General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

How good are nissan's auto trannys?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 03:54 PM
  #1  
super6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,404
How good are nissan's auto trannys?

i know the MTs are pretty good, sometimes weak 3rd gears but good overall. i was looking into getting a G35x and they only come in auto. i perfer a MT to auto for many reasons but since this is the only option here, was woundering how reliable it might be.
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 04:31 PM
  #2  
Hoooper
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
thats the 5AT, as far as ive heard they are FAR superior to the crappy 4spd tranny's of the past. havent really heard anything about those 5AT having problems all though im sure they do. to answer your question, nissan hasnt had the best auto's, but as long as you dont beat it up it lasts.
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 09:54 PM
  #3  
VIP Maxima
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
as good as you take care of them
Old Sep 7, 2006 | 06:18 PM
  #4  
SuperChris's Avatar
Infiniti 35 Double G's
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,000
From: Crystal City, OZ
240k miles...orig. engine, orig. tranny (auto); who said Nissan doesn't make good trannys???
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 05:18 AM
  #5  
89blackse's Avatar
"and falling like a rock"
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 655
Nissan autos since the vq (VE too ) and newer are great. IMO stay away from 4 banger auto's and anything VG (read, Old.)
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 06:52 AM
  #6  
maxima1380's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
just like anything else, as good as you take care of it. Have it serviced regular and it will be fine.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 09:01 AM
  #7  
Nietzsche's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,014
Like everyone else said, you take care of it and it will last. It is not weak like a honda, nor is it as solid as a gm, but it will go the distance.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 09:47 AM
  #8  
larsony's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 120
They are far better to the Acura TL trannies- that's for sure.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 12:00 PM
  #9  
Rydicule's Avatar
Don't you know who I am?
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 945
From: East Granby, Connecticut
94 auto Maxima, 256k miles, 7th Transmission in it now.
Don't drive it anymore.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 12:31 PM
  #10  
89blackse's Avatar
"and falling like a rock"
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 655
Originally Posted by 89blackse
IMO stay away from... (read, Old.)
3rd Gen powwwar
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 02:19 PM
  #11  
SinCityMaxPower's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 79
All things considered, they are decent. Some people think they suck, but you gotta remember a family car with a 4 spd automatic transmission wasnt intended to be raced and riced out.

The huge majority of people with automatic transmission problems are people like me who drive the vehicle pretty hard.

I used to have the auto, which started slippin at about 80k, So I got the 5spd swap.........I love the stick shift maxima.
Old Sep 9, 2006 | 05:54 AM
  #12  
vsamoylov
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
not the best quality.
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 03:35 PM
  #13  
wrkllc's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 50
379K on the first one, second is a junk yard special with 70k the car now has over 401k on it now. Driven everyday. 70mph at 2200rpm not bad. Log your rpms and mph at a set speed then 1 year mark it again, if the change is great it is slipping. If not then great!
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 04:01 PM
  #14  
LA02MAX's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,432
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally Posted by SuperChris
240k miles...orig. engine, orig. tranny (auto); who said Nissan doesn't make good trannys???


My mom's 2k max has over 230k on it now, and the auto is still going strong...And I agree with hooper, from what I've heard, the 5speeds are much more reliable than the outgoing 4speed autos...
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 06:39 PM
  #15  
talisman311's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 699
I drive my tranny hard, at 130k I think a carriage bearing is out in the differential because it sounds loud as all hell. Anyway, it's the auto lsd and the fluid is flushed every 30k and a drain and fill every 15k w/ mobil ATF since 44k miles.
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 07:35 PM
  #16  
!PrjctMax!'s Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (38)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,238
From: Chicago
Originally Posted by LA02MAX


My mom's 2k max has over 230k on it now, and the auto is still going strong...And I agree with hooper, from what I've heard, the 5speeds are much more reliable than the outgoing 4speed autos...
WTF?!?!?!?! A 2000 Maxima with 230k?! lol
Old Sep 19, 2006 | 09:55 PM
  #17  
AkiroS14's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17
+1 to the "it will last if you take care of it"
Old Sep 20, 2006 | 06:03 AM
  #18  
MacGarnicle's Avatar
♠♠♠♠♠
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 957
From: Ontario
Sounds like normal wear and tear. Nothing obviously wrong with them - no known defects like some cars. Karma is strong with a tranny.. years of neglect and abuse will come back and get you with large repair bills to pay.
Old Sep 20, 2006 | 03:36 PM
  #19  
SuperChris's Avatar
Infiniti 35 Double G's
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,000
From: Crystal City, OZ
Originally Posted by !PrjctMax!
WTF?!?!?!?! A 2000 Maxima with 230k?! lol
no diff. than a '99 w/240k....
Old Sep 27, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #20  
holymoly's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 438
From: Mississauga, Ontario
OK, mine is a 98 Maxima GXE 4AT with 240,000 km on or 150,000.

I always change fluid every two years, usually 40,000km - 50,000 km.

What other maintenance are you talking about?

Synthetic tranny fluid?
Old Sep 27, 2008 | 03:31 PM
  #21  
max ride 41's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,789
From: in my max, pa. :p
5th title owner on a 180,000 mile max, at 163,00 the trans went and i replaced with a 70,000 trans and shes running strong. all new fluids, mounts, suspension, belts, optima yellow top, lower control arms, bushings, ball joints, inner tie rods, rack boots, exhaust, 5 sensors, it will drive you insane at 1 point if you let it. just don't beat the crap outta of her and she'll last alot longer.
Old Sep 28, 2008 | 06:34 AM
  #22  
sascuderi's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,329
From: South Jersey
1995 auto 250,000 miles. Tranny is fine.
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 11:23 PM
  #23  
modenaf1's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,118
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by larsony
They are far better to the Acura TL trannies- that's for sure.

Amen to that. I had a 96 Taurus DOHC 24v with an AX4N tranny that went out at 120K. I thought those were quite possibly the weakest transmissions of any car out there.......until I read about people having to change the transmission in their TL's at less than 80K.
Old Oct 6, 2008 | 06:05 PM
  #24  
Scottwax's Avatar
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Hondas and Acuras with V6's had glass transmissions from 1998 through early 2004. Maxima transmissions tend to have valve body, solenoid and TCM problems more than just giving out.
Old Oct 6, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #25  
Grand_hustle17's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,825
all depends on how you care it... i went through 4 tranny's in a year n a half, my friend had his up til 170K+ miles (both 4th gens) so its up to the owner IMO
Old Oct 6, 2008 | 09:30 PM
  #26  
Scottwax's Avatar
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Apparently, Nissan is already having issues with the GT-R transmission...

http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=25361
Old Oct 7, 2008 | 04:59 AM
  #27  
holymoly's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 438
From: Mississauga, Ontario
One cool morning recently, on starting the engine was sputtering. In this rare event I usually just idle a bit, but I just kept going.

Turned out the car could not shift above 2nd gear. After parking and a second start later, all was normal.

Did the on board computer check and all was fine.

The TCM could be suspect.
Old Oct 10, 2008 | 09:02 AM
  #28  
fourstaroots's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 116
From: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted by VIP Maxima
as good as you take care of them
couldn't have said it better...
Old Oct 10, 2008 | 10:42 AM
  #29  
secondtonone317's Avatar
nycnissans
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,595
From: Queens, NY
good enough to run 10's
Old Oct 10, 2008 | 11:15 AM
  #30  
maximase86's Avatar
I love lamp.
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,696
From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by SinCityMaxPower
All things considered, they are decent. Some people think they suck, but you gotta remember a family car with a 4 spd automatic transmission wasnt intended to be raced and riced out.
Jime riced out his, and now has an auto that runs high 10's. :couch:
Old Oct 17, 2008 | 08:57 PM
  #31  
CMax03's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,587
From: Houston, Tx
Originally Posted by Nietzsche
Like everyone else said, you take care of it and it will last. It is not weak like a honda, nor is it as solid as a gm, but it will go the distance.
Who said GM made solid Transmissions! Guess you've never worked on a Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Lumina, with that piece of crap chain drive inside the trans, along with those below standard mainshaft and gears!

Last edited by CMax03; Oct 17, 2008 at 09:00 PM.
Old Oct 28, 2008 | 05:59 AM
  #32  
Maximamand's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 37
From: South Of Anywhere
recommendations on a 4th Gen and tranny care? Just a fluid change? Or more? 96 with 130k..and it does this wierd like momentary slip when cold and when warm it will like slip for a quick second when sitting at a light....thoughts?
Old Oct 28, 2008 | 08:18 AM
  #33  
hornepirate's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,014
From: Florida
transmission coolers tend to help prevent slipping
Old Oct 28, 2008 | 12:23 PM
  #34  
Scottwax's Avatar
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Originally Posted by Maximamand
recommendations on a 4th Gen and tranny care? Just a fluid change? Or more? 96 with 130k..and it does this wierd like momentary slip when cold and when warm it will like slip for a quick second when sitting at a light....thoughts?
I'd check the fluid level first. Low ATF will cause the problems you mentioned.
Old Oct 28, 2008 | 12:25 PM
  #35  
Scottwax's Avatar
That's Mr. Detail to you
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Originally Posted by hornepirate
transmission coolers tend to help prevent slipping
Not always. At least one member with a 5.5 gen put a transmission cooler on his car and when cold the transmission was slipping. Only had 15,000 miles on the car too. Lots of us 5.5 gen owners have soft or slipping shifts (especially the 2-3 shift) when the car is cold, but the shifts are perfect once the car warms up.
Old Nov 2, 2008 | 01:31 PM
  #36  
tejstar01's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 24
I think it really depends on how the tranny has been taken care of or how much additional power has been put through it.
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 03:25 PM
  #37  
pezfallout's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 42
As far as the VGs go, your engine will live through at least two transmissions. If you bought it used and are the 4th or 5th owner, I wouldn't bank on it lasting much longer.
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 12:09 PM
  #38  
302Xplorer's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 23
From: Richmond, Va.
The 5.5th gen I just purchased had the tranny replaced under warranty just before it expired.
Old Nov 15, 2008 | 10:16 PM
  #39  
EEMaxima's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 243
From: College Station, TX
Nissan auto trannys are pretty solid. Assuming you don't race around like a maniac they should last the life of the vehicle. Not nearly as worrysome as Honda automatics.
Old Nov 17, 2008 | 01:58 AM
  #40  
A33Black's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 77
I got my 00 w/ 72K miles. Immediately did a flush and fill and another one 500 miles later. Now do a flush and fill regularly every ~15k. Haven't had any issues so far and at 103K miles. Also have no crazy mods or FI.

As someone said earlier, I think some of it depends on how it is/was treated..



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:00 AM.