Automatic 2-1 rough downshifting

cg370z · 04-14-2009, 02:55 PM

I have the 7AT, and when i slow down at a stop sign or stop light, the transmission will shift from 2nd to 1st and the entire car will jerk like when you downshift a manual without syncro-rev matching. Has anyone else with the 7AT noticed this???? Will this go away after i put some miles on it? i have about 1000 miles already. Any help or advice would be great, i am planning on contacting the dealer about it, but i wanted to hear from anyone else on the forum who might know something that i don't.

THANKS!

spearfish25 · 04-14-2009, 03:07 PM

I have a 6MT so I can't comment specifically. However, perhaps I can start the discussion and be of some help.

First, this is occurring on an automatic downshift performed by the car? ie, you're not shifting from 2 to 1 on your own? If YOU were doing the shift, I'd tell you it's unnecessary to downshift from 2 to 1 while the car is still moving...just shift to 1st once stopped.

Second, you might be able to circumvent this by shifting to neutral before coming to a complete stop, much as you do in a manual transmission. I haven't driven the 7AT in the 370Z, but many paddleshifters go to neutral with a 'double' paddle pull (ie both at the same time). If you did this when coming to a stop, it may avoid the issue.

The most help will of course come from those who have the 7AT and I'm sure you're waiting for their input...

wstar · 04-14-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cg370z

I have the 7AT, and when i slow down at a stop sign or stop light, the transmission will shift from 2nd to 1st and the entire car will jerk like when you downshift a manual without syncro-rev matching. Has anyone else with the 7AT noticed this???? Will this go away after i put some miles on it? i have about 1000 miles already. Any help or advice would be great, i am planning on contacting the dealer about it, but i wanted to hear from anyone else on the forum who might know something that i don't.

THANKS!

Well, I can reassure you that your car isn't broken. My 7AT does it as well, and a few others have commented on the same. It's "normal".

That said, you can alleviate this by changing your behavior. Leaving it in D instead of M when coming down to a light helps, as does flipping it into neutral. You generally only notice it on slow deccels (like coming down to a light in heavy traffic), you'll never notice a problem when you're driving this car the way it wants to be driven (why on earth would you want to bring a Z to a complete stop? that's no fun!). Save M-mode for when you're really driving, and use D-mode in traffic. Your transmission, your gas mileage, and your passengers who no longer have to endure the 2-1 downshift jerk will thank you

Amon · 04-14-2009, 03:27 PM

I have the 7AT as well, and I dont seem to have this issue. Are you letting the car downshift itself, or are you downshifting?

wstar · 04-14-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon

I have the 7AT as well, and I dont seem to have this issue. Are you letting the car downshift itself, or are you downshifting?

He's talking about when you leave the shifter flipped to the left in "Manual" mode and come down to a stop very slowly, like at a traffic light. You start in a higher gear, and the car downshifts for you (very late, and very jerky by the time it gets down to the 2-1 shift). It's pretty noticeable.

Amon · 04-14-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

He's talking about when you leave the shifter flipped to the left in "Manual" mode and come down to a stop very slowly, like at a traffic light. You start in a higher gear, and the car downshifts for you (very late, and very jerky by the time it gets down to the 2-1 shift). It's pretty noticeable.

Hrm, I hadn't noticed that, but I have a habit of just putting it back over into D when coming to a stop. I'll try it out on lunch!

marcussoori · 04-14-2009, 04:36 PM

You can shift into neutral in manual mode with the double paddle pull? Wow! Can anyone confirm this?

Oh wait, I have an auto. I'll check it out tonight...can't wait!

New license plate idea: MY F355

spearfish25 · 04-14-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcussoori

New license plate idea: MY F355

I just drove home and had an F355 in front of me. It was driven by a woman and I sucked her doors off as I passed her getting onto the highway

marcussoori · 04-14-2009, 07:22 PM

I just checked, and there is no way to shift into neutral when in manual mode on the 370Z auto transmission.

If I am incorrect, please let me know...

As for the F355, I know it's almost behind the times performance-wise (and definitely in reliability and maintenance), but it's about the looks, sound, and history of the marque and car for me...

wstar · 04-14-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcussoori

You can shift into neutral in manual mode with the double paddle pull? Wow! Can anyone confirm this?

No, you can't. I really wish there was an easier way to access neutral in the 7AT while in M-mode, but there isn't. When I referenced shifting to neutral earlier, that means pushing the shift lever to the right (back into D), and then forward a notch into N.

cg370z · 04-14-2009, 07:51 PM

I'm talking about dull "D" mode not manual mode. it downshifts really rough automatically.

joeyz10 · 04-14-2009, 08:37 PM

when i am on drive mode i don't have any jerking on 2nd to 1st. only on M mode.

spearfish25 · 04-14-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

No, you can't. I really wish there was an easier way to access neutral in the 7AT while in M-mode, but there isn't. When I referenced shifting to neutral earlier, that means pushing the shift lever to the right (back into D), and then forward a notch into N.

The high-end sportscars allow the double-pull neutral. Last time I saw it in person was an Astin Martin Vanquish.

frost · 04-14-2009, 08:41 PM

< another AT owner who has experienced the "stoplight jerk"
It's enough to where I avoid the paddles unless I'm doing "spirited driving"

juan05 · 04-14-2009, 08:49 PM

thats why you get maual lol jk idk contact your dealer

04-14-2009, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
cg370z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 99 Drives: 2010 370z Rep Power: 16	Automatic 2-1 rough downshifting I have the 7AT, and when i slow down at a stop sign or stop light, the transmission will shift from 2nd to 1st and the entire car will jerk like when you downshift a manual without syncro-rev matching. Has anyone else with the 7AT noticed this???? Will this go away after i put some miles on it? i have about 1000 miles already. Any help or advice would be great, i am planning on contacting the dealer about it, but i wanted to hear from anyone else on the forum who might know something that i don't. THANKS!

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04-14-2009, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I have a 6MT so I can't comment specifically. However, perhaps I can start the discussion and be of some help. First, this is occurring on an automatic downshift performed by the car? ie, you're not shifting from 2 to 1 on your own? If YOU were doing the shift, I'd tell you it's unnecessary to downshift from 2 to 1 while the car is still moving...just shift to 1st once stopped. Second, you might be able to circumvent this by shifting to neutral before coming to a complete stop, much as you do in a manual transmission. I haven't driven the 7AT in the 370Z, but many paddleshifters go to neutral with a 'double' paddle pull (ie both at the same time). If you did this when coming to a stop, it may avoid the issue. The most help will of course come from those who have the 7AT and I'm sure you're waiting for their input...

04-14-2009, 03:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Amon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370z Black AT7 Rep Power: 16	I have the 7AT as well, and I dont seem to have this issue. Are you letting the car downshift itself, or are you downshifting?

04-14-2009, 04:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 17	You can shift into neutral in manual mode with the double paddle pull? Wow! Can anyone confirm this? Oh wait, I have an auto. I'll check it out tonight...can't wait! New license plate idea: MY F355

04-14-2009, 07:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 17	I just checked, and there is no way to shift into neutral when in manual mode on the 370Z auto transmission. If I am incorrect, please let me know... As for the F355, I know it's almost behind the times performance-wise (and definitely in reliability and maintenance), but it's about the looks, sound, and history of the marque and car for me...

04-14-2009, 07:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
cg370z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 99 Drives: 2010 370z Rep Power: 16	I'm talking about dull "D" mode not manual mode. it downshifts really rough automatically.

04-14-2009, 08:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
joeyz10 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 248 Drives: 09 370z AT/ RRSS 08/ Rep Power: 17	when i am on drive mode i don't have any jerking on 2nd to 1st. only on M mode.

04-14-2009, 08:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	< another AT owner who has experienced the "stoplight jerk" It's enough to where I avoid the paddles unless I'm doing "spirited driving"

04-14-2009, 08:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
juan05 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: west palm beach Posts: 372 Drives: nismo 370z black. Rep Power: 16	thats why you get maual lol jk idk contact your dealer