My car just gave me a scare

[MattB]

I haven't driven my car in almost two weeks, and today when I was driving around I went to accelerate from about 30mph and a very harsh downshift followed. All A33s seem to shift a little hard compared to something like a Lexus ES, but this was a harder shift than normal. It felt like the computer got caught flat footed and was quickly downshifting to make up for it. I drove the car around for a bit more and the behavior did not repeat itself, the car upshifted and downshifted smoothly even at high speed. I've only had the car for about three and a half months and the car checked out fine before I bought it so I doubt I have anything to worry about, but does anyone have any reason I should think otherwise?

[audtatious]

Mine has done it from time to time since I bought it new. Seems like a normal occurance at this point.

[MattB]

On a sort of related topic would it be a good idea to have the transmission fluid changed if it hasn't already been done? The car has 64K on it and I was thinking about having a drain and refill done the next time its in for an oil change.

[nismo1219]

i think your in the clear...probably just one of those unexplanable phenomenons, but who knows. my car does that sometimes but when it does, its very rare. once again, IMO your okay. just make sure its not something that "becomes a habit!"

[maxhopper]

I believe the transmission should be serviced every 60' miles, so you are due.

[nismo1219]

good call, believe it or not mine is actually at nissan today for its tune-up!! irony??

[MaximA32]

Now is a good time to have a transmission flush done. Most shops have a machine that will do a power flush. A drain and fill won't remove the build-up on the valve bodies and such whereas a power flush will remove some but not all of the build-up on vital components.

[audtatious]

I had mine flushed right before 70k I believe. I will need another one next year.

[maxhopper]

I had mine flushed at Collins Nissan, in Louisville, right before NOPI(early September); and I believe it cost me in the neighborhood of $130 for the Nissan Matic-D flush(OEM fluid).

[MattB]

Now is a good time to have a transmission flush done. Most shops have a machine that will do a power flush. A drain and fill won't remove the build-up on the valve bodies and such whereas a power flush will remove some but not all of the build-up on vital components.

I've heard that a power flush can actually do more damage than good...or is that just on high-mileage cars?

[maxhopper]

I've never heard that in the 4+ years I've worked in dealership service departments (unless there is something wrong with the trans to begin with). Most dealerships will put in some kind of conditioner or friction modifier when doing the flush.

[MattB]

I was advised against a full power flush on my old '95 G20, but that was with around 160K on it. They warned that it could damage the seals.

[MaximA32]

In my shop, we generally don't mess with anytyhing over 130k on it. We do, however, put a friction modifier in the transmission.

And no, we don't touch transmissions that have problems that present when we test drive the vehicle.

[Dubzino]

Yea I also heard powerflush is not that good. From a few sources so I can second that.