Anybody else hate the 7 speed transmission?

[ppan76]

I used to drive a Nissan Murano 2009 with the CVT transmission. Never had any issues with it and I liked how responsive the transmission felt.

Now that I have been driving the 2011 EX35 with the 7 speed transmission for the last 3 weeks. I must say I hate it. The -5,6 and 7 gear ratio are horrible. It takes 2-3 seconds for the car to downshift back to lower gears when you are trying to speed up or merge onto a faster lane.

I have read so many people complaining about the same transmissions on the FX, G37 and even BMW cars. This is the only thing I hate about this car. 1st to 4th gear are fine. I believe the car goes to 6 or 7 gear when driving at 40-50mph.

Last week I took the car to the dealership and they installed Service bulletin ITB12-064a (2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES). I dont see that much improvements.

Wishing we had the 5 speed trannie from the older models.

[CustomLowz]

I have the 7 speed also, and my biggest "complaint" is that 1st gear is too short. Other than that, the remainder of the gears feel fine to me. I also went from a very quick Maxima to the EX35. I understand that at the end of the day its still an SUV and not a sporty car. I have no real complaints about the transmision.

BTW, what did they do with Service bulletin ITB12-064a (2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES)? I'm dropping my car off for warranty work tomorrow, and might ask them to look into this for me.

[ppan76]

By the way before I bought my car, I test drove 4 other 2011 EX35 and I "think" they all drove the same way.

It's basically a software update.

Description: 2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES
That the customer has experienced or is experiencing:
• Harsher than expected down shifts when coasting to a stop
• Hesitation/lag when accelerating after coasting
• Hesitation/lag or harsher than expected down shifts when coming to a stop and accelerating again (rolling stop)
• Engine rev matching during moderate to heavy braking


This thread from the G37x describes exactly what I experience
2012-g37x-downshifting-under-moderate-a ... 58659.html

[CustomLowz]

By the way before I bought my car, I test drove 4 other 2011 EX35 and I "think" they all drove the same way.

It's basically a software update.

Description: 2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES
That the customer has experienced or is experiencing:
• Harsher than expected down shifts when coasting to a stop
• Hesitation/lag when accelerating after coasting
• Hesitation/lag or harsher than expected down shifts when coming to a stop and accelerating again (rolling stop)
• Engine rev matching during moderate to heavy braking


This thread from the G37x describes exactly what I experience
2012-g37x-downshifting-under-moderate-a ... 58659.html

I do notice some of those items, so I will bring it up to them tomorrow. Maybe it will help out alittle. Thanks

[AWGD8]

<------ 5 speed A/T

I drove quite a few loaner 7 speed G37x cars (2009-2013) and I hated the transmission from 1st gear to 2nd rolling from stoplight. I believe it doesn't matter if it is a 5 speed or 7 speed. I just hate driving in D for abrupt passing. No matter what car it is. Even my 5 speed EX35 is a snail to downshift in D for passing.

So what I normally do now eversince I bought the Ex35 is to use the Manual mode all the time. When I am driving on the highway and it is clear (less car ahead) i put it in D mode. then cruise normally. When I see a pack of slow cars and trucks less than a 1/4 mile ahead and I know that my speed is faster than them, I switch to Manual mode and select the gear that slightly in the begining of the Ex35 power band. 2.7K RPM. That way, when I need to speed up to avoid any cars that might cut me or whatever, my car will be responsive. It is all in the preparation. Driving needs strategy and you just can't depend on the car alone.
We are lucky enough that we have options to drive in D, DS, Manual mode with the EX. Why not use it's full potential. Manual mode will fix downshift issue and hesitation.

BTW, DS mode and torque braking from the stoplight is the best way to launch the EX35 hard. You don't really need to floor it right away. Let it slip a bit and gun it!

Maybe you want to do the Nissan pedal dance first and see if the ECU resets. Quicker way to reset ECU vs disconnecting the battery cable.

http://youtu.be/95WszTnphPI

ECU Resetting Procedures

Timing is extremely critical. If it is NOT DONE within the specify time, the ECU will not reset and the Check Engine Light (CEL) will continue to remain ON.

Operations Procedures

1. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch “ON” and wait 3 seconds.
2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.
2a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).
2b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.
3. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.
4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)
5. Wait about 10 second.
6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.
7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).
8. Turn ignition switch to “OFF” position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.
If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU.

[AWGD8]

I used to drive a Nissan Murano 2009 with the CVT transmission. Never had any issues with it and I liked how responsive the transmission felt.

Now that I have been driving the 2011 EX35 with the 7 speed transmission for the last 3 weeks. I must say I hate it. The -5,6 and 7 gear ratio are horrible. It takes 2-3 seconds for the car to downshift back to lower gears when you are trying to speed up or merge onto a faster lane.

I have read so many people complaining about the same transmissions on the FX, G37 and even BMW cars. This is the only thing I hate about this car. 1st to 4th gear are fine. I believe the car goes to 6 or 7 gear when driving at 40-50mph.

Last week I took the car to the dealership and they installed Service bulletin ITB12-064a (2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES). I dont see that much improvements.

Wishing we had the 5 speed trannie from the older models.

Most car manufacturer programmed the transmission to reach the highest gear available for better gas mileage. Our transmission can learn our driving habits. So sometimes, you have to gun the gas pedal and tell the transmission who's the boss!

Believe me, the 5 speed is bullet proof compare to the 7 speed, but, but, butt...
The gearing ratio is not sporty enough. The 3rd gear is freaking looooooooooooong.... It will take a while to build the RPM to pull!!!!!
Here is the proof.
You can skip to 1:30 for 3rd gear pull.


http://youtu.be/Q_Cwsjb-ccE

[CustomLowz]

So I dropped my EX35 off at the dealer this morning for other warranty work, and mentioned the "issues" with the transmission and mentioned the TSB that is covered under my warranty (still have the original warranty, and an extended) so they said that they will look into it and apply it for me. After that, I may even do the reset procedure that AWGD8 shared after.

[ppan76]

So I dropped my EX35 off at the dealer this morning for other warranty work, and mentioned the "issues" with the transmission and mentioned the TSB that is covered under my warranty (still have the original warranty, and an extended) so they said that they will look into it and apply it for me. After that, I may even do the reset procedure that AWGD8 shared after.

Let me know your results. I will unplug the battery overnight and see if anything changes. I believe with the TSB update, the ECU is reset

[CustomLowz]

So I dropped my EX35 off at the dealer this morning for other warranty work, and mentioned the "issues" with the transmission and mentioned the TSB that is covered under my warranty (still have the original warranty, and an extended) so they said that they will look into it and apply it for me. After that, I may even do the reset procedure that AWGD8 shared after.

Let me know your results. I will unplug the battery overnight and see if anything changes. I believe with the TSB update, the ECU is reset

It probably is, but I will share my results. Im not expecting a night and day difference at all, but anything is nice.

[CustomLowz]

Description: 2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES
That the customer has experienced or is experiencing:
• Harsher than expected down shifts when coasting to a stop
• Hesitation/lag when accelerating after coasting
• Hesitation/lag or harsher than expected down shifts when coming to a stop and accelerating again (rolling stop)
• Engine rev matching during moderate to heavy braking

so I picked up the car last night, and I think I noticed a difference. The car shifts smoother, especially when coasting then having to accelerate to merge onto the highway. Overall I think its a lot better than before. Also, I was able to have it covered under warranty which makes it another bonus

[ppan76]

so I picked up the car last night, and I think I noticed a difference. The car shifts smoother, especially when coasting then having to accelerate to merge onto the highway. Overall I think its a lot better than before. Also, I was able to have it covered under warranty which makes it another bonus

Good to hear it worked for you.

Yesterday I used AWG8 technique on the highway and it worked much better than AUTO mode.

[AWGD8]

Description: 2011 INFINITI EX35, 2009-2011 FX35; SHIFT RESPONSIVENESS ISSUES
That the customer has experienced or is experiencing:
• Harsher than expected down shifts when coasting to a stop
• Hesitation/lag when accelerating after coasting
• Hesitation/lag or harsher than expected down shifts when coming to a stop and accelerating again (rolling stop)
• Engine rev matching during moderate to heavy braking

so I picked up the car last night, and I think I noticed a difference. The car shifts smoother, especially when coasting then having to accelerate to merge onto the highway. Overall I think its a lot better than before. Also, I was able to have it covered under warranty which makes it another bonus

That is great!

[AWGD8]

so I picked up the car last night, and I think I noticed a difference. The car shifts smoother, especially when coasting then having to accelerate to merge onto the highway. Overall I think its a lot better than before. Also, I was able to have it covered under warranty which makes it another bonus

Good to hear it worked for you.

Yesterday I used AWG8 technique on the highway and it worked much better than AUTO mode.

I really do not trust D mode if the highway is packed!
If you hate shifting, you can use DS mode when you see a pack of cars ahead.
DS will keep the RPM right where the torque curve starts.
All you have to do is shift the shift knob to the left from D slot.

Just an FYI, I know you guys already knew this, but when using the Manual Mode, you don't have to release the gas pedal when shifting, just make sure when you shift , you shift at the right RPM about 3k RPM. The way I do it is when I shift , I have the gas pedal press halfway. (Normal driving) Spirited driving, I have the gas pedal at 3/4 press during the shift and floor it. You should not feel jerky like the way you drive a regular manual transmission. If you shift too quick and the RPM is a bit low, sometimes I could feel kick (thug sound) from behind, so shift at 3 RPM.


There is a slight delay from shifting the shift knob and feel the transmission engage or the torque starts to pull, I normally shift quickly ahead of time , about fraction of a sec before it hits 3K RPM. I do not wait till I see the tach at 3K, and shift. Same goes for spirited driving. This is why Manual mode in A/T transmission has a quicker 0-60 MPH due to not loosing the momentum ,gas pedal is not release during shift, and minimised drivers error.