I purchased a new 23 frontier SV 4x4 and it seems to down shift hard when stopping from certain speeds .maybe I'm not used to the 9 speed automatic or maybe it's normal operation is anyone noticing any problems
2023 Nissan Frontier Transmission issues
Nashville Mike
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Cant speak to that, but check out this power flow for 1st gear, it uses:
Planetary gear sets 1 / 2 / 3, the multi-disc brake A / B and the multi-disc clutch E
I also think I know why in some scenarios the trans drops from 8/9 to a much lower gear - like 4th. Why? Because it can! lol.
"It is possible to shift from 9th gear directly into 4th gear. In this example only brake clutch A-B08 is switch off and brake C-B06 is turned on. In other words, the skip shift technology is confined to only one element being released and one being applied. As a result, faster and more direct shift operations are possible."
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I look at tech drawings and info like that and my brain locks up blue screen style like and old windows PC.
One thing I have noticed with my 9spd is, you can't tell when the torque converter locks/unlocks. It seems like it stays locked more than any AT I've owned, which is kind of nice.
One thing I have noticed with my 9spd is, you can't tell when the torque converter locks/unlocks. It seems like it stays locked more than any AT I've owned, which is kind of nice.
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I was wondering how accurate the dash display was
Overall, don't stress it. Honestly, I believe with all my heart these new Frontiers are going to be considered the pinnacle of Mid-size trucks looking back 30+ years from now. Just my opinion. Obviously no vehicle is truly perfect, but considering how much everyone loves the Tacoma and how revered they are, the Frontier is literally a Tacoma but done better in practically every single aspect. Right down to the frame. The Tacoma's have a C-Channel style frame and our Frontiers are a solid rectangular piece so they don't twist over time like the Tacoma's do.
Only complaint I have with my Frontier realistically is the gas mileage. It basically gets the gas mileage of a full size truck. But considering we have 310HP from the factory, its a price I'm willing to pay. Our 9 speed transmission makes it easier for those of us that drive in the city. For me, I barely touch the gas and I'm in 6th gear by the time I hit 30mph just cruisin' along around 1200 rpm's.
I absolutely love mine. I was truly terrified of the transmission at first. My Frontier was a special gift/partnership from my folks and is something I wanted to last a very long time for the memories of us getting it together. Potentially even pass this down to my son when the time comes. When I first purchased mine it was in the middle of a harsh Pacific Northwest winter. The transmission would shift so hard into those Planetary gears and before I knew better I was genuinely concerned. I thought for sure the transmission would be the weak point and there was no way the vehicle would last 100,000 miles.
Fast forward to about 5,000 miles I noticed the transmission was smoothed out quite a bit. By the time I got to 10,000 miles its like butter. However, like we said, those first few gears are geared super low, so if the vehicle feels the need to downshift from 6th to 3rd (which 3rd is a planetary gear) it will shift a litter harder than normal. But not as hard as if you first purchased the vehicle with 0 miles in the dead of a freezing winter hard. Just have to learn to tell your mind its okay. Its designed that way.
Only complaint I have with my Frontier realistically is the gas mileage. It basically gets the gas mileage of a full size truck. But considering we have 310HP from the factory, its a price I'm willing to pay. Our 9 speed transmission makes it easier for those of us that drive in the city. For me, I barely touch the gas and I'm in 6th gear by the time I hit 30mph just cruisin' along around 1200 rpm's.
I absolutely love mine. I was truly terrified of the transmission at first. My Frontier was a special gift/partnership from my folks and is something I wanted to last a very long time for the memories of us getting it together. Potentially even pass this down to my son when the time comes. When I first purchased mine it was in the middle of a harsh Pacific Northwest winter. The transmission would shift so hard into those Planetary gears and before I knew better I was genuinely concerned. I thought for sure the transmission would be the weak point and there was no way the vehicle would last 100,000 miles.
Fast forward to about 5,000 miles I noticed the transmission was smoothed out quite a bit. By the time I got to 10,000 miles its like butter. However, like we said, those first few gears are geared super low, so if the vehicle feels the need to downshift from 6th to 3rd (which 3rd is a planetary gear) it will shift a litter harder than normal. But not as hard as if you first purchased the vehicle with 0 miles in the dead of a freezing winter hard. Just have to learn to tell your mind its okay. Its designed that way.
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I checked mine against hand calculations quite a few times and it pretty consistently reads about 2 mpg over actual mpg.
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Agree'd completely. If the Honda Ridgeline is getting roughly 24mpg at 265HP, and I know for me personally, i get about 19-20mpg on average. Probably closer to 18mpg knowing what everyone else is saying regarding them being off by 1-2mpg's, regardless thats more than expectable in my eyes. Especially considering the power we have under the hood.
It blows my mind how some people complain about the steering on these Frontiers. Ultimately, its all preference, however, I for one hate steering that is so light that I can move the wheel with a single finger. I actually like having resistance in the steering. It allows me to "feel" the road better. The Frontier does this perfectly in my opinion. Just enough tension where you need to be deliberate, but not enough that it feels like your back in the 70's.
Once I purchased my Frontier (which was my first Nissan vehicle) I noticed just how many Frontiers were on the road still. From the 1st gens to right before current. They are everywhere. I never noticed that before oddly enough.
I have driven both the Tacoma and the Frontier. The Frontier has so much more power, the way it takes turns feels so much more stable. The transmission in the Frontier feels far better. I noticed the Tacoma would gear hunt quite a bit.
I'm convinced these Frontiers are the current pinnacle of design for mid size trucks. With certain truck companies openly saying they are discontinuing V8 model trucks and this wild push towards electric, I really do believe these will be HIGHLY revered. Time will ultimately tell.
Also, side note, I originally thought these transmissions were completely new and we were essentially the "beta testers" for them. However upon further research I see this transmission has been out for over 5 years and was originally designed under Mercedes and allow Nissan to build them under license if I remember correctly. When I found out at least that they have been on the market longer than I realized, my stress levels eased up a bit more.
It blows my mind how some people complain about the steering on these Frontiers. Ultimately, its all preference, however, I for one hate steering that is so light that I can move the wheel with a single finger. I actually like having resistance in the steering. It allows me to "feel" the road better. The Frontier does this perfectly in my opinion. Just enough tension where you need to be deliberate, but not enough that it feels like your back in the 70's.
Once I purchased my Frontier (which was my first Nissan vehicle) I noticed just how many Frontiers were on the road still. From the 1st gens to right before current. They are everywhere. I never noticed that before oddly enough.
I have driven both the Tacoma and the Frontier. The Frontier has so much more power, the way it takes turns feels so much more stable. The transmission in the Frontier feels far better. I noticed the Tacoma would gear hunt quite a bit.
I'm convinced these Frontiers are the current pinnacle of design for mid size trucks. With certain truck companies openly saying they are discontinuing V8 model trucks and this wild push towards electric, I really do believe these will be HIGHLY revered. Time will ultimately tell.
Also, side note, I originally thought these transmissions were completely new and we were essentially the "beta testers" for them. However upon further research I see this transmission has been out for over 5 years and was originally designed under Mercedes and allow Nissan to build them under license if I remember correctly. When I found out at least that they have been on the market longer than I realized, my stress levels eased up a bit more.
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In 5000 miles, the indication on the dash for my 2022 always levels out at 23.5mpg average for my usage full tank after full tank.
When I hand calculate it, it's always around 20.5 average. I fill up at the same top tier gas station and use the same pump. I know everyone has their theory on the discrepancy, but to me it's irrelevant. MPG is MPG. Either which way, I'm not complaining about 20.5mpg average at all. It's about what I figured this truck would get before I bought it.
My sentiment exactly! 20mpg for a v6 with 310hp on a heavy duty mid size truck is excellent
That the real-time average display? The one that says "current" in the ECO report or the "Driving" summary screen? The CURRENT value in the ECO page has been accurate the few times I checked it. The real-time mileage is accurate if reset and doing highway driving (since the penalty for idle/stops/slow is less a factor)
I think the engineers might have been in the aircraft industry... or built tractors. Probably used to "hours" rather than miles. lol
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Wow I didn't know about the Mercedes design also I agree with you on the steering it's precise meaning it's going exactly where you turn it no over or under steer .I'm impressed with the tail gate it's easy to open and close I agree that Nissan really out did themselves on this frontier Nissan has always built trucks that have a lot of power under the hood the way I see it 18 to 24 mpg is great considering the size of these trucks and the power they have .you said the Tacoma searches for gears .I noticed that also my wife and I purchased a pre-owned 2016 Sentra in July and then purchased a new 2023 Nissan kicks sv she researched the Toyota chr the kicks had better reviews and she loves it well in October 2022 we went and purchased my truck.i knew that as soon as I saw the frontier I was in love with it .the looks the ride the power even the storage in it it's very comfortable the fit and finish is nice and the interior doesn't feel cheap like the ford and GM trucks it is amazing when you see an older Nissan pickup you ask the owner how they like it they tell you it has 2 to 3 hundred thousand miles on it and it runs great that says a lot
Yeah the interiors of competitors just don't hold up to the Frontier. I've looked at every interior from the Ranger, Colorado, GMC, Silverado, F-150, F-250, in my opinion, all of the interiors in the mentioned vehicles looked terrible. Thrown together with a bunch of random lines to look "future-istic". However when I compare the interiors to the Frontiers, I notice the Frontier is well thought out. No extra non-sense and beautifully laid out.
My Fathers F-150 just looks so busy on the inside. Nothing really makes sense.
My Fathers F-150 just looks so busy on the inside. Nothing really makes sense.
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The 23.5mpg average I am referring to is the "current" on the Eco report screen.
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I have a 2020 (same engine / trans, older body style), and it does have the sensation of pulling as you come to a stop because the initial gears are so tall. It does get better over time and driving it. These 9 speed transmissions are way different than the older automatics. Its a livable quirk considering how they provide such excellent low and top end gearing in one unit.
Same here! I commute in mine (4x2) and I rack up miles quickly. Already at 22K. It was fine until about 500 miles ago and I started noticing the same thing. The other day it stuttered twice as I was accelerating. Felt like a bad “miss”. Gonna talk to the dealership, just so I can listen to the wind blow. lol
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Did I read somewhere that these transmissions are used in Amazon or sprinter vans?
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It is one of the options available on the sprinter vans, but I would assume the company would be purchasing more of the cheaper motor/tranny packages until their fleet goes full EV. Been seeing more of those EV vans in my area. Plus, amzn outsources many of their deliveries to private drivers/USPS/ and even UPS. Either way, our 9 speed tranny design has been out for a while via Mercedes, and has been used for a few years in the Frontier in the 2.5 gen models that had new engine/tranny design but older body style. Aside from the parking pawl recall, the tranny seems to be holding up very well. Not saying people have not had issues with them, but as a WHOLE, it seems to be doing well.
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Don’t think so
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