Issues Swapping Back/Forth from 5spd MT & 6spd MT?
 

I've been driving MT since my First Car, I've always owned a 5 speed manual(89 Camry V6, 93 Maxima SE, 95 Prelude SI). I'm 33 and I've been driving since I was 16. Needless to say driving a MT is second nature to me, that is untill I got my BRZ. Do any of you guys switch on a daily basis between a 5spd & 6spd? If so have you had any issues adjusting while spending equal time behind the wheel of both? At first my wife complained I was driving a bit Herky-Jerky with the BRZ which I never did with my other cars. Its not that I've never driven a 6spd before but I do have limited experience with them. So due to the gear ratios I have to "think" about what gear I have to be in during traffic situations and that moment of hesitation doesn't really facilitate a smooth shift. I've also been forgetting that the BRZ has a 6th gear and been leaving it on 5 as it goes against my instincts to put it in 6 because that's where the Reverse is on a 5spd. I thought I was very good with a MT , Infact my wife didn't even notice when we were first dating that my car was a MT for the first few dates ( she isn't really a car person. when I ask her to Identify a cool car she'd seen she's usually gives me a Color and adds details like "wings"(spoiler) on the back of the car :lol: ). But she does notice how smooth a car rides and she wasn't happy with the BRZ, at first. I'm a LOT better now with over 1k miles logged on the BRZ. But still a PIA paying attention to shifting, i felt like I was learning how to drive manual all over again. I just hope I don't get used to the 6spd so much that I try to Jam my Prelude into Reverse while on the highway. :confused0068:

You're thinking too much and it's making you hesitant.

cgrey is right, it is just a matter of time to figure it out.

I have a harder time getting behind the wheel of a 5speed after driving a 6 for a few years - I have actually tried putting it in reverse out on the highway (the stupid car let me; there was no lockout). Whoops. Good thing it was a rental. :)

I think you might have more issue with the clutch engagement then shifting. I know if I go back to my dad's 97 Tacoma, I suck at shifting for the first 10 minutes. After that, my shifts are very smooth. Then I go back to my vehicle and can't shift worth a damn due to the clutch being a lot more sensitive. As far as between 5 speed and 6 speed, my dad had that issue coming from an '02 Trans Am. When I had my Cobalt SS, he tried to shift into 6th gear a few times. Thank God it had a reverse lock out switch like our cars :lol:

Oh, and call me imagining things, but I feel like the car drives and shifts a lot smoother the harder you drive it (shifting around 5000 to 7000 RPM).

I think when I had my 6spd S4 and 5spd MR2 I used to try to put the MR2 in sixth but then I would realize it wasn't there. The reverse is in a completely different position, too.

Honestly, what messes with me more than that is the keyless access in a BRZ (or any car, for that matter). Whenever I drive one I always fumble for an ignition cylinder that isn't there, because I'm so used to driving cars with traditional keys.

Try switching from a Porsche to anything else. I've scratched a lot of cars trying to put the key in on the left side.

I just find myself shifting more around town. I used to cruise in 5th at 40 mph, now, I'm in 6th.

However, in terms of muscle memory, I still try to turn off my car the conventional way. I still have yet to get used to the Start button, even after 3500 miles.

I currently drive a 5spd. I've only test driven an FRS (BRZ is waiting for me at present but a few weeks away) My only issue is remembering where reverse is.. I am sure I won't be forgetting after the first week.

You would think so.

You might want to try adjusting the clutch lower; it is very high from the factory...this makes it very hard to get smooth shifts.

I have that same problem but I am the opposite. Sometimes I shift into 6th gear when I am driving my 5 speed, and wonder why it wont go. haha, also I notice it is harder to shift smoothly on the BRZ than the 5 speed. Some days the shifts are smooth and butter, and some days I just cant get it right. I blame it on the stock tranny oil, there I said it.

I never have any issues swapping back and forth, but then again I only shift when I feel I need to and I don't typically feel the need in top gear.

I have a 5 sp impreza that I switch back and forth with. Sometimes I throw my impreza into first thinking I'm in reverse... That's about the only difference. Clutch engagement is negligible for me, I kind of got used to it...