Hard shift

[chinook]

I have a 99 Nissan Altima with auto, that when it is cold, below 20 degrees, shifts into gear a little harder than when it is warm. The transmission seems to perform just fine when driving, and shifts from park to reverse or drive just fine when it is warmer. It just shifts from park to reverse or drive hard when really cold. Could this be the rubber being hard on a mount? Is it something to worry about? Tranny fluid has been changed recently, but it was doing it before the change.

 

[Ray H]

Two considerations:
1> the engine is on fast idle when first started
2> the ATF is more viscous* when cold
Those two factors combine to increase engagement shock. I don't believe the cold performance at 20 degrees upon initial startup is an accurate assessment of your tranny's overall health. (And, your speculation that the cold engine/transmission mounts may be stiff enough to pass that shock through the unibody structure could well be correct, too.)

*I presume you used whatever ATF is specified in your Altima owner's manual.

[ February 17, 2004, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: Ray H ]

 

[chinook]

I did use the Dextron III that it calls for. Other than when it is real cold, it seems to always shift just fine with no other problems.