Is your downshift giving you whiplash?

[BusyBee]

Help!

I took delivery on my automatic Z two weeks ago. It’s been in the shop getting tint, ppf and ceramic coating so I’ve only had chance to drive it twice but the downshift seems a bit intense. I noticed on my first drive home that the downshift felt different but I didn’t pay much attention, I was too excited. I thought it was the big 400 hp engine. But on my way home last night it was a big thud. So much so that after I regained control of my neck from whiplash, I had to look and see if my husband may have tapped my bumper since he was following behind me. Admittedly, I was going downhill each time I thought something didn’t feel right but even on flat roads it’s a little strong. For context, I only have 27 miles and I had it in Standard mode. And don’t come at me for buying an automatic instead of a manual.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[West Aussie]

Help!

I took delivery on my automatic Z two weeks ago. It’s been in the shop getting tint, ppf and ceramic coating so I’ve only had chance to drive it twice but the downshift seems a bit intense. I noticed on my first drive home that the downshift felt different but I didn’t pay much attention, I was too excited. I thought it was the big 400 hp engine. But on my way home last night it was a big thud. So much so that after I regained control of my neck from whiplash, I had to look and see if my husband may have tapped my bumper since he was following behind me. Admittedly, I was going downhill each time I thought something didn’t feel right but even on flat roads it’s a little strong. For context, I only have 27 miles and I had it in Standard mode. And don’t come at me for buying an automatic instead of a manual.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I haven’t got a Z …gave up waiting but @MCN1SMO was talking about his auto shifting …he may be able to weigh in?

 

[Brock]

Help!

I took delivery on my automatic Z two weeks ago. It’s been in the shop getting tint, ppf and ceramic coating so I’ve only had chance to drive it twice but the downshift seems a bit intense. I noticed on my first drive home that the downshift felt different but I didn’t pay much attention, I was too excited. I thought it was the big 400 hp engine. But on my way home last night it was a big thud. So much so that after I regained control of my neck from whiplash, I had to look and see if my husband may have tapped my bumper since he was following behind me. Admittedly, I was going downhill each time I thought something didn’t feel right but even on flat roads it’s a little strong. For context, I only have 27 miles and I had it in Standard mode. And don’t come at me for buying an automatic instead of a manual.

Has anyone else experienced this?

We here at the Forum don’t judge. Yay you got a Z!!!!. I will check into this. If I find something, I will post a reply.

 

[SavedByFaith_]

Yup, low speeds / gears there is a "clunk / lag" in the downshifts.
Massive engine breaking in my expereince.

Gotten used to it, so I don't mind much any more - but for every hour driving in urban / traffic areas, i feel the "clunk" every 10-20 mins; so a handful a times per hour.

I wouldn't stress it too much.

It's also more noticeable in Sport mode compared to Standard.

 

[MindScape]

I very much notice this, I figured it was because I was so used to a CVT in my Mini & in my WRX that I just didn't know what a non-CVT automatic transmission felt like downshifting with power.. lol

Remember: Don't downshift with a passenger, you might actually give them whiplash since they won't be expecting it at all lol

 

[takemorepills]

Related data point for 9AT Z's experiencing shifting issues..... This sounds a lot like the occasional issues the 9AT Titan has.....

 

[trackratZ]

My ZF 8 speed in the Gladiator doesn't do this, smooth downshifts. Must be a Nissan thing.

 

[BusyBee]

Related data point for 9AT Z's experiencing shifting issues..... This sounds a lot like the occasional issues the 9AT Titan has.....

Ugh! Don’t say that

 

[z_ya_later]

I only notice a hard declaration when I'm in manual mode and shift down to 1st gear. Like, I really need to be close to 0Mph already otherwise it will tug you backwards. I wouldn't describe it as a thud though. I have almost 1K miles on mine.

 

[Go2ZZZ]

Help!

I took delivery on my automatic Z two weeks ago. It’s been in the shop getting tint, ppf and ceramic coating so I’ve only had chance to drive it twice but the downshift seems a bit intense. I noticed on my first drive home that the downshift felt different but I didn’t pay much attention, I was too excited. I thought it was the big 400 hp engine. But on my way home last night it was a big thud. So much so that after I regained control of my neck from whiplash, I had to look and see if my husband may have tapped my bumper since he was following behind me. Admittedly, I was going downhill each time I thought something didn’t feel right but even on flat roads it’s a little strong. For context, I only have 27 miles and I had it in Standard mode. And don’t come at me for buying an automatic instead of a manual.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I noticed the downshift was a bit hard but not as hardcore as what you’re explaining. I would take it in to the dealer

 

[MCN1SMO]

One thing I learned is the Z even in full manual mode when coming to a stop like at a light ect it will downshift into 2nd then 1st for you so you rarely need to downshift to those gears your self with the paddles which can cause that premature engine brake feeling "whiplash"

 

[Andaesthetics]

One thing I learned is the Z even in full manual mode when coming to a stop like at a light ect it will downshift into 2nd then 1st for you so you rarely need to downshift to those gears your self with the paddles which can cause that premature engine brake feeling "whiplash"

This.

@OP You probably should check the owners manual. I know for the 370Z when you're in manual mode you only should be downshifting to 2nd gear and then it will automatically downshift to 1st for you. Granted the transmissions are completely different; 370Z being a 7AT and the new Z has a 9AT, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had similar behaviors.

From the 370Z owner manual:

In the manual shift mode, the transmission automatically shifts down to 1st gear before the vehicle comes to a stop. When accelerating again, it is necessary to shift up to the desired range.

 

[RicerX]

Being a 9AT Titan owner, I can tell you what is likely going to happen here -

Modern Nissan automatic transmissions have a "learning" period where they apply shift logic to the driver's tendencies. (This is how it was communicated to me from several up and down the Nissan chain). The first 1000 miles or so are the worst, but it supposedly tailors for up to 5000 miles. The 5000 mile figure was relayed to me from a regional corporate customer service/engineer/tech guy. I got to meet that guy during a serious issue with my 2017 Titan. This is relevant because the same programming exists in the newer model 9ATs as well.

The 9AT in my 2020 Titan was very clunky when downshifting to first gear. Early on, it was very dramatic like OP describes, but that didn't last very long with my truck. It was, however, at least a couple hundred miles. The truck did not like going into first gear if it doesn't have to. It would often start in 2nd or 3rd gear from a very slow roll (~3mph specifically). So much so that if you did a "go, no, wait, now go" type thing like approaching an intersection to squeeze through, you could introduce a situation where the truck would have already gotten into a higher gear and would then decide to go back into first. They have since ironed that out with a TCM software update.

Fast forward to a couple months ago - I brought my truck in for the Parking Pawl recall on the 9AT transmissions in the Frontier and Titan. With that recall, it included the TCM update I never got. It's butter smooth and responsive at the low end now. Shifts smoother now at 47,000 miles than it ever did in gears 1-3. My fuel economy took a sizeable hit, but the truck is truly excellent to drive all the way around in a way that I'm cool with giving up around 1.5MPG on average.

TLDR: I believe the symptom you're describing will iron itself out over the car's break-in period, or it will be addressed in a TSB that they'll apply if you get past, say, 1500 miles and the car is still rough shifting to first when coming to a stop. I wouldn't go running to the dealer just yet. However, if it doesn't get better over the course of driving it, I'd bring it in. The only thing that gives me some pause in that is the severity in which you described the lurch. That happened exactly once with my truck and never happened again, and it was early early in the mileage too - might have been right where yours is now.

 

[SavedByFaith_]

Being a 9AT Titan owner, I can tell you what is likely going to happen here -

Modern Nissan automatic transmissions have a "learning" period where they apply shift logic to the driver's tendencies. (This is how it was communicated to me from several up and down the Nissan chain). The first 1000 miles or so are the worst, but it supposedly tailors for up to 5000 miles. The 5000 mile figure was relayed to me from a regional corporate customer service/engineer/tech guy. I got to meet that guy during a serious issue with my 2017 Titan. This is relevant because the same programming exists in the newer model 9ATs as well.

The 9AT in my 2020 Titan was very clunky when downshifting to first gear. Early on, it was very dramatic like OP describes, but that didn't last very long with my truck. It was, however, at least a couple hundred miles. The truck did not like going into first gear if it doesn't have to. It would often start in 2nd or 3rd gear from a very slow roll (~3mph specifically). So much so that if you did a "go, no, wait, now go" type thing like approaching an intersection to squeeze through, you could introduce a situation where the truck would have already gotten into a higher gear and would then decide to go back into first. They have since ironed that out with a TCM software update.

Fast forward to a couple months ago - I brought my truck in for the Parking Pawl recall on the 9AT transmissions in the Frontier and Titan. With that recall, it included the TCM update I never got. It's butter smooth and responsive at the low end now. Shifts smoother now at 47,000 miles than it ever did in gears 1-3. My fuel economy took a sizeable hit, but the truck is truly excellent to drive all the way around in a way that I'm cool with giving up around 1.5MPG on average.

TLDR: I believe the symptom you're describing will iron itself out over the car's break-in period, or it will be addressed in a TSB that they'll apply if you get past, say, 1500 miles and the car is still rough shifting to first when coming to a stop. I wouldn't go running to the dealer just yet. However, if it doesn't get better over the course of driving it, I'd bring it in. The only thing that gives me some pause in that is the severity in which you described the lurch. That happened exactly once with my truck and never happened again, and it was early early in the mileage too - might have been right where yours is now.

Thanks for the super detail.
I can say I'm starting to feel the Trans tuning itself.

This past weekend, didn't have a single "clunk" downshift and was majority driving in <30mi / <50km zones.

My initial 1800mi / 3000km was all highway driving to bring the Z back home.

Now that I'm putting times where I'm driving low speeds and doing stop signs;
I'm feeling the car evolve week to week with the Trans.

 

[Go2ZZZ]

Thanks for the super detail.
I can say I'm starting to feel the trans tuning itself.

This past weekend, didn't have a single "clunk" downshift and was majority driving in <30mi / <50km zones.

My initial 1800mi / 3000km was all highway driving bring the Z back home

Now that I'm putting times where I driving low speeds and stop signs

I'm feeling the car evolve week to week.

Same!