smoother take-offs

[cgriffin]

What's up with the abrupt takeoff on these Titans? I test drove four before I bought mine, and they are all the same, they take off kind of like popping the clutch with a stick. Did I get spoiled with the smoothness of my Toyotas, or are all the other automatics this way? I know it's not 100% my foot, because to get it to start smoothly, I have to start verrrry slowly.

Any way to fix it?

BTW, aside from this I love it. Never thought I've give up my Tundra for a Nissan, of all things.

Thanks...
CG

[1stime]

You have get use to it. I don't have any problems taking off smoothly. I have let my friend drive my truck a few times (he loves it), but always has that problem. You just have to learn how to press accelerator with the right amount of force. Learn to control the furious beast in it!

[Colorado]

1stime is right, after a couple of hours, you won't have any problems. Just takes a little while to get used to it.

[adjmcloon]

I just use my big toe.

[cali-titan]

somebody mentioned that it was axel wrap, so in other words there is no cure, unless you get some suspension mod to help the wrapping. I admit it is a bit frustating trying and trying to make a smooth take off, oh well a guess a truck is a truck and not a sedan.

[jeff7777]

Try the suspension mod in the "drive train clunk" thread... It's easy and also helps smooth out the acceleration...

[Bayou Titan]

Originally Posted by cgriffin

What's up with the abrupt takeoff on these Titans? I test drove four before I bought mine, and they are all the same, they take off kind of like popping the clutch with a stick. Did I get spoiled with the smoothness of my Toyotas, or are all the other automatics this way? I know it's not 100% my foot, because to get it to start smoothly, I have to start verrrry slowly.

Any way to fix it?

BTW, aside from this I love it. Never thought I've give up my Tundra for a Nissan, of all things.

Thanks...
CG

Most of the abrupt takeoff is attributed to the "drive by wire" system that the Titan has. The gas pedal is connected to a computer rather than to a cable that leads directly to the engine. The computer is programmed to what the Titan designers believe is the acceptable or desired takeoff force.

[Tony]

CG,
We're getting apples and oranges mixed up here. Driveline "clunk" is unrelated to throttle reponse. I think your issue regarding gas pedal sensitivity is referred to as throttle "tip-in".
It's due to the factory programming of the drive-by-wire throttle. There is no mechanical linkage. With practice you will master it and likely grow to like it as-is. At first I felt like you, but now I would not change it even if Nissan offered a software fix.

[Titan Ken]

Had a 2000 Tundra and felt the same way with the Titan. Only took a week or so to get used to the touchy accelerator pedal. Now I don't even think about it. I loved the Tundra, but after towing my 25' travel trailer (5100 lbs average loaded weight), I'm really glad I made the move to the Titan. And it is much more fun to drive daily with the increased horsepower and torque.

Ken

[cgriffin]

Thanks, guys. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to just get used to it...my wife drives it once in a while, and it would be even more difficult for her to learn it. She drives a Highlander, and even though it's got a good v6 in it, it made the Tundra seem abrupt.

CG

[BiXLL]

I just lay my foot on the gas, then when I want to go, I bend a little and blow gently on my foot!

[mick3643]

Your wife will get used to it if it bothers her at all. I owned my truck a couple of months before my wife drive my titan. she then informed me she wanted to trade her 2005 altima for another titan.. I didn't think anything would pry her out of her altima. Might be the ladies have a lighter touch on the throttle than we do.

[Loafer]

Any way to modify it? Most of the trucks I've driven were all military diesels... You had to put the pedal to the floor to get those beasts moving at all. After test driving a couple titans I got used to them(sorta), but it sure is a serious change. I guess I'm most worried about parking... I mean, sure you can build up some decent control, but what if you get stupid and your foot slips 1/4 of an inch?

[Kong]

I got used to it quickly and it doesn't happen anymore. Gettting used to it doesn't mean lving with jack rabbit starts, it means it will accelerate smoothly from the line when you get coordinated. My wife drives mine occasionally and had the same problem but got it figured out. Now I slam on the brakes on her car, they are touchy after the Titan.

BTW I really like to low gearing and the 5 speed for take off. When towing, a lower gear take off really saves the transmission in the long run.

[MadMax]

Nissan programmed an 'agressive throttle tip-in' on these trucks to make them feel faster than they're 305 hp actually is... i.e. younger buyers might buy these trucks over something else because 'you barely have to touch the throttle and it hauls *** dude!' that type of mentality - pretty clever actually - it worked on me lol