The G-spot

[68_427]

My car has noticeable power loss with the A/C on.  But it also snows inside my car when I use it...

[TurboDan]

It doesn't - a modern automotive AC compressor draws relatively little power - imagine the power suck represented by a 10% drop in mpg . Ain't happening...

I've noticed this as I've owned cars of varying years. The LR2 has absolutely no noticeable loss of power when the A/C is on. The old Mazda, the Saab and the VW all had varying levels of power loss, improving as the years did. I guess they finally got it right by the time the LR2 was made. 

[SVT666]

I think AC compressor technology has come a long way, but I think it affects smaller engines that make less power more than big engines making big power.  If an AC compressor needs 5 hp to run, then that's a bigger loss to a 120 hp engine than it is to a 300 hp engine.  My SVT Focus had a noticeable loss of power when I used AC, but it pretty much makes no difference at all to my G37.

[Morris Minor]

If you're a control freak.

It's a really good transmission if you just let it do its thing.

I had some great redline runs yesterday and the traction control was blinking SLIP SLIP SLIP SLIP the whole time. Could've fooled me, I didn't perceive any bad behavior whatsoever. Point, shoot, go. I wonder how coddled I am by these nannies.

Drove wifey's MB this morning. Just went out with her to get lunch then return. Its amazing 7-speed auto gets a A+ to the Infiniti's B+.

[hotrodalex]

GM and MB are probably the best at automatic transmissions.

[Laconian]

Drove wifey's MB this morning. Just went out with her to get lunch then return. Its amazing 7-speed auto gets a A+ to the Infiniti's B+.

What does it do well? I've never driven an MB myself.

[Morris Minor]

What does it do well? I've never driven an MB myself.

Its presence in normal driving is almost undetectable; upshifts and downshifts are super-smooth & precisely matched to what you need. The Infiniti, while much improved by the reprogram, is still herky-jerky IMO, at least until the transmission is fully warm, at which point it smooths out. This suggests to me that there is more to do with mappings based on input from the TCM's fluid temperature sensor. Or maybe my sensor is messed-up.

[CALL_911]

Hey, don't talk shit about the Infiniti's transmission. SVT might get offended.

[SVT666]

Its presence in normal driving is almost undetectable; upshifts and downshifts are super-smooth & precisely matched to what you need. The Infiniti, while much improved by the reprogram, is still herky-jerky IMO, at least until the transmission is fully warm, at which point it smooths out. This suggests to me that there is more to do with mappings based on input from the TCM's fluid temperature sensor. Or maybe my sensor is messed-up.

The transmission could do with improvement, but I'm pretty happy with it after the software upgrade.

[GoCougs]

Its presence in normal driving is almost undetectable; upshifts and downshifts are super-smooth & precisely matched to what you need. The Infiniti, while much improved by the reprogram, is still herky-jerky IMO, at least until the transmission is fully warm, at which point it smooths out. This suggests to me that there is more to do with mappings based on input from the TCM's fluid temperature sensor. Or maybe my sensor is messed-up.

Might want to have that checked. Between my car and a number of sedan loaners (G37, G37x, G25, G25x) I've never experienced any sort of cold start tranny smoothness issues. The most I've noticed is that the G25 is a bit smoother in rev matching manual downshifts.

[GoCougs]

I have my car in for service today and got a G25 loaner. I guess it's been a while since I've driven a RWD G sedan. In sum total - steering, brakes, AT, and throttle (mapping) - the G25 is more responsive. The most noticeable difference was in the AT in driving around town in D - more apt to downshift and quicker upshifts.

Also, had my first repair today. The right rear door lock had been making some grinding noise for a while and I asked them to look at it. Turns out it's a bad lock actuator - half the time the tested it it didn't actually unlock the door. Service advisory said it's not uncommon with the G sedan.

[SVT666]

Might want to have that checked. Between my car and a number of sedan loaners (G37, G37x, G25, G25x) I've never experienced any sort of cold start tranny smoothness issues. The most I've noticed is that the G25 is a bit smoother in rev matching manual downshifts.

Me neither.  There is no difference in transmission performance whether it's cold or warm.

[Cookie Monster]

Me neither.  There is no difference in transmission performance whether it's cold or warm.

Lucky. My transmission feels like a bag of dicks when cold. I'm hoping a fluid change will help.

[SVT666]

Lucky. My transmission feels like a bag of dicks when cold. I'm hoping a fluid change will help.

Every manual I've had is stiffer in the first few minutes of driving in the winter, but no real difference between just starting the car and 10 minutes later any other time of the year.  The Infiniti's auto doesn't feel any different at any time of the year.

[GoCougs]

I'm surprised at how much better the G25 aggressive throttle + AT works vs. the G37x at just driving around town - it's much more responsive.

[Laconian]

Your G37x must be pretty lazy, because the G25x I drove was a total snooze in every way. I fell in love with my car all over again when I went back to it.

Is your loaner a G25 or a G25x? Maybe it's the "x" that's cramping your 37's steez?

[Cookie Monster]

Don't you guys live close to each other? Try each others cars out!

[GoCougs]

Your G37x must be pretty lazy, because the G25x I drove was a total snooze in every way. I fell in love with my car all over again when I went back to it.

Is your loaner a G25 or a G25x? Maybe it's the "x" that's cramping your 37's steez?

The loaner is a G25. I had to bring it home so I've had a lot of seat time. It'd definitely more aggressive throttle mapping and more aggressive AT programming (to downshift). It's been a while since I had a G25x loaner but don't remember noticing a difference vs. the G37x. I also noticed this with the Accord V6 vs. the Civic loaners I had - virtually any movement of the throttle at cruise speed and the Civic AT would immediately (and smoothly) downshift. It too had much more aggressive throttle mapping. Made for a much more responsive drive around town.

[GoCougs]

Don't you guys live close to each other? Try each others cars out!

Seattle GTG!

[Cookie Monster]

The loaner is a G25. I had to bring it home so I've had a lot of seat time. It'd definitely more aggressive throttle mapping and more aggressive AT programming (to downshift). It's been a while since I had a G25x loaner but don't remember noticing a difference vs. the G37x. I also noticed this with the Accord V6 vs. the Civic loaners I had - virtually any movement of the throttle at cruise speed and the Civic AT would immediately (and smoothly) downshift. It too had much more aggressive throttle mapping. Made for a much more responsive drive around town.

Maybe it's one of those transmissions that learns and adapts to your driving style, and the rentals get constantly beat on and abused so it's more aggressive.

[GoCougs]

Maybe it's one of those transmissions that learns and adapts to your driving style, and the rentals get constantly beat on and abused so it's more aggressive.

Lots and lots and lots of Internetism regarding G37 AT issues like I describe (general lack of response). I don't call my car a problem per se just that it is noticeably muted in its response. It's why I drive in manual mode at least 50% of the time.

[Raza]

I prefer manual mode in my car too.  Transmission is very unresponsive if you just let it do its thing. 

[GoCougs]

So my previous service adviser is now gone from the dealer. His replacement is a typical douchenozzle dealer lackey. He said I needed a PS fluid change and fuel injector cleaning, and in response to my concern that my brakes felt soft he said the G25 loaner weighed 1,000 lbs less. Jesus.

[SVT666]

So my previous service adviser is now gone from the dealer. His replacement is a typical douchenozzle dealer lackey. He said I needed a PS fluid change and fuel injector cleaning, and in response to my concern that my brakes felt soft he said the G25 loaner weighed 1,000 lbs less. Jesus.

My brakes are so grabby it can get annoying at slower speeds.  Maybe your pads are toast.  Have you checked your brake fluid levels?

[afty]

My brakes feel soft too.  The last G37 loaner I had had really grabby/responsive brakes.  Will probably get my brake fluid changed at the next service appointment.

I've found the service department at my Infiniti dealer to be awful.  Always trying to upsell you, very high costs for normal stuff ($75 for a non-synthetic oil change!), etc.  I've started taking it to the Nissan dealer for basic services, and they're way, way better.

[GoCougs]

The last visit I had brake fluid change and new rear brakes - no change.

[SVT666]

My brakes feel soft too.  The last G37 loaner I had had really grabby/responsive brakes.  Will probably get my brake fluid changed at the next service appointment.

I've found the service department at my Infiniti dealer to be awful.  Always trying to upsell you, very high costs for normal stuff ($75 for a non-synthetic oil change!), etc.  I've started taking it to the Nissan dealer for basic services, and they're way, way better.

I don't even take my car to the dealer anymore.  There is a $50 premium for a full synthetic oil change alone ($135 vs. $85).  I will only go for warranty stuff.

[SVT666]

The last visit I had brake fluid change and new rear brakes - no change.

What about your front brakes? 

[GoCougs]

What about your front brakes? 

Were at 75%.

[SVT_Power]

I think AC compressor technology has come a long way, but I think it affects smaller engines that make less power more than big engines making big power.  If an AC compressor needs 5 hp to run, then that's a bigger loss to a 120 hp engine than it is to a 300 hp engine.  My SVT Focus had a noticeable loss of power when I used AC, but it pretty much makes no difference at all to my G37.

It was very much noticeable on the SVTC. But that damn car's AC was ridiculously cold. Couldn't direct it at skin even at the lowest fan setting without getting too cold within minutes.