Nissan Rogue Forum

Couple of things my 2011 rogue does that my friends 09 does too - maybe TADT ?

First is an engine or CVT vibration/growl at very low speed, maybe 10-15mph. This will happen regardless of acceleration input level.
I was told before buying this that all the trans bugs were worked out - maybe not ?? My biggest concern was this CVT, and i'm sure i'm not alone !

Also has what feels like engine surging/hunting at low to moderate acceleration. It wont do this if you accelerate with even 25% throttle, but it will with less than that.

This one is kind of hard to explain, but it seems as if you must plan ahead for the rate of acceleration you want. If you change your mind before reaching your intended speed and want more, you cannot get it. Does that make sense?
Lets say you pull onto a freeway on ramp and accel at a rate that will take you 15 seconds to get to 65mph. At 40mph, try to make it accel faster. It wont do it unless you floor it !
My belief is that because the trans cannot "kickdown", it needs considerable throttle input to change the rate of acceleration.

I found it very interesting that an 09 exhibits exactly the same traits !

Yes they all seem to do that. The same goes if you are going down a steep hill and you let off the gas, it will reduce the speed on its own. It feels almost as if you were stepping on the brakes to control the speed. Thats the CVT doing the work.

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The CVT is design so it doesnt have that kick like the older cars when accelerating. It gradually picks up speed smooth. It takes time getting used to it.

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"WhY sOo SeRiOuS"

If you're light on the gas the CVT seems to go into a low rpm, higher mpg mode. My Dodge Caliber has a more "flexible" CVT but I rather like the implementation in the Rogue. If I want to get it going, I just hit the O/D off button.

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Yes you are all correct. TADT.
I finally stopped in to my local dealer and spoke with a very informed tech who talked my ears off for about an hour. I have been an auto tech myself for about 30 yrs, but some of the new stuff has gotten away from me. We therefore had a lot to talk about.

Anyway, I'm going to try to layout what I can remember of our conversation.

Basically the torque convertor is being locked up at around 1100rpm after the latest computer zap. This makes the car sometimes feel like a manual trans would if you were to try to accellerate in third gear at 10-15mph. If shudders and complains a little !
The surging is a byproduct of it running right on the line of the fuel mapping being too lean. Nissan, like everyone else, has had every direction moderated by the desire for fuel mileage efficiency. Nissans almost maddenlingly stubborn desire to make the CVT work has been handicapped by fuel efficiency. He said that most everyone that tried the CVT in the past gave up on it, but Nissan was determined to make it work, dumping millions into it. Apparently there are only 13 moving parts to this CVT, so part count, manufacture expense, etc. is a cost high point for them.
The rattling engine noise on startup is indeed piston slap. Again because of fuel efficiency, the piston to sidewall clearance is excessive to reduce drag.

Indeed. she definitely takes some getting used to !