New Manual FRS owner

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by OctaneFRS

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the board Does anyone have any ideas of what could be going on? Thanks!

WELCOME, OctaneFRS ..........

The clutch/transmission just takes some getten used to..........


humfrz

[Hachiroku Rose]

Originally Posted by OctaneFRS

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm still working on the downshifting as well but I have never had as many issues upshifting smoothly in any manual I've driven. I'm sure it will get better with time but as you know it can get quite frustrating. Especially in a new car.

Speaking of downshifting, I'm working on that as well. My current technique when approaching a turn is to brake and ride the gear I'm in, usually sixth, until around idle and then quickly get off the break downshift into the appropriate gear and then accelerate through the corner. This can be tough depending on my speed. I know that heel-toeing and shifting into a lower gear earlier would be best but I'm not there yet.

I picked mine up Wednesday and have had the same issues getting used to it, but I do think it really does take just that - getting used to it. A friend of mine who has been modifying and tuning 20+ years and driving a MT for 26+ told me this clutch is just a little "jackrabbit-y" and that a little jolt isn't a big deal, even if it's not the way I'm used to driving. I've been taking it super slow starting in first, barely touching the gas and letting the clutch out just enough to feel the engage point. Frustrating at first to be starting so slowly, but with practice, I've gotten better quickly. After a few hundred miles, I'm happy with my shifting in low gears.


Also, re: turning, he told me to brake as much as I need to ahead of the turn, shift into the appropriate gear, clutch out, and then accelerate out of the curve. That's working really well and seems to give me much more control.


On an end note, to make those of us who have struggled a bit feel better - the day I test drove it, the salesman said he wanted to drive it to a separate lot first and then would let me drive (ok...?). He proceeded to stall it three times before saying "Screw it. You drive. But I CAN drive a manual!!"


Sure... whatever, man.


Enjoy!

[OctaneFRS]

Originally Posted by STV3

OctaneFRS
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Join Date: May 2015
Drives: 2015 FR-S Automatic Ultramarine
Location: Virginia
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I don't understand

Haha, I forgot to change my profile. I actually bought an automatic and returned it for the manual a couple days later. Even with the issues, I am so glad I did. The car has a totally different feel and the TRD exhaust has much less drone than the automatic as well.

So... I drove my girlfriend's '02 GTI last night and you could almost dump the clutch after changing gears with no jolt. Like some have pointed out, I think it's a breaking in or wear thing. That being said, my girlfriend jumped in the FR-S and drove it like an automatic . Obviously it was something that I was doing wrong that was making the shifts worse. With her help, I think I have pinpointed the issue. This is what I now do when shifting. As I select the gear and release the clutch, I stop at the friction point and slowly left off while barely giving it gas. I'm not sure why slipping the clutch is necessary in all gears (except 5-6) but it does make for a much much smoother ride.

[OctaneFRS]

Originally Posted by billyk

There's good info already offered above in this thread.

Since you live in VA where winter temps can get low, the following thread is required reading to head-off your post that you are bound to make about November 15th of this year entitled "What's wrong with 2nd Gear?".

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31929

Check my post #117 on the last page here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=31929&page=6

It might save you a lot of grief.

My FRS is now 7 months old with about 6k miles on it. The tranny just keeps getting smoother.
Good luck!

Awesome info! Thanks!

It's definitely not cold now in VA...it's going to be 100 today...

[STV3]

Originally Posted by OctaneFRS

Haha, I forgot to change my profile. I actually bought an automatic and returned it for the manual a couple days later. Even with the issues, I am so glad I did. The car has a totally different feel and the TRD exhaust has much less drone than the automatic as well.

So... I drove my girlfriend's '02 GTI last night and you could almost dump the clutch after changing gears with no jolt. Like some have pointed out, I think it's a breaking in or wear thing. That being said, my girlfriend jumped in the FR-S and drove it like an automatic . Obviously it was something that I was doing wrong that was making the shifts worse. With her help, I think I have pinpointed the issue. This is what I now do when shifting. As I select the gear and release the clutch, I stop at the friction point and slowly left off while barely giving it gas. I'm not sure why slipping the clutch is necessary in all gears (except 5-6) but it does make for a much much smoother ride.

haha ok got ya.

Yeah this car is def a little twitchy when it comes to getting it smooth. I've been driving manual everyday for 12 years now and I have to really pay attention to get shift perfectly smooth in this thing. My other car has a 6 puck clutch with a heavy duty pressure plate and its easier to drive smoothly than my FRS.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Hachiroku Rose

A friend of mine who has been modifying and tuning 20+ years and driving a MT for 26+ told me this clutch is just a little "jackrabbit-y" and that a little jolt isn't a big deal, even if it's not the way I'm used to driving. I've been taking it super slow starting in first, barely touching the gas and letting the clutch out just enough to feel the engage point.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by OctaneFRS

. With her help, I think I have pinpointed the issue. This is what I now do when shifting. As I select the gear and release the clutch, I stop at the friction point and slowly left off while barely giving it gas. I'm not sure why slipping the clutch is necessary in all gears (except 5-6) but it does make for a much much smoother ride.

Haven't tried it but it gets rave reviews:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77390

[LostSalad]

Just a note - consider doing the clutch engagement mod. It can make the bite more intuitive because it is very high on stock.

Also rev matching in this car is great because of the throttle response. I find that the hardest shifts for me are when I'm going slow, because then heel-toe technique becomes a delicate affair. Slip up a bit and your passenger ends up in the dashboard

And yes, I do try and heel-toe even when going crap slow. Feeling any type of jolt from the clutch no matter how small makes me feel lazy lol.

[Hachiroku Rose]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Haven't tried it but it gets rave reviews:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77390

Thanks! Looks interesting. After driving a bit longer last night, I like this clutch wayyyyy more than my last car. So much more responsive and I think I've gotten the hang of it for the most part. Woo hoo!

[Vroomin86]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

These transmissions are quite good from toyota, not crappy at all IMHO.

I agree, I meant to say crappy choice of application. The Tacoma Transmission is in fact really good....... for a truck.

[KellieRahne]

IME every car's transmission is a little different and requires a little practice to become proficient with it. Maybe you should get your girlfriend to give you some pointers? Sounds like she figured it out as quickly as I did

[WNDSRFR]

I have a 2002 GTI and a 2013 FRS and the difference between the transmissions is tremendous. The FRS transmission is FAR superior. Everyone always talked about the rubbery shifter on the VW and I never really understood what they were talking about because I was used to it because it was the only car I drove.
But after I got the FRS it was clear what the fuss was all about. The throw on the shifter and on the clutch on the VW are twice the distance of the Toyota. And there is no positive engagement like on the Toyota. Anybody who says their transmission is notchy or grinds or has any other problems should have it checked out.
My FRS came with a defective transmission when I bought it. It would grind into and out of fifth gear every time. And first gear would clunk into gear. Had it replaced under warranty and now it's smooth as butter.

[billyk]

I love this tranny. Once I got to understand the cold weather quirk, I've been totally enjoying it.

It's def not a slush-box. I need to pay attention and be deliberate, but for me it pays off.

[OctaneFRS]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

I have a 2002 GTI and a 2013 FRS and the difference between the transmissions is tremendous. The FRS transmission is FAR superior. Everyone always talked about the rubbery shifter on the VW and I never really understood what they were talking about because I was used to it because it was the only car I drove.
But after I got the FRS it was clear what the fuss was all about. The throw on the shifter and on the clutch on the VW are twice the distance of the Toyota. And there is no positive engagement like on the Toyota. Anybody who says their transmission is notchy or grinds or has any other problems should have it checked out.
My FRS came with a defective transmission when I bought it. It would grind into and out of fifth gear every time. And first gear would clunk into gear. Had it replaced under warranty and now it's smooth as butter.

I know exactly what you are talking about. Everything in the GTI seems loose and sloppy which is what I was used to unfortunately. The GTI is also very forgiving. I definitely agree with you that the FRS is much tighter/superior.

My dad jumped in it last night and he drives a fully built 73 vette and a 03 Z06 so he's very familiar with driving manual. He loved the FRS and only had rave reviews. He said the instantaneous throttle response took a minute of getting used to but he had no trouble at all. I guess I suck, lol. I'm sure it will take a little time but it's still very fun.

[STV3]

I agree that the actual transmission our cars feels great. One of the best shifting transmissions I've ever felt. Very accurate, feel no need for a short shifter, has that nice notchy feeling with that satisfying metallic clank sound when you switch gears.

But the clutch pedal on this car feels like a toy. Then again, I am used to a much stiffer clutch pedal...