2013 Sedan odd "downshift"

[Keyan]

Not sure what to think about this, my new 3.5 SL has kind of a weird "downshift" at times, when the CVT is going from more acceleration to more of a cruise mode like when you are accelerating out of a stop not very hard. It seems to almost shake a little almost like the CVT is slipping or something. I only have 440 miles on it so maybe it is just break in motor and transmission weirdness. I know my 2010 could do some odd things at times, but this feels a little different. Maybe it is just normal for the CVT and I am being picky because it is new. I hope the new less friction CVT isn't so friction free that it slips...

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Keyan - Thanks for posting. I believe you are one of the first to post about their 2013 Altima, including an issue with the car. I would not hesitate to return to the dealer and discuss it with them. It's disappointing that Nissan is apparently still having issues with the CVT and even more disappointing that they don't give an option for manual transmission.

Let us know how you do with the car. Besides this issue, how do you like the new Altima?

[Honva]

If your car is manufactured in July or earlier, there is a CVT control module reprogram update as well as a ECU reprogram update applicable to your situation. Go back to the dealer to check if they have updated your car yet. In some extreme cases, Nissan would even replace the CVT if they suspect damage to it.

[Keyan]

It was fresh off the truck when I got it early this month, so I doubt that is it. It may just be me barely feathering the throttle and confusing it when coming out of a stop. When I am more aggressive it never has an issue. I guess the V6 just doesn't want to be babied. I am only at about 450 miles so it may just be break in type stuff as well. If it keeps acting up at the first oil change I will ask the dealership about it.

Overall, I really like the car. The suspension is noticeably better, no lateral body movement over bumps and it doesn't become unsettled. It is less harsh than the SR. Already noticing better fuel econ, and with the friction reduction making more WHP you can tell when you let it loose, although I haven't done a full mash it to the floor yet until I am through the break in. Turning it feels really solid, the new suspension that allows the rear wheels to turn slightly really works, it corners really well.

I have the SL no tech, new seats are way better, even though their advertising campaign for them is an eye roller. The gauges are really great, pics don't do them justice, and the second LCD screen is good for info and lets you control most aspects of the car, light auto-on sensitivity, time on after car is shut off, etc...and you can finally set it to unlock the doors when you put it in park.

Pandora integration is nice, text mode doesn't work with iPhones and will break epically if you don't shut it off. The voice recognition is nearly useless as you have to tell it "next entry" to cycle through the phone numbers for a contact and there is no in car phone book, it just pulls them from your phone, so no way to set a quick dial of favorites. I just use Siri to make phone calls as it is faster and far more accurate and it works through the Bluetooth link to the car.

Wheels are finally 18" low profiles on the 3.5, and gone are those horrible turnaza tires. Headlights are projector and have a sharp cutoff like most do.

The most impressive and noticeable thing right away is how much quieter the car is. I mean, it is really, really quiet inside. Almost no road noise at all compared to the 2010 sedan.

So far I am happy with it, I'll see if the CVT settles in as I break in the car or if there is actually a problem, it may just be driver error and/or me just being more alert since the car is new.

[Honva]

If it is just slightly, then most likely is the normal push when the engine gets gas again. To save gas, Nissan chose to cut off gas supply when the car is cruising to stop. However, when the car slows down to a point that the engine speed is too low, the engine would get gas again to maintain its own idle. Since the Nissan engine has so much torque, one could actually feel the slight power push when that transition happens.

[Keyan]

That is what that is?? I always wondered what the deal was when it felt like it was pushing you when trying to stop.

I have always noticed that, but this uneven feeling is during light acceleration.

[Keyan]

Does the Altima have a torque converter? I wonder if that has to do with it. Either that or it is just shifting aggressively down to get more efficient as fast as possible. Or I am nuts.

I checked the sticker and the start of the code on the lower right is 20120914, so I assume that is 9-14-2012 for the manufacture date.

[Honva]

Does the Altima have a torque converter? I wonder if that has to do with it. Either that or it is just shifting aggressively down to get more efficient as fast as possible. Or I am nuts.

I checked the sticker and the start of the code on the lower right is 20120914, so I assume that is 9-14-2012 for the manufacture date.

All automatic cars has torque converter. Altima uses lock up torque converter. If one pay attention, one can always "feel" when the lock up disengages.

The manufacture date is on a label at the driver's door, next to the tire pressure label.

Do you mean the car shift "aggressively up" to save gas? Shifting down is to have more power with higher gear ratio. Shifting up is to save gas with lower gear ratio. I might have misunderstood what your original problem is. What exactly you feel that is not right? Were you just saying the engine "shakes" a bit when you didn't give enough gas at start? If that is the case, it is normal. Just learn to give a little more gas when starting. Every car has its characteristics. Some designed for power and some designed to save gas. Sometimes, we need to learn its behaviour and adapt a little bit accordingly. Even when you drive a manual transmission, you adapt your shifting to get the most of a particular car. Cars are much like horses, one need to learn how to ride them to their best.

[Keyan]

Yeah, I think you are right. What I feel is probably totally normal for this car, between the torque converter locking and such it is probably all how it is supposed to drive.

[Honva]

This car is very aggressive to save gas and the gear ratio of the CVT is never seen on any other car. Cruising on the highway at 100km only goes to ~1600rpm. Cruising at ~50km goes down to ~1100rpm. Sometimes, a very slight up slope would pull the engine too much. If you don't like that feel, you could use Ds instead of D. The Ds mode would keep the engine at a slightly higher rpm like other cars and behaves more like other cars. Of course, the drawback is gas consumption would also be slightly higher.

[sstroudwku]

Lets see if I can answer all your questions. First, the problem you're describing sounds a lot like the cvt engine brake disengaging. The transmission uses the engine to help slow the vehicle down, concept is that it will extend the life of the brakes themselves, in my experience and opinion it actually reduces the fuel economy because it engages to often when just letting off the throttle. You can request to have it turned off at your dealer, I do it every day, all of our demos have it turned off as well. For a comparison basis I've made several identical long distant trips "dealership to training center" with the dynamic brake on and off, twice with it on I achieved 34.3mpg averaging 67mph on a 2012 2.5s Altima. Same vehicle with 2 trips to the same place and similar weather I achieved 37.4mpg averaging 71mph.

Next, yes the CVT has a torque converter. It operates just like a standard torque converter except that it enters lockout between 12-19mph depending on throttle position.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. Your vehicle does not have a TCM update, it only applies to the 2.5L. I happened to be one of the lucky few that put a new cvt in a 2013. Helped the engineers pinpoint the problem and rectify the solution with input on how to update the software to prevent the situation from happening again.

[Keyan]

Thanks for all of the info. I think I may be feeling the torque converter locking out, what I notice seems to happen between the mph range you mentioned.

[sstroudwku]

Thanks for all of the info. I think I may be feeling the torque converter locking out, what I notice seems to happen between the mph range you mentioned.

No problem, let me know if I can be of any other help. CVTs are a little difficult to get used to.

[sstroudwku]

Hey Keyan, I tried to respond to your PM but it says you have PM Receipts off, so to answer your question the sound you're hearing is the electric power steering pump.

[Keyan]

Oops, sorry about that, I should have it turned on if I am sending one. Is that a new system in the 2013 and totally normal? I don't recall picking it up before.

[sstroudwku]

Yep, it's referred to as the HEPS system. New to 13 Altima but has existed in the Quest for some time now.