shifting into 2nd

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

1st-2nd shift is always going to be a little harder since they have the greatest difference in gear ratio and a greater rpm drop for the synchros to match. It happens on a lot of cars.

When I think about it I'd say it happens to varying degrees on just about every MT car I've ever driven. If it doesn't want to go into gear sometimes you just need to ease it a bit and if it really doesn't want to, make sure you're out of gear, release the clutch and start over so the rotating parts can align better. As others have said it's worst after a cold start until things warm up.

[RAWR BRZ]

Either your shifter/syncro is messed up (which shouldnt happen at this stage) or there is nothing wrong and personally I cant tell if its hard to go in because hard to go in is my M3... it feels like it is grinding gears every time... worst shifter ever..

[Mochikomi]

I haven't had any issues with 1-2, but jumping over to the gate from 4th to 5th seems more rough than any of the other transitions.

How fast are you shifting from 1st to 2nd? As others have mentioned the ratios are the farthest apart, so it takes the syncros a tiny bit longer. Try slowing the shift down a bit and it should smooth out.

[Rayme]

This is a pretty short throw transmission, it leave the synchro less time to do their jobs than a normal manual transmission. Try to shift just a bit slower when it's cold.

You could try other fluid also, I used to have very bad grinding in a celica, and some GM Synchromesh completely got rid of it..for over 100 000 km!

[cantaloupe]

Thanks guys, will try shifting slower and playing around with it more. Maybe I am shifting too quickly, since sometimes it'll be smooth shifting into second, just not all the time. But I feel like I'm going too slow if I shift slowly from 1-2 at a red light.

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by cantaloupe

Thanks guys, will try shifting slower and playing around with it more. Maybe I am shifting too quickly, since sometimes it'll be smooth shifting into second, just not all the time. But I feel like I'm going too slow if I shift slowly from 1-2 at a red light.

Ah, now I get it. Exactly this scenario happens to me sometimes in one of my cars, which does have a somewhat finicky 2nd gear (possibly "thanks" to a previous owner who mashed it ). First thing to do is remain calm and not let yourself feel pressured by other drivers. Second, try practicing the "start over" method I described earlier - if the shifter balks going into second, take it out, waggle it side-to-side a couple times so your brain knows it's out for sure, clutch out, clutch back in, shifter back into 2nd nice and easy. With practice this goes very quickly and other drivers won't even notice. You might want to find a quiet street to practice before trying it at a light.

[cantaloupe]

thanks will try that. Is the syncro misalignment also the reason why it's hard to shift into first gear if you are going too fast?

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by cantaloupe

thanks will try that. Is the syncro misalignment also the reason why it's hard to shift into first gear if you are going too fast?

This happens because the intermediate shaft have to spin up at a high speed, and get there real fast to synch with the other gears.

[JonnyRocket]

Originally Posted by cantaloupe

thanks will try that. Is the syncro misalignment also the reason why it's hard to shift into first gear if you are going too fast?

Not synchro misalignment, it's because of the ratio between the gears. The synchro has to account for a larger rpm difference between the gears.

Never downshift into first unless you're at a crawl or stopped. And when shifting into reverse, click it into first (no need to let the clutch up) and then into reverse.

[einzlr]

^^^What they said. Actually I find if I'm moving *at* *all* it just works better to use second instead of trying to get into first (in any MT car I've driven; I don't own an 86 yet).

[chandz05]

Originally Posted by JonnyRocket

Never downshift into first unless you're at a crawl or stopped. And when shifting into reverse, click it into first (no need to let the clutch up) and then into reverse.

I'm curious about this... Why put it into first before reverse? I usually park in first, so I guess I do this anyway...

[JonnyRocket]

Originally Posted by chandz05

I'm curious about this... Why put it into first before reverse? I usually park in first, so I guess I do this anyway...

Because the ratios are almost identical. Traditionally the reverse gear didn't have a synchro, so by shifting into first the trans speed would then be matched when you went into reverse.

It's not necessary nowadays, but it's a good habit.

Parking in first (or reverse) is important because those gears require the most effort to move the vehicle. Say you were parked on a slight hill, in first the incline may not be enough to make the car roll, but in 3rd or higher it takes much less for the vehicle to begin rolling on it's own. This is assuming parking without the e-brake, or in the event of an e-brake failure.

[omgwtfbbqsauce]

If its not going into gear, generally it means your still going too fast or the engine is still cold which makes it abit harder to slot it into gear

You would need to slow down more before popping into second, alternatively you can rev match it into 2nd (double clutch downshift or heel-toe) if your still going abit quick and this way it will allow you to shift to 2nd smoothly without jerking the car.

Help this helps

[cantaloupe]

Originally Posted by omgwtfbbqsauce

If its not going into gear, generally it means your still going too fast or the engine is still cold which makes it abit harder to slot it into gear

You would need to slow down more before popping into second, alternatively you can rev match it into 2nd (double clutch downshift or heel-toe) if your still going abit quick and this way it will allow you to shift to 2nd smoothly without jerking the car.

Help this helps

This only pertains to when you're slowing down correct? My issue was upshifting to second.