Transmissions concerns M/T - is this normal?
 

I have two things that are concerning me at the moment:
The first is that unless the car is travelling at less than 10 kph my M/T will refuse to go into first, almost as if something is completely blocking it from even wanting to try, clutch is to the floor by the way.

The second is that if I'm light on the throttle and shift at a lower rpm from 1st to 2nd (say 35kph/2900rpm) there is a rather concerning metal on metal clunk from the transmissions tunnel as the clutch engages, no this isn't the shift actuation. I've read a few posts about people saying this is just the nature of the mechanical design of this rigid rwd car for similar issues.

Any help would be appreciated!

1. is this your first manual transmission car?
2. how much experience do you have driving a manual transmission car?
3. 1st gear lockout is there to protect the transmission, use second gear.
4. clunk/clank sound is normal. I believe it is the pressure plate.

You shouldn't be in first unless you're starting out from less than like 5mph.

Second gear clunk is normal. This has been discussed many times on here so fear not.

Enjoy the car!

1. is this your first manual transmission car? this is the first manually I've owned, I have driven a manual a number of times. Integra Type-R, Civic Si, TSX, Mini Cooper S, Golf GTI.
2. how much experience do you have driving a manual transmission car? 25-30 hours

The engine seems to bog under 10mph in 2nd, sounds like a bloody diesel.

You should listen to what your engine is telling you, if it's bogging reduce throttle and let it ease it's way to over 2000 rpm. It takes a while to get really smooth at driving a manual, a lot more than 30 hours.

Also if you really want get in first easily without stopping, learn to double clutch.

I believe the 95 Jetta I had would go into first at over 10 mph. It was scary as it would lock the wheels up for a split second.

Like mentioned, double clutch on going from 2nd to 1st if you really need to. As for the noise from 1st to 2nd, I find this transmission likes higher rpm shifts. If you can bring the rpms up to 4500-5000 before you shift. If you can't then use just enough force to pull the shifter into 2nd. It should be quieter this way. Higher rpm range and finesse are the keys to this car, if you drive it hamfisted then it will respond poorly.

Well, @mstoochn, I have found that this car with a MT, just takes some getten used to.

It's a bit harder to get rolling than some other cars, because it has a relatively light flywheel, relatively low torque output and a somewhat tricky clutch.

So, like mentioned above:

Don't try to put it into 1st gear unless it is stopped.

Let each gear wind it up to at least 4,000 rpms.

Keep the rpms above 2,500 - 3,000 ..... if they drop below, that find a smaller gear.

In time, you will master the technique and be out heel-n-toen and drifting all over the place ...... :burnrubber:


humfrz

PS - this is how this old farm boy learned how to let out a clutch and use gears ...... with an under powered tractor dragging something heavy through the ground. After that, a car was a snap ....;)

+1 on not using first unless you are at a dead stop. That said, I will occasionally do it and don't have any trouble in my BRZ with a throttle blip.

if you absolutely need to get into 1st blip the throttle that will unlock it. +1 you don't need to be in first.

Can't you rev the engine a little to get it into 1st while you're rolling slowly?

[EDIT] Didn't read all the way down
Sent from my toaster

Tbh, if you're gentle enough with the clutch you can even idle around in second gear (~7mph)

Look at the owners manual, it will tell you the shift pattern when its time to shift to the next gear

You don't have to be stopped to go into first. First goes pretty far in this car. If you have to slow down for traffic and you're in 2nd and your RPM's drop below 2k the engine is going to bog down if you try to accelerate unless you downshift (or accelerate like a grandma)

Other thing about this clutch is that you have to release the pedal pretty far to hit the grab point, it's kinda hard to get used to. I've considered using a thicker bumper under the pedal instead of the crappy thin rubber one that's there to reduce travel

Thanks for the responses, the 1st to 2nd is taking awhile to get a feel for to make it clean regardless of throttle input, the sound is just so concerning.

I'm use to squishy honda clutches, this has a very different feel.

I'll just turn up the speakers!