Hello everyone,
First off I would like to say thanks to everyone on the board for all of the useful information.

My question is this... Does anyone know if there have been any real & true improvements to the transmission software in the 2012 models?

My 1997 Nissan Maxima has been a great car, but I think it is almost time to move on. Of course the 2011 G37 is a serious deal right now, but the same 2012 can be had for about $1500 more. Barring any major issues, this would be a car that I would keep for probably 10 years. With that in mind... if the transmission issues that many are complaining about have, in fact, been largely addressed in the 2012 builds I would be willing to pay the difference just for peace of mind.

I know that the 2012s have only been on the lots for a few weeks, so I'm not sure if anyone here can speak with experience at this point. But, if so I would certainly like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

The mechanical operation of the 7AT remains unchanged. They keep addressing the software, and hopefully that's where they will find a good solution to the several quirks that still exist. I think buying a 2011 for $1500 less than a 2012 and just wait it out until a "final" reflash becomes available would be the way to go. If they've done some software tweaks to the 2012s they certainly would be available for the 2009-2011 models in the near future.

 

Thanks for the reply.

That was my thought as well. However, from reading posts in this thread over the past weeks/months it seems that dealerships are not always "cooperative" in this respect. I believe some members here have had to beg and plead to get the updates installed? Why I'm not sure, other than the dealers having to eat 30 minutes of potential labor charges.

Maybe I'm wrong about that... Is it really safe to assume that if an update comes out I can get it done without having to get my state senator involved?

 

If an update comes out that applies to your car, you should be able to get it applied by the dealer. Read the TSB associated with the update, and tell the service advisor the specific symptoms that you have from the TSB. It may be best not mention the TSB unless you have to, he should turn it up if you're using keywords from the TSB symptoms.

 

Thanks Mudgen, I appreciate it!

I simply can't understand why a customer having prior knowledge of a TSB somehow invalidates a claim from the dealer's perspective. I've seen that advice posted before, and I'm not doubting it's accuracy, but that's just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Customers should not have to play these games to have issues addressed. Oh well, I guess that's just the way it is. Thanks for the advice guys!

It looks like my hand may be forced on this issue... I just found out this morning that the Maxima needs a major suspension overhaul. The car is only worth about $1500 so spending $1000 on it simply doesn't make sense. I may be joining the club a little sooner than I planned.

 

It's not a policy thing, it's a psychology/attitude thing. Many service advisors are put off by customers who come in demanding that TSBs be applied rather than stating their issues that need to be solved. You're best off not pushing that button gratuitously, in my opinion. If you get a lazy service advisor who won't search out the solution based on your symptoms, tell him you think TSB 10-075 may have a bearing. If he's still clueless, escalate to the service manager.

 

Yeah I understand that, I just don't get it.

I run a support team within a large software development organization. When dev & test teams come to me for assistance, I truly appreciate it when they have done a bit of homework and can offer a bit of (potential) root cause analysis and solution suggestions. It doesn't happen that often, but when it does I am even more likely to go the extra mile to help them out. Oh well, to each his own, thanks again!

 

...key word
You guys are on the same team. We don't have the same relationship with a dealership. Buyer/Seller.

 

You beat me to it. You can build that kind of relationship with a vendor, but you don't just walk in with it.

I was chief of systems engineering for a state education authority. One of the repeated dilemmas of my career was customers who knew just enough to convince themselves that they needed an inappropriate solution for their problem.

 

Those are valid points for sure. Obviously, if you want a happy customer (who presumably is more likely to do business with you in the future) then you should be up front and honest with them and put aside the BS attitude crap. I suppose it just comes down to the individual in question, what side of the bed they got up on, etc...

Sorry to take this thread off topic. I'll be quiet now. And thanks again for the info guys.

And if anyone here has experience with the MY12 G37, please let me know your thoughts.

 

When I took my 2011 in for the first oil change, I mentioned to the service writer that "I read something about an update to the NAV/bluetooth software" and asked him to check on it for me. He replied that they can only check for updates if the customer complains of a specific symptom.

 

The dealer in Peoria AZ called me about coming in for the NAV/Bluetooth update. I waited until scheduled oil change and they applied that and the transmission TSB.

My tranny had been shifting weird, but didn't quite match the details in the TSB and I told the advisor that - but after a road test they applied it.

The transmission is working much better now, smoother shifts -- very happy with the results of the reprogramming.

From the Valley of the Sun,

Snowboid

 

My 2011 G37X which I bought a month does downshift quite dramatically once below 20MPH. It took a while to get used to it, but I don't think it's worthy of having service done on it.

I just got used to it I think.

 

Snowboid....love the name. Have a house near Surprise and love that area.

 

This is the exact same thing happening to my 2011 G37X which is one month old.

Not sure if this is just how the car drives or if I need to break it in. I have about 600 miles on it.