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Maxima 5-speed Problems
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Comments
A new visitor might be a little overwhelmed by the size of the "problems I" area.
Mark
Dave Z
1. I will try to come up with some short and effective description of the fuel-cut (or uncontrollable throttle) problem. If you can think of something let me know. This should be on the front page.
2. There would be another page (I have 5 MB of free space on the server) that describes other problems. At this moment uncontrollable throttle seems to be the most important.
3. If we can attract attention from other web cites we should do that ASAP. Davezny, what cites are you referring to? I would really like to contact them. Hopefully we can get some “free advertisement” for our cite. Right now I am using the following META TAGS to make the site visible for search engines: "Nissan, Maxima, new, car, engine, recall, lemon, shopping, V6, automatic, manual"
4. If you want to participate, contribute, criticize, etc. please send e-mail to MH3023@hotmail.com I’ll do my best to replay to every message. If you need my mailing address, send me e-mail. I feel it’s not a good idea to post it here.
Kostya.
Joe
- Anthony
I also mentioned about the guy who posted hitting someone in the maxima.org board. If I can use that story, it is more evidence for me. I also have the rep recorded on a message from my answering machine saying that Nissan refuses to do anything more regarding this matter. I am thinking about using a lemon law lawyer here in NYC. They work on continguency, and it is almost always the manufacturer who will have to pay the fees.
I think I have a lot of evidence that I can use to defeat Nissan. In the end, all I want is a new Maxima to replace mine since I am plagued with all sorts of problems with it, and a fix for our uncontrollable throttle released to the public.
The rep is supposed to call me back to set up time for the DTR to reset my car, but I am going to refuse. I will ask for her supervisor since I will advise her that I will be going to court and I need the name of someone in charge. If they have to look at the car again, I will make sure that they take the car and give me a loaner vehicle so I do not miss work.
BTW, I have about a dozen or so links to a bunch of different sites regarding Lemon Laws and consumer rights regarding it. The sites also have state by state breakdowns of what justifies the use of the Lemon Law. Once I speak with the lawyer, I will see how I will procede and if I will release letters to the public on this situation.
Dave Z
I find the fact that I cannot roll one inch or two kinda annoying, but not a safety issue.
If you look at Nissan, the reactions of many other car companies on Edmunds forums, or Ford with the tire recall, you see a Corporate pattern of denial. These large companies refuse to recognize the problems their customers have, espeicially if these problems are systemic and epidemic.
The idea that a car company figures it can absorb the lawsuits of a couple of deaths (even children) rather than implement an expensive engineering change is criminal. I hope you folks get justice.
This place seems like a good deal if you decide to fight Nissan. They use a law called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that is different then normal lemon laws or arbitration. This way, it makes it harder for the manufacturer to "loophole" their way out of the case.
I have contacted them, and will keep all posted as to what I intend to do in the near future.
Dave Z
- Anthony
Sorry for the double post
Even after I spent months figuring out the mechanism through which this driveability problem is manifested (ie. too much air through the idle control valve), Nissan doesn't even care.
NISSAN DOESN'T CARE! 5-speeders are the [non-permissible content removed] children of Nissan... we only exist so they can advertise 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. They don't give a rats a** if the car needs a fix because there aren't enough of us to make it worth bothering with.
The auto industry is in a mini slump right now. For example, Diamler-Chrysler recently posted disappointing earnings, and everyone is aware of Nissan's financial problems. Therefore, Nissan's customer service could easily get worse, not better!
Joe
Dave Z
Although I followed the posts regarding the fuel cut problem, as a new stick driver (1000 miles) I thought that most of the jerkines was due to my lack of skill. Well, yesterday I drove my brother's '98 5 speed Hyunday Accent. The difference is night and day, the Hyunday is so much more driveable, especially in the 1st and 2nd gear. It's sad that Nissan couldn't design a 20K car as well as Hynday designed an 8K car (at least in this aspect). I showed my brother how a constant RPM of 2000 could not be held in Neutral in my car, and he found it very weird (he's been driving only stick for over 15 years). On the other hand, when my neighbor drives my car, it's smooth as silk, I don't know how he does it. As mentioned in many posts, driving style makes a big difference. Anyway, my short stint in my brother's Hyunday showed that there is clearly a problem with the Maxima.
I doubt that Nissan-USA has even informed Japan yet about these complaints. Their whole purpose in life is to tell their Japanese masters that "everything is fine".
Joe
Is it that when you rev the car up to 2 grand that the rpms go too high or just the opposite...if you try to hold the car at 2k the rpms drop....
I take it the majority of the problems is driving the car very slowly in 1st gear.
I've read Bigs findings a few times and they make sense (the mechanical aspect of it0
So is it basically the car is undriveable in low gear at all? I'm interested as I love the aspect of a 5 spd with such a potent engine but not at the expense of rear ending someone every day in traffic...heh
I guess my main point of the question was the 2k rpm test and didnt want it to sound like I never read his excellent findings on this issue.
I plan on taking a 5spd out this week to see for myself I guess..I drove a stick for 15 years prior to my automatic 2K so hopefully I can tell if there is a big difference between the 5spd Max and the Celica GTS I had.
The driver can't just match engine rpm with the cars ground speed... it either wants to compression brake aggressively or accelerate, but nothing inbetween.
My knowledge about emission systems and car mechanics is zero. But what I can tell you is that from a driver's prospective it happens exactly what Big says in #263: at very slow speeds (1st gear), you cannot keep a nice, uniform, slow speed. The car either wants to accelerate or (engine) brake. In order to keep some control, I have to drive with the clutch semi-depressed (is this the technical term?) all the time, or shift into a higher gear as soon as possible. Yes, there should be some engine braking when you remove your foot from the accelerator in the 1st, but not the neck-breaking amount I see in the 5 speed Maxima. This is less of an issue in higher gears for 2 reasons, I think: 1) The higher gearing 'smooths' changes in RPMs and 2) The car's huge inertia mechanically takes over what the computer tells the engine, and 'pulls' or 'drops' the engine RPMs to match the vehicle's speed. I don't know if this makes sense, but that's how it feels.
Daniel
Joe
I'll keep you posted.
Bruce...
What's the trick? How are you able to keep a low, uniform speed in 1st? Please elaborate.
Daniel
Joe
The only thing that shifting to 2nd gear does is mask the problem. It's still there, but you don't feel it as much due to lower gearing. And shifting to 2nd does absolutely nothing for the annoying rpm increase between shifts.
Guess we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
Bruce...
Joe
All those in favor of the position that the fuel cut issue does, in fact, exist, say "Aye". All those who agree with Joe's position that the fuel cut issue does NOT exist, say "Nay".
I'll go first.
AYE!
Bruce...
daniell, I think you stated in an earlier post that your neighbor was able to drive your car smoothly. A Maxima is not going to drive like a Hundyai or other economy car with a small engine with little power and compression, so perhaps driving style and/or skill or experience and/or expectations make a difference also. bigk200 has also theorized that driving style may have something to do with ones perception of the problem. Where in Ohio are you?
Since I am in Ohio also, perhaps we could get together and compare cars?
Anybody else want to vote (davedzny, warrenul, opimax, etc.)?
y2kse - I vote Aye, of course.
Daniel
It appears that there is something wrong with he 2K Maxima:
1.) Many who are happy with their car will often admit that they have to modify their driving style.
2.) Many who think their car is OK admit that their car cannot be driven as smoothly as an automatic.
First, why should anyone have to modify their driving style for one particular brand of car? Second, I believe that a 5-speed can be (and should be) driven as smoothly as an automatic. If you can't, then there is something wrong.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE. Their sole purpose in life is to round-file all complaints and keep them hidden from Japan. They are certainly not interested in solving customer complaints. They will NOT listen to customers and they try to make customers feel like they are stupid idiots.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE....
I'm still waiting for them to prove me wrong, and they haven't even lifted a finger yet.
Nissan-USA is a JOKE.
Big....you're whining now...lol. That is the way the car is....if you're that unhappy, just sell it already ! Most are very happy with their Maximas, manual & auto. To say that Nissan doesn't care, is redicules. You think that Japan doesn't have a clue what complaints are being lodged by American owners....you're wrong...as I've told you in a past post. And to think for a moment, that nissans going to find a problem...correct it, and replace everyones ECU, ICV, or any other part for that matter, you're sadly mistaken. Some of us, as do many Maxima owners, have no problems driving their cars....what ?? We're ALL used to it ??...lol..hardly. So...here's my point:
I'll repeat it...If there is, in fact, a problem with the Maxima.....give them a chance to find, and address it. If you want it to go away PRONTO.....find another car.
1) My car cannot be driven smoothly in 1st gear while maintaining a constant 1,500 rpm.
2) Engine rpm increases between upshifts with the throttle fully disengaged.
For those of you who are confident that these phenomena can be simply attributed to driver error, I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is. Come and drive my car. If you can prove me wrong, I'll pay you $100.00. If you can't, you pay me $100.00.
Any takers?
Bruce...
I am betting that one of the major magazines will eventually level some serious criticism at Nissan about this issue.
Sadly, it won't matter. Nissan will continue to keep their head stuck in the sand. They must like it down there, just like Firestone.
check out the new layout at
http://www.NissanMaximaProblems.com/
Follow the link
"To read more on this issue click here."
What do you think? Let me know.
P.S. I would REALLY appreciate some contribution
into the registration/parking fees I paid. So far I have only one response :-(
If you'd like to help me, please e-mail at mh3023@hotmail.com
davedzny drove my car on a number of occasions and he agrees that my car's throttle is controlable at low speeds. He also video taped my car to demonstrate to the DTR that some 2K 5 speeds have different drivability characteristics.
I have to drive in Long Island Distressway (LIE) traffic everyday and some of it includes 2-5 mph stop and go for many many miles.
I guess that my driving style and the lessened effects of the "Fuel Cut" on my particular car makes it a non issue, IMO.