Manual Transmission troubles (tips are welcomed)

[Janunez90]

I recently just purchased a BRZ, i got about 2,000 miles in it. The BRZ is my first MT car and recently I've been having trouble with the shifts.

First I would like to state, I got the start up right, I haven't stalled the car since my first 3 days with it.

Second, my biggest issues are in-between gears. Sometimes when shifting it jerks just a lil bit when releasing the clutch. If i release the clutch too slowly the engine jumps, and if i release it fast i feel a set back. Im guessing it something related to the RPM. I try to always shift at around 2.6 RPMS I don't know if thats the best rpm to shift.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, and thank you all.

[uEih]

Originally Posted by Janunez90

I recently just purchased a BRZ, i got about 2,000 miles in it. The BRZ is my first MT car and recently I've been having trouble with the shifts.

First I would like to state, I got the start up right, I haven't stalled the car since my first 3 days with it.

Second, my biggest issues are in-between gears. Sometimes when shifting it jerks just a lil bit when releasing the clutch. If i release the clutch too slowly the engine jumps, and if i release it fast i feel a set back. Im guessing it something related to the RPM. I try to always shift at around 2.6 RPMS I don't know if thats the best rpm to shift.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, and thank you all.

Are you revving while shifting? Remember you gotta keep a it balanced between the clutch and gas. If you're going to shift the gas and clutch has to meet in the middle, not sure how you're shifting but it sounds like you're not giving it enough gas while shifting.

[Otterbrawten]

More gas. I had the same issue when I first started driving it.

[ExtremeAutowerks]

you don't HAVE to shift it at 2,6krpm. just try and get the feel for your car.

[Rayme]

It's only been 3 days, it can take a few months to be really confident driving a manual.

to be honest shifting at 2.6k rpm seems a bit low, try shifting at different RPM, it is easier to shift at a higher RPM as it gives you more time to shift as the rev are coming down. Practice to shift in one smooth motion, practice practice. You'll eventually get the feel of the clutch and gas and be able to adjust your shifts to almost perfection (and you won't even look at the RPM anymore).

[enouf]

I've found shifting at 3k is a sweet spot, but 2.6k should be close enough. As long as you stay out of the torque dip (3-5k) shifts should be pretty smooth. My shifts were pretty jerky to begin with as well (my first MT) but it definitely gets smoother as time goes by. You just have to figure out the sweet spot of adding gas just as you're past the friction point when letting off on the clutch. You will slip the clutch while doing this but as you get better you will have less slippage. If you let off clutch without adding any gas, it will jerk in 1-2, 2-3 shifts.

[wheelhaus]

A fast shift- the engine is still spinning faster than the next gear requires, so you feel the surge as the engine's spinning mass accelerates the car a bit.

A slow shift- the engine has dropped too much rpm by the time you re-engage the clutch, you feel the lurch as its forced back up to the rpm required by the selected gear.

Shifting at higher rpm is perfectly fine, there's just a bigger difference in engine rpm between gears. The gear ratio spacing is pretty even in the BRZ, so you will eventually get the feel for shifting at low, med, and high rpms.

If you're so inclined, do some research on how the engine, clutch, and tranny work. It could give you some insight to what's happening and how to operate it all more effectively.

[uEih]

Turn on your shift gear display and it'll show you when to shift for best fuel economy and that should give you an idea of where to shift for normal driving.

[Calavera]

Originally Posted by uEih

Are you revving while shifting? Remember you gotta keep a it balanced between the clutch and gas. If you're going to shift the gas and clutch has to meet in the middle, not sure how you're shifting but it sounds like you're not giving it enough gas while shifting.

That's what I needed to get used to on my FR-S. Now my drives are pretty smooth with exception of first 2-3 shifts to 2nd gear in the mornings then it's clear sailing. Practice practice practice my friend, you will get it.

[Janunez90]

thank you all for the insights. I will try to practice harder.

I do give it gas, sometimes even more than required and i feel the slippage on the clutch due to friction it creates, so i try to stay away from that. I'm going to try to balance it out better. Now I know i can shift at higher rpm and I'm going to see how that works out.

again thank you all.

[whtchocla7e]

It'll all come together with time, practice, and experience. It did for me.

My only advice is this - shift firmly and with confidence. Don't try to be too gentle or too slow, that's when you're most susceptible to make a mistake. Things need to fall into place just at the right time to get a smooth shift.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Janunez90

thank you all for the insights. I will try to practice harder.

I do give it gas, sometimes even more than required and i feel the slippage on the clutch due to friction it creates, so i try to stay away from that. I'm going to try to balance it out better. Now I know i can shift at higher rpm and I'm going to see how that works out.

again thank you all.

You'll get the hang of it, just takes a lot of time and repetition. Just practice toward smooth shifts (that doesn't necessarily mean slow action) that result in only brief interruptions of smooth acceleration. If you're accelerating hard (such as onto the freeway) quick shifts at high rpm are perfectly fine, even if you let the clutch out a little quickly and get the little push of engine inertia. Overall, reducing clutch slip will reduce clutch wear, but don't worry about it for now unless you're smelling the clutch frequently...

[subx]

Originally Posted by Janunez90

thank you all for the insights. I will try to practice harder.

I do give it gas, sometimes even more than required and i feel the slippage on the clutch due to friction it creates, so i try to stay away from that. I'm going to try to balance it out better. Now I know i can shift at higher rpm and I'm going to see how that works out.

again thank you all.

To shift smoothly you are going to "slip" the clutch a bit, that's how you get a smooth transition between gears. The engine/clutch take a second to line up under normal driving conditions. As long as you are doing this for it's intended purpose (getting a smooth change) and not for extended periods or doing it to hold your car on a hill or whatever, it will last you a long time.

As you get a bit more experienced you will be able to do this a bit faster, but for the smoothest shift it will always be slower than when you are pushing the car hard and not as concerned about smooth.

This is actually a great car to learn on - the clutch/transmission are pretty robust for the engine size.

[mike the snake]

I experience the same issue. It is very hard to drive the BRZ smoothly while short shifting (shifting at lower rpm). After a while I have somewhat figured out how to smoothly shift, but it's hit or miss, not consistent.

To get seamless, butter smooth shifts, I have found that shifting at 4K rpms works great. The higher rpms apparently cause better rev-matching when shifting normally, and it is MUCH easier to shift smoothly at or around 3750-4000 rpm.