^ actually any time the engine is running, it will burn some gas

 

Pretty sure he is saying that if the cars in N then its not using the gears to slow you down, thus better mpg. Not exactly sure how effective it is on newer cars, but I used to do it all the time in my old truck.

 

Ok, I'm gonna revive this old thread with a similar question. I started noticing this today on my way to work this morning. When I try to gun my car up to around 5k-6k or so it acts as though its in N. (Car is an auto). When I put the car in MM I can run it just fine through all the gears. However, upon driving home this evening, my car in D wouldn't go past 3k without acting like its in neutral. And when I first started the car and drove it I could redline it but it wouldn't shift. It would act like it was in manual mode. There are no check engine lights or anything on the car, it has only 33k on it, it's 2003 coupe and I'm the second owner of it, bought from a dealership. Could this be a tranny problem (doubt it since it works fine in MM)? Or a shift solenoid? Or this code that the OP cleared from his car? Thanks for your help in advance!

Edit: I know this is the sedan thread, but I searched and this seemed the closest to my plight.

 

EMO, Take your car down to Pep-boys or AutoZone (or the like) and have them read the codes on your car. They won't (at least my AutoZone wouldn't) clear the code, but at least you'll find out if it's the shift solenoid. I decided to pay the money for a code reader that would clear the codes, and as of today, my '03 Sedan is driving like new. If you spend the money, clear the code and the problem returns, at least you'll be able to re-read the computer to ensure that the mechanic you decide to use will focus only on that problem. Good luck Mate. Auzziez

 

alright, I dont know enough on the topic to talk about that but, If you coast in gear you will get much better MPG then putting it in N.

 

I assume this was meant for me? The only problem is, there is no code.

 

This morning I couldn't even put it in MM! It feels like it won go past 4th gear and won't shift when I'm getting on it to accelerate or something. Any ideas? Help!

 

Sorry for the quick double posts, I'm on my phone and I can't use the edit button.

I restarted the car at a stoplight and my AT check light flashed a few times but then it went out. I was able to put it in MM, but shifting to 4th was a little rough. So I shifted through the gears and no problems after that. I restarted it at the next light and the AT light came on and went away like normal. Its acting weird shifting into 5th, like it won't go when I'm in MM, but if I let off the gas and then press it again it will go into it. Any ideas?

 

Check the level of your transmission fluid. Some Nissan trannys are very sensitive. I was 1 pint low in my '97 Maxima and I lost 4th gear. Replenished with fresh fluid and it came right back.

 

Check your fluid level and take the car to the dealership ASAP. You shouldn't keep driving unless you have deep pockets. It's probably the valvebody as that seems to be the weak link in the tranny.

 

I have an AT tranny for cheap if you lost yours. Just incase.

 

I added ATF and reset the ecu, its running fine now, been running it for about an hour now, if I run across the same problems ill be going to my shop asap.

 

After adding ATF, why did you have to reset the ECU if there were no codes? Your shift solenoid should report errors even if it is caused by a lack of ATF. Hopefully the maintenance you've performed will solve the problem.

 

I reset the ECU just in case, it seemed to work for the OP so I figured why not? It didn't hurt anything ya know? I was under the hood already so I just went for it.