Why does the Nissan Tiida experience jerking during startup?
4 Answers
Nissan Tiida's jerking during startup may be caused by factors such as automatic transmission throttle acceleration upshifting, damaged solenoid valves, or high transmission temperature. The details are as follows: Automatic transmission throttle acceleration upshifting causing jerking: Jerking during startup in an automatic transmission car is a normal phenomenon. If you want to accelerate sharply while driving, you need to press the throttle deeply. At this time, the automatic transmission will automatically downshift to increase the engine speed. When the speed reaches a certain level, it will upshift. After upshifting, the speed will drop significantly, resulting in a relatively noticeable jerking sensation. Damaged solenoid valves: Damaged solenoid valves are an important cause of jerking. The sensation of jerking is like being kicked in the backside. Jerking can be occasional or occur at fixed intervals. The distinction is simple: occasional jerking happens without any pattern, while fixed jerking occurs at a certain speed or during a specific gear shift (e.g., from 2nd to 3rd gear) or at a fixed speed. High transmission temperature: High transmission temperature can degrade the quality and friction characteristics of the automatic transmission fluid, increasing friction and wear, which leads to transmission noise. At the same time, sludge (impurities or dirt) can form inside the transmission (e.g., in the valve body), causing the transmission to jerk or experience impacts.
I've been driving my Tiida for over five years, and the jerky start-up is a common issue. The aging CVT fluid in the automatic transmission is a main cause. Insufficient fluid viscosity can lead to belt slippage and poor power transfer. If the clutch is worn, power delivery during the semi-engaged state can be jerky. There are also ignition system problems—spark plug carbon buildup or ignition coil leakage can cause intermittent engine misfires. Worn engine mounts can also exacerbate vibration transmission, especially noticeable during cold starts. I recommend first checking the transmission fluid color—it should be bright red; if it's black, it needs changing. Then have a mechanic read the fault codes to see if there are any indications like P0171 (system too lean). Regular throttle body cleaning can also improve this issue—don't wait until the jerking becomes severe to address it.
As a long-time automatic transmission car owner, the jerky start-up is really annoying. I've found that with the Tiida, this issue is often related to driving habits, especially when the throttle is pressed too abruptly, triggering the CVT transmission's protection program, which causes a sudden loss of power. Accelerating before fully releasing the brake can also confuse the transmission's logic. During cold starts in winter, when the oil temperature is insufficient, the steel belt is prone to slipping. Frequent short-distance driving accelerates the sedimentation of impurities in the transmission fluid. It's recommended to press the throttle pedal gently at start-up and wait until the speed reaches 10 km/h before accelerating further. Change the transmission fluid every 20,000 kilometers, using the original NS-3 specification. A dirty air filter also affects air intake, so remember to check it every 5,000 kilometers. Paying attention to these details can reduce jerky starts by 70-80%.
My Tiida started jerking at 80,000 km due to neglected maintenance. The transmission fluid wasn't changed for over 60,000 km, causing excessive metal debris to affect oil pressure. The spark plug electrode gaps were too wide, resulting in weak sparks and cylinder misfires. The air filter hadn't been replaced for two years, leading to insufficient airflow and overly rich fuel mixture. A clogged fuel filter also caused unstable fuel supply and engine vibration. Worn engine mounts directly transmitted vibrations into the cabin. Follow the manual: change transmission fluid at 40,000 km, check spark plug gaps at 20,000 km, replace air filter every 15,000 km. Use fuel additive monthly to clean the system, and premium 95-octane gas reduces carbon buildup. Proper minor maintenance prevents jerking issues.
