Is it normal to have 1st-2nd and/or 2nd to 3rd shifts harder when the car is cold? The shifting is effortless as soon as the car reaches operating temperature.

Or is this the sign of a weak and aging transmission?

 

i beleave this is normal mine does the samething

 

mine does the same, i think. I'll update tommorow as temperatures up here are below 0. it sucks though lol - don't you just wish the car was PERFECT :P i know i do

 

Yes, this is normal. If you are not running a CVT transmission, then switch to synthetic transmission fluid. This will help to alleviate those hard shirts on those cold days.

 

Hate when that happens, too much starch?

Couldn't resist.... welcome to the Org.

And yes, it is Nissan "normal" for the hard shift between 2nd and 3rd. My 02 auto SE did the same thing.

 

How hard is it to change transmission fluid?

 

Oh no...dang Yeah, I had both of my lower wisdom teeth yanked and also had some complications with them as well. So, I am drugged up pretty good and not always on form.

Thanks for the welcoming.

 

There is a TSB that says there is hard shifting when tranny is cold. Talked to Nissan cause I thought there was a prob and the mechanic said it was normal and they tune the trans to shift a little harder to give it a sporty feel, at least on the SE.

 

My 89 and 98 Maxima's did the same too. The 89 had over 180k miles and shifted the same way for at least 100k.

 

There is a temperature sensor in the trans that increases the line pressure when cold, hence the harder shift.

 

TRANSMISSION SHIFT SHOCK WHEN COLDNTB04-045.pdf

hope this helps

 

I wish TSB's were free repair work...my stealership charged me for my last TSB work.