2010 G37 AT Downshifts

[exit9]

Hello all,

Just bought a 2010 G37 a week ago and I'm starting to notice that when slowing down the transmission downshifts not as smooth as I would expect. It seems like it's shifting down too early into the lower gears causing the tach to jump thus coasting/braking becomes jerky when it downshifts 4-3-2-1. I found some threads on a similar issue with the 09 models and a TSB was issued to correct it. I'm wondering if anyone else on the board with a 2010 model is experiencing something similar. The mechanic at the dealer today said that the 09s had the same issue but for the 2010s there are no TSBs. I like the car otherwise but the downshifts/engine braking becomes annoying real fast in stop and go traffic.

thanks.

[sniper27]

i experience a little of that...but not tooo bad to a point it is annoying. but i also came from an Audi with DSG and that is the smoothest shifting transmission i've ever experienced. you literally can't tell when the car upshifts or downshifts, at any gear.

[G_whizz]

Hello all,

Just bought a 2010 G37 a week ago and I'm starting to notice that when slowing down the transmission downshifts not as smooth as I would expect. It seems like it's shifting down too early into the lower gears causing the tach to jump thus coasting/breaking becomes jerky when it downshifts 4-3-2-1. I found some threads on a similar issue with the 09 models and a TSB was issued to correct it. I'm wondering if anyone else on the board with a 2010 model is experiencing something similar. The mechanic at the dealer today said that the 09s had the same issue but for the 2010s there are no TSBs. I like the car otherwise but the downshifts/engine breaking becomes annoying real fast in stop and go traffic.

thanks.

I can honestly say I can't recall 2010's having this problem but I know it was a problem in 09 as the tech stated.

Have you checked yourself??

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/tsbs/tsbsearch.cfm

Make sure you have your VIN.

Welcome to NICO!

[exit9]

I checked for TSBs, complaints, recalls and defect investigations and nothing shows up for the 2010 model relating to the transmission.

[zozoka1212]

It is probably just the ECU /TCU learning your style of driving.

[busterbrown]

I have 1,800 miles on my 2010 sedan and haven't any complaints with the transmission shifting roughly when I am slowing down.

[exit9]

It is probably just the ECU /TCU learning your style of driving.

Sounds strange that my style of driving would cause the ECU/TCU to do that. I simply want it to downshift without blipping when trying to brake smoothly or coast. Not sure what kind of driving tips would tell it to operate smoothly.

[zozoka1212]

If somewhat you drive spirited it would shift more aggressive. If you drive gentle no hard acceleration it will change it.

To be honest I think it is stupid that car manufacturers went this way. They should just left us with a switch for 4-5 different maps. For example Sporty, eco, etc

It is kind of silly to make a decision how will I drive for the next 10 minutes from the driving before. Say somewhat you drive spirited for 20-30 minutes and you end up in a huge traffic. Now do I really want to drive aggressively in the traffic? Probably not.

Hope somedays they go back to that route.

[exit9]

OK. This downshifting behavior is starting to ruin the driving experience. It’s a toss up sometimes trying to stop smoothly in stop and go traffic when it blips. I’m beginning to have second thoughts about this purchase. It’s my first import and the transmission is just trying me nuts. It feels like the patch that was applied to the 09s is not in the 2010s or is not in my vehicle. Perhaps I have an early 2010 production model that missed that patch. If it does have the patch I can’t imagine what you guys in 09 model went through until the fix.

INFINITI if you are monitoring the board please look into this. When in auto mode the transmission should behave as such downshifting smoothly. If I want engine braking at the 4-3-2-1 downshifts I would have bought a 6MT or put the transmission in DS mode.

[joe603]

Have you taken it to the dealer yet?

[Tim30250]

My 09 had the same issue. I brought it into the dealership and they reprogrammed something that was supposed to correct the problem. I guess it did, kinda. It got a little smoother, but not a whole lot. I've actually gotten used to it (car has 4500 miles now) and don't even really notice it anymore because I've just accepted it. I would like it to be a bit gentler, but then I remind myself that I bought a sports sedan, not a luxury cruiser, so I need to forgive a little harshness here and there. Overall, I think the downshifting is a small price to pay for the fantastic performance of this car.

[exit9]

Have you taken it to the dealer yet?

Yeah. Took it in with 620 miles on it. Tech said he saw the same behavior with the 09s but there's no TSB for my VIN so I'm SOL.

[Johnny6Speed]

I tried out a used A/T, really to see how the car had held up after 45K miles. Couldn't stand the A/T, but that's probably because I've become a bad A/T driver at this point. Love my 6-MT - I'm now used to the clutch and shifting beautifully!

[cjs37xs]

Have you taken it to the dealer yet?

Yeah. Took it in with 620 miles on it. Tech said he saw the same behavior with the 09s but there's no TSB for my VIN so I'm SOL.

Complain more to your dealer. Let them know you are unhappy. Hopefully you are not the only one. As the car gets sold more, then hope that there will be more just like you with the same issue. That is what happened with the '09. Mine got the update, and since then it has been better...not great, but better. Also, you adjust to it, but it shouldn't be that annoying.
It was said previously, just remember that it is a sports sedan, so it is expected that there should be some aggressive feel to it as well. Let them know that it is overly aggressive to you...

[zozoka1212]

Yeah try to talk to the service manager. Make sure you keep your cool and ask why is it unacceptable behaviour on the 09 and have a TSB and the same behaviour is ok on the 10 model. Tell him you think it is unsafe to drive it and you'd like to take it in. They can keep it till it is fixed.

It is always sucky to be the only one with the problem.

[kmckis1029]

my down shifts are fine on my 2010, very smooth... but my up shifts have now become more aggressive, but thats my fought

im loving this car!!!!

[exit9]

Ok. I'll try to be vigilant with the service manager if the behavior doesn't change. I just hit 1000 miles yesterday so I'm hoping that the car is just tight and needs some miles on it to smooth things out.

Question. If it's not a software issue are there any mechanical items I can suggest to the tech to check? Maybe some kind of linkage to adjust?

[BryanWSD]

I have about 750 miles on my 2010 G37 Sedan, and mine AT is smooth on both upshift and downshfit, at least so far. Maybe it's just an issue with your car?

[exit9]

I have about 750 miles on my 2010 G37 Sedan, and mine AT is smooth on both upshift and downshfit, at least so far. Maybe it's just an issue with your car?

Possibly. I may have to test drive another G with the service manager or tech to see if it my situation is unique.

[zozoka1212]

^^^ That is a good idea. If it is just in your car than it is simple for them too. They can't ignore the issue.

[Bravo1]

I have experienced what you are talking about with the transmission not downshifting smoothly as well. It does seem to have gotten better over time, so it may be partially learning your behavior. Have had a few times where it took way too high a gear under acceleration and I have had to dip in a little further than needed in order to get moving.

For the downshifts it almost seems like the transmission is trying to rev match when it is not necessary for the situation. It's like it can't make up its mind if it wants to be sporty or racy.. maybe with more miles it be a little smarter.

[exit9]

I have experienced what you are talking about with the transmission not downshifting smoothly as well. It does seem to have gotten better over time, so it may be partially learning your behavior. Have had a few times where it took way too high a gear under acceleration and I have had to dip in a little further than needed in order to get moving.

For the downshifts it almost seems like the transmission is trying to rev match when it is not necessary for the situation. It's like it can't make up its mind if it wants to be sporty or racy.. maybe with more miles it be a little smarter.

OMG. That's exactly what I'm experiencing. In bumper to bumper traffic, I have to really toe in to get moving after the downshifts have settled. That i can deal with. But the pure downshifts from 4-3-2-1 looks like it's trying to rev match and stopping becomes unsettled when the rpms blip and engine braking kicks in. I find myself almost stopping short sometimes so now I ease off the brake when I feel it's going to blip. The transmission seems to be programmed only for very aggressive high speed driving but once you're below 35 mph and trying to be smooth in stop and go traffic it's still trying to be sporty/racy which make the car feels clunky every time it blips.

[exit9]

Update: Did a test drive in another G. The rpms did blip in that one but not as high (sometimes 500-600 rpms on mine) so the downshifts were relatively smooth with no noticeable engine braking. I think mine may be a little overly aggressive but I'm hoping that with more miles on the odo it may loosen up.

[Bravo1]

I have about 2100 miles on the Odo, so maybe that is why I notice things being slightly different. But also AWD vehicles can sometimes make a driveline issue seem much worse than it really is with all the differentials doing their thing... I know a modded EVO I use to autocross would be pretty darn brutal in first gear. Atleast when all of this is occuring it doesn't appear to be impacting speed, but it gives the sensation that it is. Now if we were experiencing turbo surge I would be going nuts... that is a scary feeling to let off and still be accelerating for a fraction of a second afterwards.

But yes I do agree it appears to be primarily a transmission programming or learning issue. I assume you are running the transmission in DA and not DS when this is occuring? Personally I would like DA to be a little softer with no rev matching but have DS shift relatively hard with plenty of rev matching.

[exit9]

For the most part the transmission is in normal drive mode. I only switch to DS or use the paddle shifts when doing quick maneuvers or when i really want to slow down at high speeds without touching the brakes. Sometimes in stop and go traffic I'll keep it in 1st gear just so it won't blip.

[joe603]

...when i really want to slow down at high speeds without touching the brakes.

I don't recommend doing this! The brakes are a wear item...better to have the wear on the brakes which are cheap to replace vs. the engine which is not cheap to replace!

Unless you don't want to have your brake lights on so a cop wont see you slowing down...aka SPEEDING

[telcoman]

You didn't mention where you purchased but give Todd a call in the Infiniti Service Department 732-389-1200 and explain your problem to him. He may me able to assist you.

Telcoman

[telcoman]

...when i really want to slow down at high speeds without touching the brakes.

I don't recommend doing this! The brakes are a wear item...better to have the wear on the brakes which are cheap to replace vs. the engine which is not cheap to replace!

Unless you don't want to have your brake lights on so a cop wont see you slowing down...aka SPEEDING

Hey Joe

I downshift all the time and got 85k miles on my original set of brakes

Telcoman

[joe603]

Hey Joe

I downshift all the time and got 85k miles on my original set of brakes

Telcoman

My father thinks like you...I keep telling him that brakes are cheap and meant to stop the car. Downshifting just causes extra strain on the engine.

[Bravo1]

Wow 85k on your original brakes? Lol even in my Accord they didn't last 40k but then I also had to change tires every 20k on 400+ tread rated tires... for some reason I guess I am hard on wear and tear items. But to me unless if you are racing or driving down mountain roads, then engine braking probably isn't that recommended. Now the engine braking for cops deal is totally acceptable lol.