G37 7speed transmission reprogram
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Joined: May 2010
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From: New York
This fixed my problem with the trans. So I would guess this TSB is for fixing the "rough erratic shift" transmission problem.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: PA
Was in for service yesterday. 1st oil change at 6 months with 2170 miles, nav update and asked to apply any new TSB's. Nav updated, oil changed and car washed.. no TSB's performed. I don't do a lot of stop and go driving so don't feel the gear hunting or other problems being complained about. Also drove an older G37x loaner with 5AT. Car felt lighter in overall weight and cheaper.. not impressed or envious at all of 5AT owners. Interior was also not as nice as my 2010.
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The only issue that doesn't seem opinion/preference-based, from reading this thread, is the lag that occurs when changing from a steady-state speed to needing significant acceleration. Trying to pass on the highway is the classic scenario.
Can those who have had the update done please confirm as soon as possible whether this common issue has been resolved or not? I doubt it will be, because the problem stems from the tranny not knowing how many gears down to shift under a sudden throttle application situation. With only four or five gears total, it's a pretty easy decision. When you get to seven or eight, it's much tougher.
I think they are trying to avoid a situation where you are driving at 50 mph/80 km/h, stuck behind some slow-poke, in 7th gear, of course, for fuel economy reasons, then go to pass and stomp the throttle and the tranny shifts back to 5th gear...but then once you get moving and are accelerating swiftly (but not swiftly enough), it realizes you need to go back to 4th gear. Avoiding the shifting down mid-action is the goal. Unfortunately, that means hesitation at the outset while it figures out what you need/want. The exaggerated throttle response means that even if you floor the throttle, the car was already overreacting from the initial moment you started pushing the pedal. Hence all the reports that the car responds so well when you DON'T floor it. That's because the throttle application is being sent as torque immediately to the tranny, instead of being held back waiting for the tranny to decide what gear to go in to.
I am guessing the "half-way between old mode and Snow Mode" throttle mapping that seems to be what people are describing is the only "fix" for this. And it is't a fix, it just reduces the amount of times or severity of the tranny overreacting to a too-sensitive throttle. You can solve the problem yourself by just applying the throttle more smoothly.
Reducing the responsiveness of the tranny just slightly to downshift based on throttle input should solve the 20 - 40 mph issues.
However, if they took away the relatively aggressive engine braking in the process, then there is nothing sports sedan left in the car. May as well drive a Camry.
I will await more reports from those who update, but the lag and shifting can mostly be resolved by driving more competently/smoothly. You cannot bring back the engine braking no matter what. Therefore, at the end of the day, a dumbing-down of the car that I will avoid.
Can those who have had the update done please confirm as soon as possible whether this common issue has been resolved or not? I doubt it will be, because the problem stems from the tranny not knowing how many gears down to shift under a sudden throttle application situation. With only four or five gears total, it's a pretty easy decision. When you get to seven or eight, it's much tougher.
I think they are trying to avoid a situation where you are driving at 50 mph/80 km/h, stuck behind some slow-poke, in 7th gear, of course, for fuel economy reasons, then go to pass and stomp the throttle and the tranny shifts back to 5th gear...but then once you get moving and are accelerating swiftly (but not swiftly enough), it realizes you need to go back to 4th gear. Avoiding the shifting down mid-action is the goal. Unfortunately, that means hesitation at the outset while it figures out what you need/want. The exaggerated throttle response means that even if you floor the throttle, the car was already overreacting from the initial moment you started pushing the pedal. Hence all the reports that the car responds so well when you DON'T floor it. That's because the throttle application is being sent as torque immediately to the tranny, instead of being held back waiting for the tranny to decide what gear to go in to.
I am guessing the "half-way between old mode and Snow Mode" throttle mapping that seems to be what people are describing is the only "fix" for this. And it is't a fix, it just reduces the amount of times or severity of the tranny overreacting to a too-sensitive throttle. You can solve the problem yourself by just applying the throttle more smoothly.
Reducing the responsiveness of the tranny just slightly to downshift based on throttle input should solve the 20 - 40 mph issues.
However, if they took away the relatively aggressive engine braking in the process, then there is nothing sports sedan left in the car. May as well drive a Camry.
I will await more reports from those who update, but the lag and shifting can mostly be resolved by driving more competently/smoothly. You cannot bring back the engine braking no matter what. Therefore, at the end of the day, a dumbing-down of the car that I will avoid.
My biggest concerns were the lag when you need acceleration and really strong vibration when you accelerate from 0.
I am an a little bit more happier person now -vibration is gone....the lag is still there, and I have a feeling it always will be. It got smoother overall. It looks like we have no choice but to get used to the lag. You are right, it gets a bit better when I accelerate smoothly...but it is just sad to realize that my Toyota performed better.....
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NY
I apoligize for not being more involved with the thread I started, too much else going on. Aside from everyone experiencing the same issues with the trans, here are a few things to consider:
Everyone drives thier vehicle in a different manner so the issues may be more obvious to one driver and less to another. This also means driver "A"'s commute which is filled with stop and go traffic v. driver "B"'s commute of a clear highway run will produce varied adaptation of the TCM and ECM learning.
Since it is an adaptive system, driving habits do play a role in system operation. More aggressive drivers (read as beat the snot out of it) have expressed better operation of the system as opposed to those who drive more conservative. How many times have you been given a loaner car and then told your service advisor on return that it feels quicker and shifts better than yours?
The reprogram is going to reduce some symptoms, not change them completely. Most of the low speed issues involve changing the torque convertor lock up. A 7spd A/T engages lock up as low as 6-7mph as opposed to older A/T's that only lock up at steady highway speed. The low speed lock up is to increase fuel economy which it does by an extremely low %, but to engineers it is important.
Everyone drives thier vehicle in a different manner so the issues may be more obvious to one driver and less to another. This also means driver "A"'s commute which is filled with stop and go traffic v. driver "B"'s commute of a clear highway run will produce varied adaptation of the TCM and ECM learning.
Since it is an adaptive system, driving habits do play a role in system operation. More aggressive drivers (read as beat the snot out of it) have expressed better operation of the system as opposed to those who drive more conservative. How many times have you been given a loaner car and then told your service advisor on return that it feels quicker and shifts better than yours?
The reprogram is going to reduce some symptoms, not change them completely. Most of the low speed issues involve changing the torque convertor lock up. A 7spd A/T engages lock up as low as 6-7mph as opposed to older A/T's that only lock up at steady highway speed. The low speed lock up is to increase fuel economy which it does by an extremely low %, but to engineers it is important.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: North NJ
Transmission reprogram (ITB10-075) review
I switched from a 2008 G35x with 5AT to a 2010 G37x with 7AT 6 months and 4500 miles ago. In the first couple of miles, I immediately felt the transmission downshift/upshift issues. Especially cruising at 20-40 mph was a PITA as the car was jerking and it felt like hitting a wall when slowing down from 40 mph.
I brought the car to the dealer immediately and I've been told that the transmission would learn and adapt the more I drive the car. It was in fact the case and the down and up shifts smoothened significantly but the jerking and flare was still there, especially in the NYC stop-and-go traffic. The car was also shaking and vibrating when accelerating from a full stop.
Today I brought the car for the first complementary oil change and mentioned the "harsh downshift" issue. The service manager at Fette Infiniti in NJ told me that they would check it and apply the TSB if the VIN # is a positive match for the TSB.
They indeed typed in the VIN # and it was a match for the TSB. They performed the ITB10-075 and reprogrammed TCM and ECM as per that bulletin. (They also reprogrammed the navigation as per TSB ITB10--P0336).
The difference is huge. There is no jerking at slow speeds, the downshifts are much smoother and upshifts are also noticeably smoother. There is much less gear hunting and the flare is almost unnoticeable. I drive both, very aggressively and leisurely, depending on the situation and the reprogram was very successful for both instances.
The transmission is still not as smooth as a BMW DCT or VW/Audi DSG when driving aggressively or as a Lexus tranny when driving leisurely, but the difference between b4 and after the reprogram is huge and IMO it is worth performing.
You don't have to worry about how to explain your transmission issue to the service adviser or how to request a TSB to be performed, the only thing that you need to do is to tell them about the "harsh downshifting" and ask them to check for any TSB. they type in your VIN and it comes up automatically if your car needs the reprogram or not.
I brought the car to the dealer immediately and I've been told that the transmission would learn and adapt the more I drive the car. It was in fact the case and the down and up shifts smoothened significantly but the jerking and flare was still there, especially in the NYC stop-and-go traffic. The car was also shaking and vibrating when accelerating from a full stop.
Today I brought the car for the first complementary oil change and mentioned the "harsh downshift" issue. The service manager at Fette Infiniti in NJ told me that they would check it and apply the TSB if the VIN # is a positive match for the TSB.
They indeed typed in the VIN # and it was a match for the TSB. They performed the ITB10-075 and reprogrammed TCM and ECM as per that bulletin. (They also reprogrammed the navigation as per TSB ITB10--P0336).
The difference is huge. There is no jerking at slow speeds, the downshifts are much smoother and upshifts are also noticeably smoother. There is much less gear hunting and the flare is almost unnoticeable. I drive both, very aggressively and leisurely, depending on the situation and the reprogram was very successful for both instances.
The transmission is still not as smooth as a BMW DCT or VW/Audi DSG when driving aggressively or as a Lexus tranny when driving leisurely, but the difference between b4 and after the reprogram is huge and IMO it is worth performing.
You don't have to worry about how to explain your transmission issue to the service adviser or how to request a TSB to be performed, the only thing that you need to do is to tell them about the "harsh downshifting" and ask them to check for any TSB. they type in your VIN and it comes up automatically if your car needs the reprogram or not.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Update Worth it
I switched from a 2008 G35x with 5AT to a 2010 G37x with 7AT 6 months and 4500 miles ago. In the first couple of miles, I immediately felt the transmission downshift/upshift issues. Especially cruising at 20-40 mph was a PITA as the car was jerking and it felt like hitting a wall when slowing down from 40 mph.
I brought the car to the dealer immediately and I've been told that the transmission would learn and adapt the more I drive the car. It was in fact the case and the down and up shifts smoothened significantly but the jerking and flare was still there, especially in the NYC stop-and-go traffic. The car was also shaking and vibrating when accelerating from a full stop.
Today I brought the car for the first complementary oil change and mentioned the "harsh downshift" issue. The service manager at Fette Infiniti in NJ told me that they would check it and apply the TSB if the VIN # is a positive match for the TSB.
They indeed typed in the VIN # and it was a match for the TSB. They performed the ITB10-075 and reprogrammed TCM and ECM as per that bulletin. (They also reprogrammed the navigation as per TSB ITB10--P0336).
The difference is huge. There is no jerking at slow speeds, the downshifts are much smoother and upshifts are also noticeably smoother. There is much less gear hunting and the flare is almost unnoticeable. I drive both, very aggressively and leisurely, depending on the situation and the reprogram was very successful for both instances.
The transmission is still not as smooth as a BMW DCT or VW/Audi DSG when driving aggressively or as a Lexus tranny when driving leisurely, but the difference between b4 and after the reprogram is huge and IMO it is worth performing.
You don't have to worry about how to explain your transmission issue to the service adviser or how to request a TSB to be performed, the only thing that you need to do is to tell them about the "harsh downshifting" and ask them to check for any TSB. they type in your VIN and it comes up automatically if your car needs the reprogram or not.
I brought the car to the dealer immediately and I've been told that the transmission would learn and adapt the more I drive the car. It was in fact the case and the down and up shifts smoothened significantly but the jerking and flare was still there, especially in the NYC stop-and-go traffic. The car was also shaking and vibrating when accelerating from a full stop.
Today I brought the car for the first complementary oil change and mentioned the "harsh downshift" issue. The service manager at Fette Infiniti in NJ told me that they would check it and apply the TSB if the VIN # is a positive match for the TSB.
They indeed typed in the VIN # and it was a match for the TSB. They performed the ITB10-075 and reprogrammed TCM and ECM as per that bulletin. (They also reprogrammed the navigation as per TSB ITB10--P0336).
The difference is huge. There is no jerking at slow speeds, the downshifts are much smoother and upshifts are also noticeably smoother. There is much less gear hunting and the flare is almost unnoticeable. I drive both, very aggressively and leisurely, depending on the situation and the reprogram was very successful for both instances.
The transmission is still not as smooth as a BMW DCT or VW/Audi DSG when driving aggressively or as a Lexus tranny when driving leisurely, but the difference between b4 and after the reprogram is huge and IMO it is worth performing.
You don't have to worry about how to explain your transmission issue to the service adviser or how to request a TSB to be performed, the only thing that you need to do is to tell them about the "harsh downshifting" and ask them to check for any TSB. they type in your VIN and it comes up automatically if your car needs the reprogram or not.
I agree with all of this. I just got the update yesterday. MUCH smoother. You dont' feel the jerkeyness like you used to around 40mph. The other thing I noticed is when you let off the gas, it tends to coast more without slowing down, but on the flip side, it requires a little more braking when stopping. Overall I'd say the update is worth it.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: NJ
Last time I was at the dealership they told me everything was normal. So I contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs and filed a detailed complaint about the tranny. Just yesterday I got a call from Infiniti that they will contact my dealership to figure out a resolution. This morning the dealership called and told me that the ITB10-075 is available and I would be the first to get the update at the dealership. I'm scheduled to have it done next friday unless I hear any bad reviews about it.
Has anyone with the latest reflash experienced any changes to the DS mode?
Has anyone with the latest reflash experienced any changes to the DS mode?
Last edited by MaluG37; Jan 7, 2011 at 01:43 PM.
It seems like the DS mode is changed too. I was on the highway doing about 110kph (70mph), shifting to DS changed the gear to fifth, but to get it to go to forth gear i had to press gas pedal more than 50%. It takes more throttle for it to downshift compared to before. I felt that DS mode did not require any changes.
D mode is great on highway as it doesnt downshift to 5th everytime you try to accelerate. It lets you accelerate while in 7th gear and shifts quickly to 5th or 4th depending on how much gas you give.
There is still some engine braking felt in city driving, definately improved, car coasts better. However, gear hunting, or lag before car takes off when giving it gas is still there in rare cases because the transmission is trying to decide which gear to put car in, then it takes off like a rocket.
I agree with the comments that car feels heavier, but thats because the throttle feels more linear now. It will take off just as fast if you floor it. I'm still getting the feel of the updated software and I'll update if I notice any differences.
D mode is great on highway as it doesnt downshift to 5th everytime you try to accelerate. It lets you accelerate while in 7th gear and shifts quickly to 5th or 4th depending on how much gas you give.
There is still some engine braking felt in city driving, definately improved, car coasts better. However, gear hunting, or lag before car takes off when giving it gas is still there in rare cases because the transmission is trying to decide which gear to put car in, then it takes off like a rocket.
I agree with the comments that car feels heavier, but thats because the throttle feels more linear now. It will take off just as fast if you floor it. I'm still getting the feel of the updated software and I'll update if I notice any differences.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Toronto, Ontario
So my conclusion is that they have dulled the over-sensitive throttle response--that's a good thing. As a result, there is less needless and confused downshifts occurring and less hunting for gears when staying in gear would suffice.
They have reduced the engine braking effect dramatically--that's a bad thing in my opinion. However, the clunking downshifts will be lessened not because they changed anything or fixed anything in the tranny--it just isn't downshifting proactively any more.
For me, the first one can be achieved very easily with Snow Mode and/or just remembering to use a very light touch on the throttle for everyday driving. The second one is a step backwards and would only be able to be replicated post-update manually in DS mode.
I have "trained" my tranny to not be over-reactive, so I don't seem to experience most of the problems that are reported. Better leave well enough alone! I will skip this update.
They have reduced the engine braking effect dramatically--that's a bad thing in my opinion. However, the clunking downshifts will be lessened not because they changed anything or fixed anything in the tranny--it just isn't downshifting proactively any more.
For me, the first one can be achieved very easily with Snow Mode and/or just remembering to use a very light touch on the throttle for everyday driving. The second one is a step backwards and would only be able to be replicated post-update manually in DS mode.
I have "trained" my tranny to not be over-reactive, so I don't seem to experience most of the problems that are reported. Better leave well enough alone! I will skip this update.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Vermont
2011 transmission operation
Guys,
I have the 2011 G37xS, and after reading your thread I tried to get my car to exhibit the operation you've noted (to see if it has any issue) but besides maybe the noticeable engine drag at very low speeds, the 7 speed auto in my car seems to be buttery smooth in both downshifts and upshifts. Although when operated manually the upshifts are pretty crisp, which I like.
Terri
I have the 2011 G37xS, and after reading your thread I tried to get my car to exhibit the operation you've noted (to see if it has any issue) but besides maybe the noticeable engine drag at very low speeds, the 7 speed auto in my car seems to be buttery smooth in both downshifts and upshifts. Although when operated manually the upshifts are pretty crisp, which I like.
Terri
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Joined: Jun 2010
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@theresamarie1 I have a 2011 G37 Sedan (non X / non S)... I do feel the hard upshifts and downshifts. I have left a message for my service rep to see if I can have the TSB ITB10-075 updated on my car. Hopefully they can!
@ALL If my service rep can perform the TSB (ITB10-075), I will ask him to make me a copy of it so I can come back and post it for all of you. Hopefully that will help the rest of you get the update with your respective service techs.
Thanks!
@ALL If my service rep can perform the TSB (ITB10-075), I will ask him to make me a copy of it so I can come back and post it for all of you. Hopefully that will help the rest of you get the update with your respective service techs.
Thanks!