Hey everyone,
My latest concern with my maxima is when I first start the engine - only happens once a day, when I FIRST turn on my car. As I drive down the road, I'd have to say for about a mile I feel like I'm driving a stick and not very good at it. Every gear change jerks the car so bad that if I had a cup on the dash it would jump off. After that mile or so it gets smoother and smoother to the point where you can't feel it shift the rest of the day.

Now, why does this only happen when the car is cold? Or even more so, sat overnight? Is my transmission going? (I've read a bunch of articles and now I'm scared)

I've got a 2004 5AT SE 49K

Thanks for any help in advance!
-Mike

 

Mine does too.

 

Well I mean, ****, it may be normal, but I never realized it before, nor have I ever driven another CVT.

 

I let my car warm up and get out of the "CHOKE" mode...

I say about 3 mins i just let it sit there.. in that time i use my california car cover brush and get all the dust off...

Try letting it warm up... see what happens... if it continues bring it to a dealer under warranty

 

Suppose I don't have extended warranty, am I still covered do you think? I bought my car used.

 

Nope... i almost sure its 3 years 36k

 

ps. its whichevr comes first ... in your case its the miles...

 

Dammit. Well, do you think it's a problem or that it's normal? If it's a problem, what's my course of action?

 

Take it to a shop.. NOT THE DEALER... tell them what you are feeling in warm up..

Its just like a person ... it needs to get up and get that blood moving before you can just goto work...

be easy on it when its still warming up..

let it sit for a 2 mins and just idle.. and dont get on it till the water temp has gone up to about half or a little below...

hope that helps..

 

I don't think it's normal.

The power train warranty is 5 yrs 60000 miles.

Call a dealer and explain the problem.

Then you will better know your options.

I have never had a problem like this even in -12 degree or +100 degree weather and my car has never seen a garage

 

I'll take both of your advice..

I'm going to call a dealer and see if I am still covered, if I am, I'll bring it in. If not, I'll visit a shop. Either way, until I do that, I'll let her warm up for a minute or two

 

I would say bring it to the dealer and explain your situation, you may could wing it under the powertrain warranty.

However, on a side note, how do you ride the car during first inital ignition when it's completely? I have always heard that it is wise to not rev your engine much at all when it's cold, meaning you should drive very conservatively until it gets to normal temp. The new M5's seepdometer automatically re adjusts it's RED line meter according to the engine's temperature, when it's completely cold, the red line meter goes down to like 4 or 5 instead of the 8 (or what ever it is). I wished the Maxima had that, that would be cool.

 

First check you transmission fluid for level, not low, color,red not brownish and smell not burnt odor.

 

I think that's what I'm going to end up doing, and yes I drive pretty carefully when I first start my car..

thanks for your help!