Just checked (full auto):

60mph - 2600rpm
70mph - 2900rpm
80mph - 3500rpm

The car is just geared very low for acceleration, no surpise there. I test drove a M35 and same deal.
Just wondered if there was a workaround, ie. a higher 5th gear or whatever else...

 

If you put the car in manumatic and PUT it in 5th gear are these numbers the same? If so I would take it to the dealer and request that they double check things a little. Those numbers aren't excessive but they are still high IMHO.

 

Yes, I've done this, manually shift it into 5th. The numbers are the same. Maybe it just needs time to break in more (@ 2000 miles), but I don't expect the revs to drop significantly. If it gets worse, I'll definitely take it to the dealer. Another beef: the cruise control won't engage above 90-92 mph. Live and learn.

 

I REALLY think there is something up with your car. Take it in now before it gets any older. You may have something else going on that may actually do some harm. It definately seems like there is an issue. I wonder if it could be some kind of computer problem? With the cruise not working either I wonder if the computer is doing some funky stuff - that could be bad if it starts messing with timing, etc.

 

You should be able to tell if it's not shifting into 5th by watching the revs. When you shift from 4th to 5th and the revs do not change, then it's not shifting.

 

Does your cruise-control engage at 60 and 80 mph? I tried this today after reading this last night, and my revs are about the same as everyone else's: about 2200 at 60, about 3100 at 80. But, without the cruise, it's so easy to rev the engine with my foot on the pedal that I couldn't really keep the revs completely steady...tried it with the cruise control and was much better. Maybe read your rpms while in cruise at those speeds.

 

Cruise control is governed at 92 MPH - another electronic "nanny".

 

I just checked too (Manumatic 5th).

40mph - 1500rpm
60mph - 2450rpm

There's a bit of difference between our 60mph, but that's probably because I went by kph (100kph).

So, no worries from me anymore. As for the previously high rpm, I suspect maybe the torque converter hadn't locked yet.

 

Yes, it is switching from 4th to 5th, I verified it visually in manumatic, and the revs were the same in full auto, so its going into 5th for sure.

The cruise control works fine up until I break 90mph. Then, as dbarnes just verified, it won't engage. Defeats the purpose of the car being a high-speed, long distance cruiser. Even my 03 Honda Accord would cruise at 100mph on long-distance trips and average 25mpg.

Those rpm numbers look comparable -- I would say the difference could lie in the fact my car only has 1600 miles on it, so after things settle in a bit, the revs could drop some.

I'll stop whining for now and continue to enjoy the car. I always look forward to driving it.

 

The age of your car is not going to affect its cruising RPM. Have you changed wheels/tires? Which do you have?

 

where the heck are you that you can set the cruise at 90 plus MPH and not worried about getting pulled over? I mean, sure I drive for short spurts at speed like that, but not set it and forget it at that speed.

 

Agreed. Age will affect how much gas you burn as the engine "loosens up", but it won't change the gear ratios in the drivetrain.

Have you considered that you may be going faster than 80? Perhaps your speedo is off?

 

Age definately won't matter. Mine has 800 miles on it and revs at about 3100 at 80 mph (checked it last night).

 

The G35X has a 3.5 rear gear (same gear as the 6MT). The RWD G35 5AT has a 3.3 rear gear. That's why his RPMs are higher in all the gears.

It's possible for him to switch to the 3.3 gear, but I don't know if the AWD system would flake out.

I wouldn't worry about though. Nissan gears many of thier cars pretty deep to offer better acceleration without much penalty in terms of MPG. If you gear a car to high, it will have to downshift to make a simple pass or go up any grade. V8s are geared high because they typically make strong low rpm torque therefore they can pull 1500-2000rpms at 70mph. The VQ's can easily handle the higher operating rpms. My old 96 Maxima 5MT was at 3000rpms at 70mph. My wife's 98 Subaru Legacy 4 speed auto is at 3000rpms at 60mph. E36 BMW M3 5MTs are at 3200rpm at 60mph.

 

Those of you that don't like the shorter gearing (high rpm at lower speeds) need to understand that you bought a SPORT sedan; not a sedan. If you want less performance and more gas mileage, then you are looking for a plain jane sedan, i.e. accord, camry, etc....