Am I damaging the tranny when I hit the O/D button to engine brake? Like coming down an off ramp from the freeway and the car in front of you is going a little too slow? Also, should I be "feeling" my car down shift, as in a small but noticable "bump" or "jolt" as it down shifts? This does not seem normal to me because my wifes old celica was smooth as glass when downshifting.

 

Yeah, mine does that too. I am guessing it's not good, so I've stopped doing it.

 

Downshifting out of OD shouldn't hurt your trans but I don't understand why you don't just tap the brakes?

I can also feel my car downshift when coming to a stop. It must be normal. Or should I say normal for a Maxima. I've never owned a car that i could feel downshift. The VQ is the best V-6 in the world backed by one of the worst Automatic transmissions in the world.

 

Flipping the O/D button is just like downshifting. If you were to press the gas hard, it would do the same thing.

 

I'm thinking you guys may be going too fast to hit the O/D to make it jerk. I'm not sure. I have had 2 4th Gen Autos B4, didn't have any tranny problems. You guys keep you tranny Oil fresh?

 

awesome pic with the sig!!

 

Its not new...hehe

 

oh... I am though..

 

I like the pic also. How do you put a pic in your sig? I have pics at cardomain.com, but don't know how to put em on my sig.

 

You guys are fine. Don't worry about it.

 

I don't know about the oil, but the car is less than 6 months old...

As for going too fast, I was only going at like 30 (I think), didn't feel too good, so won't do it anymore. Does it really matter that much? Engine braking I mean.

 

Yea my car does that too. When you flick the O/D button, it jerks a little bit. I also feel it when coming to a stop too. Is it bad for your tranny if say you are going 35 mph and drop it into 2nd gear? I am afraid that it might hurt it or something....

 

What you are saying isn't true!

Many people thinks the Maxima has a bad automatic transmission, but they haven't drove cars from Hondas.


Honda has the best manual transmission (NSX, S2000, Prelude, Integras, Civics, 6spd Legend), but their Automatic transmissions suck big time! If you think Maxima has a bad auto, drive Honda's.

 

Honda auto trannies are great. Add the venom fuel comp and you get a quick shift kit as well. my frien has an Accord with an H22A, not an H22A1,(his is a jap spec with 300hp without supercharge or NOS) There the only cars you can start off at first and shift up without damaging the car. our car transmition can go out. I had Nissan replace my whole trans because it wouldn't shift for about 5 sec in red line. Then it couldn't even get out of second. My to speed was 35 mph. they sent out a nissan investigator who told the dealer to do the replacement. they took my old tranny to anylize it. Nissan knows their tannies suck. but they haven't fixed the problem yet. It's time for me to call the boy at Level 10.

 

cause he want more involvement when braking?

why would u anyway, just hit the damn brake already.

oD on means it shifts to 4th gear, y wouldu wanna do that?

 

What???

 

It shifts too slow...It shifts too early...It jerks when downshifting when you are coming to a stop...and it will blow up if you add a supercharger. Not the best record.

I should have waited for a 5-speed!

 

I think there is a difference between downshifting - that's what your car does automatically as you approach a stop - and disengaging OD. You shouldn't feel the downshift when the car does it. But when you take off OD, you are telling your car to go to 3rd right then. So, you are going to get a bit of a jerk.

But, why wouldn't you just use the brake for braking? I mean as you slow, the car is automatically reducing the gears - you just don't feel it.

The only time going to OD is worth anything is when you are getting ready to pass - it eliminates the time it takes for the auto tranny to downshift when you hit the gas.

 

I guess I am just wishing I had a manual.....

 

I know the difference...I can feel my car downshift when I approach a stop. I don't think that is normal. I obviously feel jerks when I manually downshift. I don't turn off the OD to slow, I DO use the brake. ROB'sAE
posted the original message about turning off the OD to slow. I agree to just hit the brakes.