I know the car idles pretty high when starting it up for the first time - in my case, mornings/evenings when I haven't driven it for a couple of hours and the weather outside isn't so warm.

Anyways, I let it sit for 40-45 seconds before putting it in R or D.

When I shift to R, there is a very big "thump" and it's pretty unacceptable. Feels like the car wants to take off that very split second but can't do so because I'm anxiously pressing the brake pedal to prevent it from doing so.

Main point, it isn't a smooth shift but becomes one throughout the day - whether it's the fact that I've already driven it/the temperature gets warm - I don't know.

Is this supposed to happen? It just seems that if the car continues to do this at a regular rate, something is going to blow up...

Thanks in advance.
-George

 

Mine does something pretty odd like that too, but only when the engine is completely cool. If i put it in reverse it feels like a "rough engage" like something was holding it from going in gear then it just thumped in gear. Thats the onyl way i can describe it.

-sean

 

There you go, well put.
Today, it did the same.
A few seconds later, I put it in D and then back to R - the effect was minimized greatly.
-George

 

That's wierd, when my cars cold in the morning (50-55 outside) i put it in reverse within 10 seconds of starting the car and it feels perfectly fine, no thumps or hard shifts. You should prolly get it checked out at infiniti, you might be gettin a new tranny.
-GP-

 

There you go. BUT, replicating the problem will be an issue...

 

I have the same issue. only happens if I dont warm the car up.

manual states to wait 30 or so seconds after startup before shifting into D. I prob wait 2 or 3 minutes.


I'll deal with it t'il my tranny explodes

 

Yeah, D isn't a big problem but R is just, unacceptable.
I think if you put it in D after 5-10 seconds, you'll experience the very same.
-George