(6MT) Getting into 2nd smoothly
 

Does anyone else have a difficult time getting into 2nd gear smoothly under any kind of decent acceleration? Even when I rev match it still feels like a bump when I release the clutch. I find it extremely difficult to get a perfect clean shift when going from 1st to 2nd while other gears are relatively easy. Don't know if its just me or I need to change some fluids or something but it's kind of annoying when trying to give my passenger a smooth ride (I personally don't care when I'm alone).

How fast do you release the clutch?

keyword search pentosin

The best way to shift into 2nd is to "pause" a bit before letting the clutch out. Just take a split second longer than you normally would for other gears. Don't worry, it took me almost two months to figure that out.

+1, I hold the clutch when im at about 3k rpms and let off clutch at 2100 rpm-ish. Now it is just second nature and I dont even look at my needle anymore. Where and what rpm have you been letting off of in 2nd gear?

Adjust the pedals to your liking :burnrubber: there's a thread on here shows you how to do it..

^^^

If you're getting a big bump when you let off the clutch, you haven't properly rev matched. It's normal for there to be some perceived acceleration or deceleration (depending on if you are up or downshifting) when you time it perfectly, but this is a very different feeling from the lurch in *both* directions (forward and then back, or back then forward) that comes with a fast shift that is not properly rev matched.

Also worth pointing out is that the amount of time you need to pause with the clutch in when upshifting from 1st to 2nd (or any other gear) varies greatly with RPM. The engine speed drops much more quickly when you unload the engine closer to the red line, requiring a shorter pause, letting you shift much more quickly and still be smooth.

It's all about feeling the revs. I find I'm more jerky when I look at the RPM gauge. Don't over think it. Play around with how long you wait until you release the clutch and don't release it too fast at the top end (slow down a bit when you reach the catching point).

Happens when car is warm too.

Gotta try it out. Thanks:thumbsup:

Think I am going a little higher than 2100ish. maybe around 25-3000. Not entirely sure right now but I definitely didn't do anything special compared to other gears.

For me, if I'm driving down my street in the morning, I usually clutch in at about 2600 then clutch out around 1600 or 1700. Somewhere around there.

Timing is everything when it comes to the smooth second gear shift. If you let up on the clutch immediately after shifting, you're going to get a more powerful upshift, but if you wait like a quarter half second to reengage clutch you'll probably land the clutch in the sweet spot rpm. Just be sure to be giving it throttle as you reengage to get the power back on.

I was also concerned about not having smooth 1st-2nd shifts, and was surprised that I had to wait sometimes or rev match to get to the right gear. It all came with feeling. I keep my hand on the shifter during these times, it helps me feel the engine rpms and to shift to regime that I'm accustomed to now.

observe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...tkfpQ#&t=2m31s