Oh yeah, I'm definitely enjoying the car! The only thing is, I've never driven any other vehicles in my life aside from an old Chevy S-10 and a pitiful Chrysler PT Cruiser, so I honestly have no idea of what characterizes a "normal" driving experience for a really nice, powerful car like this. I guess I just want to make sure that the car's powertrain is functioning as intended, you know what I mean? Also, I think part of it is a general curiosity on my part -- for example, I had never heard of rev-matching until I got this car, and so I'm just curious as to why the car's engine would rev loudly when I'm actually slowing down as I drive down a hill.

 

In sports mode it does that to keep you in the powerband....

I know what you mean...its a fun car to drive...I also have an 08 GS350 and the driving characteristics are completely different...the M37 screams and moves in the high RPMs...and my GS torque comes in early and low in the RPMs...lol

I wish they had a sport mode in the QX56...that beast hauls!!! That's the kid hauler but I drive it like I drive my M37....lol

 

So in other words, when I was driving down the hill in Sport mode and gently braking, the sudden roar of the engine was supposed/expected to happen? I understand that the transmission computer was performing rev-matching, which I could feel occurring as it held onto a particular gear, but I guess I just don't understand why the engine roared when I was actually slowing down. In other words, it roared as if I was rapidly accelerating from 20-70 MPH, but in reality, I was actually doing the opposite (slowing down from 70-20 MPH). What's the point in the engine roaring when I'm actually decelerating? Is that another component of rev-matching?

 

That is part of it...see having the revs match on the downshift keeps the engine in its sweet spot. That way you can have the HP right then instead of you having to wait.

Of course it's inspired by racing...like having a manual transmission and keeping your foot on the throttle while downshifting to go through a turn....so you can accelerate through it.

 

I didn't mean to sound like an a$$ .... I know coming from a Coupe to a M there are drastic differences that make you question.

 

You didn't sound like an ***... it's more like, I tend to come across sounding like a dumbass with all these questions. You would think I would read the manual, you know? (Which I plan to do later today...)

 

Yes ... RTFM is always a good idea :-) but I find the manual lacking in some regards. Like they never really explain the AWD system, etc. They seem to have the attitude like "the car has it, you don't really need to know how it works, it's complicated and only us engineers can understand it"

It's nice to have a little more activity in the M section ... I'm finding the G section has under gone a change in the past year or so. More G's getting older, more coming off lease so they are becoming more affordable to a younger crowd hence the maturity level has gone downhill. Not to the point of "F-You" "No, F-You" yet but I see it coming.

 

It's funny you say that....i was thinking the same thing about the lexus forum...I have a 08 GS350 (3rd Gen GS 06-11) and now that they are older you can tell that the maturity level is dropping. But it's bound to happen...lol

I don't find much support of Infiniti except for the G. I'm also glad that the M forum is picking up as well because it's good to have others to bounce ideas and problems off of. Now if I could do the same with my QX it would be perfect...the forum is dead except for like 3 of us but I see tons of them on the road...go figure...

 

OK, last transmission-related question.... does anyone know if it's normal to feel 3 brief shifts (not jerky, but lightly/passively noticeable) when slowly accelerating from a dead stop to about 20 MPH? Or should it not shift through that many gears just to get up to 20 MPH?

 

Normal or Sport Mode?

 

This was in Normal/Standard mode. Seems to do it every time I drive off from a stop and just wanted to make sure it was considered normal operation....

 

Not sure if I'll get today or not (work from home) but I know I'll be out in the car tomorrow. I will test it then. Just to be sure I understand, you feel what appears to be three shifts, do you notice anything on the Tach?

 

That's a good question. I'm about to leave in a few minutes, which will also be my first driving opportunity for the day, so I'll see what I notice and let you know...

 

Yes...this transmission can be in 3rd gear before 20 mph under very light acceleration...

 

Oh okay, so that's normal then... good! LOL

However, the light scraping sound I've heard emanating from around the front wheels when driving at low speeds apparently is NOT the wind (as I previously thought). I noticed it when I was driving very slowly down my driveway earlier today and also when I was driving very slowly through a parking lot. It sounds like a very light scrape coming from the front driver's side wheel area that is almost unnoticeable if you're not listening for it. I know that the G37/M37 is known for brake issues, so I'm hoping that's what this is. I'm not actually hearing/noticing anything when actually braking, though. I'm wondering if it could be a slightly stuck caliper... ?