Hi , i started a thread before about how my G doesnt roll as smooth as it should when i let go of the gas pedal because it always stays on lowest gear thus making car feel heavier. AFter i did Ecu reset, it was rolling with ease maybe becausae it shifted to higher gears faster. Anyhow, its now back to square one and it always feels like it is in a lower gear when i let go of gas (i drive a 08 G35x auto). Is there anything i can do besides reset ecu to make it shift gears faster (also making it more gas efficient when it goes to 5th gear faster)? I do not want to use manual shifter. Thanks

 

I guess no one has no idea what im talking about.

 

No, I know what you're talking about. I normally drive a 6MT, but occasionally get to drive a G37 5AT, so I kinda get what you're describing. I just don't know whether it's just a normal amount of engine braking you're feeling, or if you have something truly out of the ordinary going on. These are high compression engines and therefore have a lot of braking force naturally even when not geared down. Maybe someone else can comment as to whether the X models have even more tendency (than the RWD) to stay geared down due to the added drive train loading. If your car is particularly excessive, did you consider getting one of the updated ECU reflashes from a dealer? I've heard mixed reviews about some of the side effects, but maybe they're less annoying than what you're currently experiencing.

 

It also could be due to my tires. I didnt know if i should get a wheel alignment or wheel balancing? the steering wheel vibrates once speed goes over 70mph

 

Does anyone know if i need wheel balancing or Wheel alignment or maybe both? Thinking of taking it to pep boys for the service and have them rotate the tires as well.

 

While it's quite possible you do, I think it's a secondary issue unrelated to the tranny gearing / engine braking issue.

 

Can you please elaborate on what you might think it is? Does anyone else know what i can do?

 

well vibration from going a certain speed is usually a tire balance or alignment issue. probably not related to the upshift quicker that you were asking about before. does your car actually stay in a higher gear or does it actually upshift but you still feel like the car is heavier and dragging along?

first, pump up your tires, dont overinflate too much but if recommended psi is 35, i always put 37, just a little more won't hurt when max inflation is 50psi for me. it works wonders in having slightly rolling resistance and better fuel economy.

IF your car is staying in higher gear and engine braking, just put your foot down on the gas slightly and let the car know you're trying to cruise, not engine brake. a reason why resetting the ecu might be solving the problem is that these cars learn from the behaviors of your driving and somehow adapt or something of the sort. don't ask me how because i have no idea

 

wheel alignment is always recommended depending on how many miles you have, if you don't want to pay to get it checked, big o tires usually offer free check on alignment with any service, so get new tires, balance them or something and they'll ask to check your alignment, if it is off, they show you the stat sheet and you can pay to fix it, or if its okay they'll say its okay.

 

Yea for the vibrations, im having my wheels balanced, and getting an alignment, what are the normal prices for these services for all 4 tires? i was confused with prices last time i checked. My tires are at 36-39Psi. My car actually goes to lower gears quicker and doesnt stay on a higher gear for long. Like lets say i am driving at 30 and i let go of gas, it will immediately start slowing down, so i shift into manual mode quickly and see it is in 2nd gear rather then 3rd and after a few seconds and me not pressing the brakes , it goes back to 3rd because it knows i want to coast, but thats after it has already slowed down. I have reset the Ecu but it came back after like 2 weeks. Should i reset it again?

 

I got a lifetime alignment service at Firestone for $149.99 after a $50 coupon. Basically, I can go in anytime I want and get an alignment done no questions asked. It's actually a really good price considering I live in Massachusetts and the roads have many potholes which can cause your alignment to get out of whack during the winter. I usually get an alignment done every couple months to make sure my tires aren't wearing quicker than normal.

As for balancing, I got my tires at Sears or Costco and they do lifetime balancing/rotations. Some places charge you $14 a tire for balancing, so expect to pay around $60 for balancing. That price may go up to around $80. I've seen places chrge also $70 for alignment, but that can go up to $120, depending on the shop.