I’m looking into buying a z.
So when i was test driving this one automatic z with about 40k miles, i noticed that with moderate acceleration the trany switches from 2nd to 3rd gear at about 5-6k rpm, is this normal or is it a sign of the trany wearing out?

The reason why I though that was strange is since both my altima and maxima switch to 3rd at lower rpm’s with the same type of acceleration.

thanx

 

Aggro_Al!

Blah, he's not here yet: lemme give you the short answer.

The Z's tranny is a sport oriented tranny and therefore will hold the gear longer to get more efficient acceleration. I really doubt that it's wearing out as in stock form the tranny/engine have shown to be near bulletproof.

 

It depends on how hard you're accelerating. With very light throttle pressure it tends to shift at very low rpms, getting up to 5th gear at around 30 mph. If you floor it, it'll wind out the gears (more or less) so shifts at high rpms are not uncommon.

 

Plus, the auto tranny "learns" it's driver and adjusts itself acordingly. You may notice after driving one for a few days that it becomes more responsive. If someone else drives my car for more than a dozen miles or so the tranny reacts way different to me when I get back in the drivers seat. The longer you drive it the better it becomes...and the longer someone else drives it, the longer it takes for it to adjust back to you.

 

I think your just on crack. :P

Oh and to answer the posters questions, yes this is normal. Basically if you floor it, it will do near redline shifts. If you barely put any gas it will do low shifts like 2k.

 

The tranny definately "learns" the habits of the driver. It is as advanced, if not more so, than the best autos out there such as the Mercedez Benz 7-speed auto and the Porsche 5-speed Steptronic.

 

Lol it probably does.. i just wanted to hate on Santacruzslick :P.

 

I wish I knew how it "learns" and what events trigger what..

 

http://www.siemensvdo.com/com/pressa...ticleID=06006e

http://www.indiacar.com/index2.asp?p...on_systems.htm

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...rticle_id=2574

 

Aggro_al.. You are a damn fine human being! Thanks for those articles!

 

Or you could get a stick and shift at whatever RPM you want to

 

Unless your really on the gas I wouldn't think it would shift that high, even if it was taught by someone with a lead foot.

Or you can get the 5at and move the shift-**** to the right an inch and shift it when you want also.

 

Man...I'm gone for less than a day and all this happens. LOL
So...all my responses combined to one...

Cloudy: In your face! LOL
Amnbex: Thank you for backing me up...
Aggro_Al: Way to link it up yo(translation=nice links)
BigMoeTaki42: Umm...no. LOL
KenWH: Exactly...

 

You know what I was just thinking about this problem. For example, your wife or girlfriend wants to drive the 5AT occassionally (okay, I wouldn't let them drive it but there are those that might) it would suck because the car wouldn't know who was driving or else you'd have to spend time re-teaching the tranny everytime the driver changes.

What do you think of this idea? Integrate a code into seperate key fobs or have some type of biometric in the door handle or steering wheel so that the transmission can save and run seperate profiles for different drivers. Just a thought.

 

I've thought of the same thing. But that's the type of feature I would expect to see on higher end cars. Unless other people drive your car A LOT then you may not even notice it. After you drive it for a little while it re-adjusts.

 

yea it wasnt even close to aggressive acceleration, thats why i was surprised of the high shifting point.
thanks for ur help guys

 

LOL FU! You've won this one... but just this once...

 

I wish automatic Zs weren't in production... ever

 

Me 2.. then i wouldnt of got an auto, and would have got a Manual... i wish i would of had a choice .

 

I just totally dislike the whole idea of "teaching" my car anything. It's a machine and it should respond the same way per input no matter what... As in I step on the pedal a certain amount and it will always respond the same way each time. The driver's "computer / brain" is the best tool... they should leave this other adaptive learning crap out. Fortunately I drive a stick but thats my 2 cents.