firm than mine. Face it, our autos just suck compared to the other imports autos. Although, a VB recalibration will do wonders to out automagics.

 

A GOOD valve body upgrade complimented by a tranny cooler and the hunt for 5spd's is ON

 

Well, i had an older GM 4 speed auto mated to my 3100 v6 and i don't think a worse auto has ever been invented. compared to that my max shifts like a dream. I don't think the max shifts rough at any time (but my tranny is new, lgive it time to start slipping), but it shifts very slow. I can watch as the tach slowly drops and then engages. It's like half to a full second for WOT shifts. Is there any way to increase shift line pressure or is the VB mod the only way to go? I'm looking for new ideas b/c i'm in college and need this car and can't afford the 500 or so for that mod and shipping and losing a car for a few days. When i was at clubgp they had somethign that allowed you to vary the pressure of the shifts, from soft to firm and of course the firm was faster. anythign comparable in maxima aftermarket?

 

How much did that ATF flush cost?

 

nice name, autotragic lol

 

Jiffy Lube charges $90-100 for the T-tech service.

 

Thing is, my autotragic doesn't slip...no slip at all, just rough shifts when its cold. I get worried that someday, i'll need to replace the tranny. I have the cooler, and I replace the fluid every 15k but i bet the tranny will be the weak link in the car.

 

do a transmission flush and fill it up with mobil 1 ATF and some automatic conditioner......

That should do the trick! If still doesn't help, try the oil cooler....