Hey guys, I'm new here and this is my first post. I really need your expertise because I can't figure out what's wrong with my Maxima. Here are a few details:

1. 2009 Nissan Maxima S
2. 309,000 kms
3. Just changed CVT Transmission Fluid (NS-2)
4. No performance mods except for an after market exhaust (merely for sound)
5. No Check Engine Light
6. 0 Codes (OBD-II Scanner)

So, I recently changed my CVT Transmission Fluid from Mr. Lube here in Canada (a few weeks ago) after which the car running like she was brand new. Instant acceleration, gliding through. I was at a junction and a car was about to hit me and I had no choice but to slam down the acceleration to get out of the way. Luckily no one was hurt but after that I've noticed the Maxima refuses to accelerate the way it used to. It struggles to accelerate, even the exhaust sounds different. I feel the RPM doesn't go as high as it should given the speed I'm at. Even if I hit the gas pedal all the way down it takes a few seconds before it lifts off, and to be honest, I feel the engine's making a lot of noise but there isn't any acceleration to match. I've:

1. Checked the Transmission Fluid Level, it's not low
2. Changed the Air Filter (thinking maybe it was the air filter)
3. Plugged in an OBD-II Reader to see if there's anything wrong (0 codes, no cylinder misfiring)
4. Doesn't seem to have any symptoms of a bad fuel injector or spark plug (I might be wrong, but 0 codes, no check engine light, no RPM needle dancing, nothing)

I have no idea what's wrong maybe the car's in limp mode, or the fuel filter's gone bad - NO IDEA! But I'd appreciate any / all help I can get!


Thanks so much!

UPDATE:

I just checked my receipt for the CVT Transmission Fluid it seems to be an NS-3 not an NS-2. The owners manual for the Nissan says that it should be NS-2 not NS-3. Although what I've read online NS-3 is apparently backward compatible, could that be the reason I'm facing these issues?

 

Sounds to me that a coil pack may have gone south or that it is shorting out before it gets to the plug. I had one that didnt throw a code but was easy to find with a bluetooth dongle and an app called CVTz50 (yes it is a great cvt tool but it also has a function that allows you to check your plug function individually.)

Plus, the app will confirm operational aspects of your cvt.

Please let us know what you find.

 

I don't think the NS3 is compatible...

 

+1
Since your problem started after the NS-3 fill, I would do a change the fluid back to NS-2 a couple of times to get most of the NS-3 out.

 

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback @Richard66 @sivilyar @LtLeary

I feel the problem was with NS-3 compatibility. I did go and get it changed to NS-2 from the same (if anyone is interested in knowing Mr. Lube Canada did agree to flush it out without any hesitation). Should I give it a week before flushing it out again?

 

All depends if the change out was a flush or a drain and fill. Two big differences in the process. A flush would not be needed again. The drain and fill process only gets out 4-5 qts of oil and doing it again would get most of the NS3 out of the system. Did you change the CVT filter? It is located behind the drivers front wheel mounted on the frame. BTW how does the car run now.

 

Just a thought, was the fluid genuine nissan ns-3 or aftermarket?