[Jwb70]

Quick question.... I am new to the Murano and have a question about the "Ds" (sport mode). I know moving the shifter to the right bumps the RPMs up quite nicely for accelerating and braking. But my question is if it is okay to shift to "S" while also applying the accelerator. In other words, if I feel I'm starting out with a lack of power, can I then move the shifter over to "S" while I'm applying power (with the gas pedal pressed) without bothering the transmission in the long run?? A reviewer on eopinions seemed to suggest he used this mode quite frequently when accelerating and when braking. Just want to make sure it's okay to do frequently, at a variety of speeds, and while the gas pedal is in use. Jeff

 

[njjoe]

Jwb70-

Welcome to the forum.

There is no evidence to indicate you will damage the CVT with frequent use of the Ds setting.

When I first got my MO I used the Ds setting to play around a bit, then noticed the CVT does a good job all on it's own. I have never seen any value in using "L".

-njjoe

 

[Tyler_Canada]

Just to be clear, you do not have to release the accelerator to shift to S or L, but it states clearly in the manual that you must NOT accelerate while shifting. Cruising at a constant speed or decelerating is ok.

 

[Jwb70]

Thanks for the replies!!

I think the manual actually states that one should shift only "....after releasing the accelerator pedal." But that does not necessarily make sense for an automatic in this case. And I based my usage off of the review in Epinions regarding performance by Rich Vergo. But I'm new to the Murano so I was curious on other opinions. Thus far I've enjoyed this "Ds" setting when needing to get up to highway type speeds quickly, or rapid accelaration up a hill. I also think it could really save on brakes in the long run.

Jeff

 

[Tyler_Canada]

If you start using it for deceleration (engine braking), you'll notice a "surge" around 10mph. That's just the torque converter unlocking, nothing to worry about.

 

[Kris]

First when you switch form D to Ds or even L you are not changing the “gears”. What you are doing is sending a request to the ECU to select a different RPM/speed curve. ECU is smart enough and will not let you hurt engine!

Braking using CVT. I did it only when driving on a long, steep hills. It worked well.

However something to consider: brake pads replacement - $200, CVT replacement - $6,000. You do the math….

 

[zebelkhan]

However something to consider: brake pads replacement - $200, CVT replacement - $6,000. You do the math….

You beat me to it.

 

[Jwb70]

Are you saying it's harder on the CVT to use "Ds" for braking, or that using that mode frequently at all would cause the CVT to be more at risk for going out? I'm not understanding then why frequent use of that mode for braking would put the CVT at risk. Recall that trucks, in a sense, do that very thing every time they brake so that their brakes do not over-heat.

In terms of using the "Ds" mode while also applying the pedal, I'm thinking the owner's manual just gave the statement so that the driver is not surprised by a sudden change in speed. What was said regarding the ECU made total sense.

Jeff

 

[Gonzo]

I think what they are saying is that since the CVT is $$$ to repair or should I say replace the CVT, one should just to use brakes to slow.

Myself, I frequently use Ds to slow (with foot off gas) and go further to L if more rapid deceleration is needed (again with foot off gas).

I've always been one to let my tranny assist. I am concerned about the CVT but it has not stopped me from my useage of the CVT to "down shift".

I guess it stems from the old days when I had a manually tranny... and would double clutch when down shifting.

 

[zebelkhan]

Gonzo is right. My fear of using the CVT for anything that is not part of normal transmission operation stems from the fact that it costs a lot of money to replace the CVT (and there is no repair available either). So I am hesitant to put it to extra work if I don't have to. Having said that, on occasion I have used the CVT to slow down, but most of that has been when highway patrol has pulled behind me and I needed to rapidly slow down without turning on my brake lights!

 

[njjoe]

Just one man's opinion, but..... If Nissan thought the CVT was not up to the task of being manually "shifted" they would not have outfitted the "SE" with the manual-shift option. :roadtrip:

-njjoe

 

[Tyler_Canada]

I'm pretty sure the manual says not to "downshift" while accelerating because it might damage the CVT. Someone who still has a manual will have to check.

 

[zebelkhan]

Just one man's opinion, but..... If Nissan thought the CVT was not up to the task of being manually "shifted" they would not have outfitted the "SE" with the manual-shift option

As much as I like my MO, I don't trust Nissan to have done a great job designing Murano's power train, specifically the CVT and the AWD system. But that is just me.

 

[Jwb70]

Not to mention this is the same owner's manual that states that the vehicle cannot be retrofitted for satellite radio when the factory built a harness into the vehicle for the very purpose of adding it.

In some regards a really good owner's manual, in other regards it seems to have been written by people who were not involved with the technical details of the car.

Also, the suggestions regarding shifting don't say much for those who have the manual shifting capabilities in terms of a need to be off the accelerator for any other reason other than the vehicle would change speed to rapidly and the driver would lose control. But I believe the vehicle's computer chooses the gear based on current speed and conditions if the shift to that mode is made while the vehicle is underway.

Jeff

05 LS Deep Saphire