Dumb question. Shifting into second gear

[mr.whiskers]

I don't have much experience with driving manual, but I want to keep my car healthy for as long as possible.

After having the car for almost a year, I am still a bit hesitant about shifting into second or if I am doing it correctly so I wanted to see what other people do.

Basically my issue is shifting into second from first feels like there is some extra resistance there compared to other gears. It is especially more noticeable while the car is cold. It feels like I am forcing it in. Other gears after that are fine. Also I noticed after the car warms up this feeling of forcing the second gear in is not as bad anymore.

What I have been trying lately is from first gear I would shift into neutral, and then go second and this actually feels much better compared to directly moving the shifter from top to bottom in a straight line.

How do other people shift and what is the correct way?

[gen3v8]

Some gearbox oils make it hard to shift into 2nd gear until it`s warmed up.

[Decep]

Usually helps if before you take off, work the stick (pause) through all the gears a few times at a standstill. Also it sounds counter intuitive but when it's cold its better to make the shift with all one motion, try not to pause too long in between 1st and 2nd.

It'll get better as you pile the miles on.

[soundman98]

you're working against the syncro's. try shifting into 2nd when the rpm's are closer to where they would be for the gear.

[CedN]

Probably then only thing i dislike with my 86, especially since i live in a cold country. I sometimes just go to from 1st to 3rd instead on upshifts, double clutch matched shifts can help, but not always. I also noticed 2nd goes in easier at upshifts if shifted at really low rpms, instead of reving up on 1st first.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by soundman98

you're working against the syncro's. try shifting into 2nd when the rpm's are closer to where they would be for the gear.

Yeah this. As OP says, seems better when shifting to neutral, (I guess) pausing, then to second. That's because engine speed (*edit* and transmission speed, once in neutral) had more time to drop down to the right RPM for a smooth entry.

My 350Z had bad syncros. I tried a few different gear oils and ended up putting the OEM Nissan stuff back in.

My process for 1st to second for the first couple cold shifts was to pop from first to neutral, wiggle the stick side to side (as a way of making a repeatable delay) then it would fall into 2nd easy as the revs would be matched. And as CedN says the lower the RPM the better especially as this technique would mean engine revs would be a smidge low once actually releasing the clutch. Double clutching seemed very hit or miss for 1 to 2, but was useful from 2 to 3 where the trans had maybe worse problems.

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

This is what I did. Changed the tranny fluid, installed MTEC shifter springs and perrin/whiteline shifter bushing combo (they come as a package). Night and day difference, really crisps up the shifts, no more issues.

[Decep]

the shifter bushing and transmission mount bushing DO help a surprising amount when its cold.

[mr.whiskers]

Originally Posted by soundman98

you're working against the syncro's. try shifting into 2nd when the rpm's are closer to where they would be for the gear.

Hm that sounds about right, so basically I am shifting too fast and not letting the revs fall enough

[Interceptor777]

Originally Posted by mr.whiskers

Hm that sounds about right, so basically I am shifting too fast and not letting the revs fall enough

Yeah 1st to 2nd is the trickiest to get right perfectly, and cold gearbox exaggerates that. It also doesn't help that 1st has huge rev hang.

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[CedN]

Originally Posted by StraightOuttaCanadaEh

This is what I did. Changed the tranny fluid, installed MTEC shifter springs and perrin/whiteline shifter bushing combo (they come as a package). Night and day difference, really crisps up the shifts, no more issues.

Which bushings did you change to more specific?

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

Originally Posted by CedN

Which bushings did you change to more specific?

it's this package

https://www.ft86motorsports.com/perr...-fr-s-brz.html

I now also have subframe inserts from Whiteline, the STI trans mount, Perrin engine mounts, I used to have whiteline outrigger diff bushing inserts as well. Every single drivetrain mod added NVH but improved shifting.

[Decep]

That combo helps shift feel so much, but be warned it can make your car sound like a big rig at times with all the gear whine. i hated it at first, but eventually found it endearing.

[mr.whiskers]

Originally Posted by Interceptor777

Yeah 1st to 2nd is the trickiest to get right perfectly, and cold gearbox exaggerates that. It also doesn't help that 1st has huge rev hang.

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Do you think double clutching into second while its cold is a good idea? I tried it today and the shift was super smooth