How is the CVT doing for you '07 Max owners?? Not having shift points, does the CVT detract from the "sportiness" of feeling the transmission shifting gears? Does it produce the same acceleration as a shifting transmission? I've heard people say they thought their transmission was "slipping" when they didn't know they had a CVT! My transmission rebuilder told me he hasn't seen any CVT's come in for service or repair as of yet.
I'm just wondering if this is the direction a lot of sport sedans will be going if you don't opt for a manual.
I do not own a 2007 but have been looking into the CVT reliability.
Pretty much to my surprise, the CVT equipped Muranos are exceeding my reliability expectations; I have read two complaints but were traced to lubricant issues.
It seems Nissan was the first one to use cvts combined with such powerful engines.
Should produce better numbers than a regular transmission. Why? The transmission can keep the car in the location where torque (forward motion force) and horsepower (how quick torque is applied) intersect, which is the fastest acceleration times.
Read the MT comparo of the Mercury Montego AWD, Chrysler 300, and the Buick something or other. The Mercury was the heaviest and had the least HP, yet with a CVT it was in the middle of the pack for acceleration. That's the beauty of the CVT. When you slam the gas the engine will immediately be in the part of the rev band where it will give you max acceleration. Let off the gas and it will wind down for max. fuel economy.
True, as the sensation is much different than a regular transmission.
Should produce better numbers than a regular transmission. Why? The transmission can keep the car in the location where torque (forward motion force) and horsepower (how quick torque is applied) intersect, which is the fastest acceleration times.
Read the MT comparo of the Mercury Montego AWD, Chrysler 300, and the Buick something or other. The Mercury was the heaviest and had the least HP, yet with a CVT it was in the middle of the pack for acceleration. That's the beauty of the CVT. When you slam the gas the engine will immediately be in the part of the rev band where it will give you max acceleration. Let off the gas and it will wind down for max. fuel economy.
True, as the sensation is much different than a regular transmission.
We're approaching 2500 miles on our '07 and have had nothing but fun. Therre are times when I prefer using the manual shift, such as when in a 20 mph zone, as the CVT gives the sensation of "searching"; or when decelerating in a speed zone. Otherwise it's usually in "D" and is no less sporty or enjoyable than doing the "heel and toe" through the esses. Acceleration feels more linear when you just stomp it in "D". It just keeps coming and coming. I don't miss having shift points. And, given the torque-steer tendendcies of the Maxie, I'd just as soon have both hands on the wheel when accelerating aggressively anyway.
A bit OT, but what killed the '07 Max for me was they took away the movable arm-rest. Now, I can't hold the wheel while resting my right elbow, which believe it or not is enough to sink the car.
That's ok, my '03 is still trucking along just fine. :) Cant' wait to see what Nissan does with the '09/'10 model.
Interesting. The arm rest in my '07 is moveable. Not to the extent that it would be comfortable, let alone safe, for me to rest my right elbow and steer, though. But it does move fore and aft by a few inches.
Keep an eye out for problems with Murano's with upwards of 60, 70k on their clocks. I would think this engine/body combo will give the CVT the most work so problems should appear here first.
Well, fwiw, I have 113K on my Murano. I just had the FIRST replacement brakes - didn't even have to turn the rotors. My dealer also checked the CVT tranny fluid to see if it needed replaced and the computer said NO... it's fine. (I'm told the CVT does not use conventional tranny fluid, and is rather pricey to replace)
IMHO, one of the sweetest points of the Murano is the CVT. It is especially apparent when driving through mountains, which I do often in WV and Western PA. With a regular tranny, you typically find it shifting out of overdrive on the long inclines. But with the CVT, you can watch the tach slowly climb up a little to maintain your speed, and then ever so gently work it's way back down to cruising. It's silky smooth and you never feel a shift.
A lot of folks seem to have the mistaken idea that the CVT will produce a continuous RPM when accelerating. This is NOT true. Although it doesn't increase and shift as it would in a conventional set up, the rpms still increase when you floor it, and continue to increase to nearly red line, all the while hurling you along with tremendous gusto.
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