7-Speed Automatic and A/C
 

I have a 2009 370z that I bought used a few days ago and I have a question on something I've observed over the commute back and forth to work. It's been smoking hot so I've had the A/C on constantly and I obviously recognize that this will impact performance but it's not the performance or pushing it that worries me it's the fact that I find it rather difficult to drive just putting around on my daily commute with the A/C on. It's like I'm not pushing on the pedal hard enough and it's jumping up into the gears too quickly. Is this normal? it literally feels like I'm in 7th gear doing 40 mph. Obviously I can compensate by manually shifting down via the paddle if I need to be in a lower gear for a bit of time but just in general it's really bothersome being so "boggy" feeling. I hope this is just me not being familiar with driving it yet. Anyone experience this initially and change something about how they drive it?

Thanks
Kevin

what has been the ambient temp and humidity in your area?

Sounds normal to me.

First of all are you referring to the 7AT?

If so you are correct and thats pretty normal with the 7AT

It seems like the trans is always on the highest gear possible

I normally drive in Manual/paddle mode 80% of the time and have gotten used to it.

7th and 6th is boggy all the time, but extra hot weather makes it 3x worse. On stock intakes, throttle response is pure shyt in almost any gear in the summer and the high gears only make it worse. mod the intake to reduce the annoyance.

Pretty normal, my Z has been pretty doggish with this Texas heat and humidity of late. Suppose to be low 91 ish Sat and Sun, going to enjoy that!

on average around 91-92 with high humidity (90%). Been pretty damn hot. from a few of the responses seems rather normal so I won't stress over it.

Perfectly normal,from a owner in S'pore[365 days a year that is very warm here]

Question of 7AT owners:

Does this happen without A/C on?

Haven't had that problem here in Houston, it's been ridiculous here with the heat and humidity combined. Maybe, it's because mine is a 2012 and Nissan has made subtle changes, or my K&N air filters and Z1 Silicone MAF tubes. I do have every Silicone hose Z1 makes for the 370z installed too, except heater hose and brake booster silicone hoses. Took her out yesterday, as i only take her out 2 to 3 times a month because of the heat, she ran amazing as usual with the A/C on. That's including a few WOT's too. :driving:

What you are experiencing is normal, I rarely drive my 7AT out of manual mode because of this, you can be doing 30-40 and it will shift you into 6th or 7th. Shifts wayyy to early.

My understanding is that the transmission logic is adaptive. I'm not sure if that changes the required conditions to stay in gear or shift up. I drive mine in manual mode most of the time so I can control the power band.

Oh yeah! 7AT > 6MT even in the heat and humidity... :stirthepot:

Back in the old days, you would be right...Modern Automatics in manual mode are excellent today...

You will never see an AMG automatic....You don't need to...They are amazing...


But manual trans are great, no doubt about it, but modern technology has made auto's way cooler than years ago...:hello::tiphat:

:iagree:

well it's certainly good to know if we have a question we come home from work the following day and like magic your questions are answered. Appreciate it.

Can't say I ever noticed it without the A/C on but just driving it a couple more days I don't really even notice it with the A/C on anymore. I'm pretty much willing to chalk it up to just being unfamiliar with driving it. I can't even notice it now.

i haven't noticed much difference. it's just the heat and the hot weather imo....

just wait for your first romp on a 50 to 60 degree day. feels like you just gained
25 to 35 hp. loving driving her is cold dry conditions..........:driving:

It doesn't matter, A/C on or off, the auto is a dog when it's in full auto mode and just crusing around. It actually feels slower than a honda civic because of the 7 gear auto trans and always being in the highest gear. When you put it into manual mode and cruise around in the 3k rpms... the car feels alive again.

I think the term dog is a little harsh
most agree the 7AT even the die hard MT
guys would agree is not your everyday slush box
Any 40 grand AT cant touch it but that's jmho

I cannot agree more.

I hate this car during the summer in AZ. Something about the A/C being on completely kills the spirit of the car. It's more than just the expected power loss.

Last night, it was like 85 degrees so I got to drive her with the windows down A/C off for the first time in months. ****, that was fuuuuuuuuuun. That's the kind of throttle response I expect from a sports car. I want that, all the time. Anyone know if a tuner can "fix" the ecu to compensate the throttle response when the A/C is on?