Downshifting w/ Automatic Trans

[apro06g35]

I have an automatic 06 coupe with 22k miles and i noticed the other day that when i am coming to a complete stop i can feel the transmission shift from 2nd to 1st gear. When this happens the car lurches forward very slightly. Maybe i am being to hyper-sensitive but i was just looking for some input from anyone with a g35 who may or may not notice this... Thanks for any information in advance!

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Well, you are right, I think the autos will downshift automatically, and a slight thump or surging sensation may be a potential probelm But I think it's normal.

In some new mercedes, they downshift as well, just at higher shifting points, I think Nissan should've followed suit, I'd complain that the downshifting takes place at 1-1.5 K rpm, when it would be nicer/sportier to shift around 2K+ rpm, depending on your driving style .

1st gear in most Nissan/Infinities will be hard to engage above 5-10 mph... 6mt especially, but I assume the same would be true for the autos. good luck!

[G_whizz]

Sorry my friend..I don't have an autotragic.

Hang tight, more will chime in and let you know if they have the same "sensation" especially Jacko...

[Sentientbydesign]

I know this is typical on the 07/08 G35 Sedans. Kind of helpful. Kind of annoying.

[kmckis1029]

yeah i can feel the car down shift from 2nd to 1st sometimes in auto mode... i guess if depends on how im braking... if i brake really smooth i can feel it... but if i brake late or ruff i cant feel the transmission shifting down. But in manual mode the transmission will go all the way down to 2nd and wont shift to 1st til you are at almost a complete stop.

[kmckis1029]

i drive in manual mode 60% of the time and utilize downshifting to "engine brake" beofre i even hit the actual brakes.

[ACoupe]

What's this "braking" you all speak of?

[Jacko3]

G_Whizz:

Mine is a 6MT.

[smockers83]

Sometimes, under certain braking conditions, you will feel it, most of the time you won't though. Don't worry about it too much. If you are concerned about it, try downshifting yourself to make a smooth shift.

[tollboothwilley]

My G35 doesnt do this at all...i've never felt it shift down unless i was in manualmatic.

Now, my wifes 4Runner (2005) lurches a little when you come to a complete stop like you are saying...it drives me NUTS.

[smockers83]

My G35 doesnt do this at all...i've never felt it shift down unless i was in manualmatic.

I thought that was what we were talking about If not, disregard my post if its not in manual mode.

[apro06g35]

Thanks everyone for the responses dunno what i would do without you guys.. its still under warranty do you think it would be worth a trip to the dealership to get everything looked over, they havnt seen it yet because i only purchased the car about 2 weeks ago?

[av8or]

i drive in manual mode 60% of the time and utilize downshifting to "engine brake" beofre i even hit the actual brakes.

i always drive on manual mode also so i always use my engine break when slowing for a stop (speed permitting)... two reasons... one, save my brake pads... two, hear the rumble of the exhaust.. ... i might also add that nissan replaced my transmission three mos ago because of a faulty bearing and i haven't really notice that "lurching forward"... i did though before, on my old transmission... i'll keep an eye out for it...

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I shift my 6mt into 1st going well over 20 all the time! And then the back end goes to the left!

DJ

[kmckis1029]

What's this "braking" you all speak of?

if you look in your owners manual every gear has a max speed... and they recommend a use for each gear, and even use the term "engine braking"

engine braking is using the transmission to slow the car down by down shifting early.

example say you are driving 60mph in 5th gear... and you see that stop sign coming up ahead. If you drop the car to 3rd gear and release the accelerator... the car will easily slow to 40mph then drop it again to 2nd and you will drop another 20 mph... all with out hitting your brakes. then you finally hit the brakes as the transmission down shifts to 1st for you. (or you can go to first earlier too)

my very conservative rules of thumb for engine braking

above 100 down shift to 4thabove 40 down shift to 3rd40 mph and below down shift to 2nd

i never down shift to first in general

[pae9132]

i know that atleast starting at the 05's and maybe with the 04's they introduced rev matching....this was quite annoying for me when i had an 05 as a loaner...the 03's do not have rev matching thankfully so when in manumatic mode (always) i know for a fact which number is displayed...so if i slow down and leave it in (5) i won't accidently hit the rev-limiter which happened when i used the 05...but i guess you would get used to it if you drive one of the rev matching G's all the time....i just prefer to be in control all of the time..... (i know this is an old thread but i had to bring back something other then the badging discussion)

[johnparkyourcar]

especially for the 5AT, i would use the brakes instead of downshifting... maybe its just me but it feels that using the engine to brake is a lot worse than using the brakes. replacing brakes would cost a lot less than replacing your transmission...

[pfarmer]

especially for the 5AT, i would use the brakes instead of downshifting... maybe its just me but it feels that using the engine to brake is a lot worse than using the brakes. replacing brakes would cost a lot less than replacing your transmission...

For the most part I agree with, depending on the braking period (such as down a long hill).

Brakes are going to be cheaper than all of the components associated with engine braking. Likewise improved brake components often get you more bang for the buck than engine upgrades for various driving conditions such as on a track.

Back to the original post, I find that my 08 xs on occasion will downshift at strange times, such as making a slow speed turn from one road to another. I find that right smack in the middle of a turn it just may decide it is time to shift. Another is right at the start of a round about. Most round abouts here have a 20 mph limit in the round about and probably a 35 mph approach. It may just be that right at a certain speed or decel rate is the trigger. Not a big deal once you get used to it but noticeable.

Perry

[kmckis1029]

yeah you are right...but i love the great sound it makes!

plus i dont always do it... and im on the brakes a little too...

i see the g35 as a liability and i treat it that way... i keep it well maintianed... and im going to drive it til it wont start... but with the way i take care of cars... it'll be driving strong 5 yrs from now... if not longer...

if you ever have to make a sudden stop.. pop it in maual mode and down shift and brake... it saved me from this bastered that cut me off just as a light was turning red... so i my stopping distance was cut in half at an instant... when i was just going to run the yellow...

what a great car, the g35

[pfarmer]

yeah you are right...but i love the great sound it makes!

plus i dont always do it... and im on the brakes a little too...

i see the g35 as a liability and i treat it that way... i keep it well maintianed... and im going to drive it til it wont start... but with the way i take care of cars... it'll be driving strong 5 yrs from now... if not longer...

if you ever have to make a sudden stop.. pop it in maual mode and down shift and brake... it saved me from this bastered that cut me off just as a light was turning red... so i my stopping distance was cut in half at an instant... when i was just going to run the yellow...

what a great car, the g35

I would think by the time you put it in manual mode and then downshift it, that you would have been far better off simply standing on the brake. Since the brakes (assuming they are not completely out to lunch) have the ability of completely locking up (minus the effects of ABS) you would not recieve any benefit from engine braking except maybe in between the actions of ABS.

Perry

[ldstang50]

Thanks everyone for the responses dunno what i would do without you guys.. its still under warranty do you think it would be worth a trip to the dealership to get everything looked over, they havnt seen it yet because i only purchased the car about 2 weeks ago?

If its annoying to you and you don't recall it doing it before, I don't see anything wrong with going to the dealer and having it checked out. Worse case.... they say they don't know. Best case, they know it or figure it out, fix it and tell you what they did and post on here informing us what the problem was and what we do to fix it.