Not so smooth shifting feeling

[edido]

Hi,

I now have about 850 miles on my ITS.
- I recently noticed that when I change gears, 1-->2 or 2-->3 or 4-->5, I feel sometime "bumps" . Like movement to get into the 2nd gear (or other) is not smooth and I can feel some bumpy resistance. It feels like the gear box a bit "lose" and if I don't perfectly align the movement of the stick I feel "bumps". Other times the feeling is smooth. When I just got the car, the shifts were super smooth.
- I didn't drive manual for last 15 years, and don't have much experience with "new" gears.

I can take the car to my dealer. I wanted to ask here if anyone experiences similar? Or, maybe can explain if it's a potential issue?

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[Azkyrie6]

Hi,

I now have about 850 miles on my ITS.
- I recently noticed that when I change gears, 1-->2 or 2-->3 or 4-->5, I feel sometime "bumps" . Like movement to get into the 2nd gear (or other) is not smooth and I can feel some bumpy resistance. It feels like the gear box a bit "lose" and if I don't perfectly align the movement of the stick I feel "bumps". Other times the feeling is smooth. When I just got the car, the shifts were super smooth.
- I didn't drive manual for last 15 years, and don't have much experience with "new" gears.

I can take the car to my dealer. I wanted to ask here if anyone experiences similar? Or, maybe can explain if it's a potential issue?

I think I can relate in a way. I felt that at times particularly 1->2 or downshifting to 2. Then I figured out that I was pulling the shift knob too hard to the left and it felt different. I’ve since been easier with the motions. Direct motions up down left and right if you can and less diagonals.

passing the point of break in the shift does feel easier or it “glides”. Little bit less crispy notch engagements.

lastly, be sure to fully press down on your clutch when shifting, maybe not to the floor everytime but you need a good feel for where the disengagement point is. Last thing you want to do is have gear selector rub on gear wheels.
If your shifts still feel crunchy could be the synchromesh bite. You’ll have to develop a feel what RPM’s your transmission shifts most smoothly. A little synchro bite is okay. Just continue learning the car and pay attention to your technique

 

[heatrate]

I had a problem when shifting to the lower gears in the shift pattern -2, 4 and 6 especially to 2nd gear. The shifter made a different sound somewhat like a loose rattle sound. Shifting to 1, 3 and 5 didn't do this. I took it to the dealer and the technician confirmed something wasn't right and identified the problem was the shifter cable between the shifter and the transmission. The cable was replaced and the shifter now feels great and doesn't make the noise.

 

[Azkyrie6]

I had a problem when shifting to the lower gears in the shift pattern -2, 4 and 6 especially to 2nd gear. The shifter made a different sound somewhat like a loose rattle sound. Shifting to 1, 3 and 5 didn't do this. I took it to the dealer and the technician confirmed something wasn't right and identified the problem was the shifter cable between the shifter and the transmission. The cable was replaced and the shifter now feels great and doesn't make the noise.

Damaged steel shifter cable? I wonder if they know the default setting the cable needs to be at. Either way glad you got it fixed. That cable coming loose while driving wouldn’t sound like a good time

 

[optronix]

Damaged steel shifter cable? I wonder if they know the default setting the cable needs to be at. Either way glad you got it fixed. That cable coming loose while driving wouldn’t sound like a good time

This happened to at least a couple people with brand new Porsche 718s. Not sure it was damage, just misaligned from the factory. One pic had a brand new car with 1200 miles on a flatbed. Could not have been a fun experience.

My experience with this shifter has been nothing short of fantastic. It is still a bit harder to get into 6th than other gears, but I feel like that will improve over time as I get more highway driving in.

 

[edido]

Thanks for all responses here. I am taking the car to the dealership this week. Will keep you posted what they find. I am not taking it back until it's fixed for sure. It just getting worse every day.

 

[RamVA]

Thanks for all responses here. I am taking the car to the dealership this week. Will keep you posted what they find. I am not taking it back until it's fixed for sure. It just getting worse every day.

If it's getting worse every day then there's a decent chance it's a hydraulic issue - the master cylinder, the slave cylinder, or the line may be leaking. Make sure they check that.

 

[RCX]

Watching.

My experience with <400kms, shifting is perfect. Will change transmission fluid to Amsoil with 1st oil change.

 

[nawfoo]

I like to briefly pop it into N before shifting instead of jamming it directly into gear. It resets the synchros and it feels smoother. I also don't fist the shift knob like Vin Diesel and just lightly ease it into gear.

 

[Azkyrie6]

Watching.

My experience with <400kms, shifting is perfect. Will change transmission fluid to Amsoil with 1st oil change.

theres a certain Amsoil that does not have API certification. Just keep note of that because Acura could look at the oil and fluids used if there’s every a warranty issue

 

[GTO]

I like to briefly pop it into N before shifting instead of jamming it directly into gear. It resets the synchros and it feels smoother. I also don't fist the shift knob like Vin Diesel and just lightly ease it into gear.

Sorry, I just couldn't miss the opportunity to use this

 

[edido]

An update:
- The dealership checked the transmission and they said it's "normal" (they also checked for any leaks). They said that when the car was brand new it was more stiffer and hence I didn't feel any "bump/resistance" when shifting 1-->2 or 3-->4 or 5-->6. They had two technicians drove the car.
- I still don't fully trust them and would like to ask for help here.

Looking for someone from the Bay Area (CA) who has ITS or FL5 and some technical knowledge / experience with transmissions. I would like to meet and have you drive the car with me. This will help me to either live with it and get better at shifting, or go back to the dealer. Please DM me if you can help.

 

[Krazydan19]

I’ve got 340 ish miles and in my experience with this car it’s not a “slam gears car” When I was a young kid I used to no lift shift my EM1 Si and it loved it Slamming all those gears. I don’t feel that in this transmission, not a bad thing just likes you to just guide the shifter to the next gear rather than force it. My 2 to 3rd Shift is just a palm push, 3rd to 4th 3 finger pull, never try to put much pressure in the shifter rather let it run its path it’s designed to go on That’s atleast how mines been.
I don’t know if this is any help, just make sure clutch is full engaging and giving the car it’s needed revs.

You said 15 years ? What kinda car was it ?

 

[edido]

I’ve got 340 ish miles and in my experience with this car it’s not a “slam gears car” When I was a young kid I used to no lift shift my EM1 Si and it loved it Slamming all those gears. I don’t feel that in this transmission, not a bad thing just likes you to just guide the shifter to the next gear rather than force it. My 2 to 3rd Shift is just a palm push, 3rd to 4th 3 finger pull, never try to put much pressure in the shifter rather let it run its path it’s designed to go on That’s atleast how mines been.
I don’t know if this is any help, just make sure clutch is full engaging and giving the car it’s needed revs.

You said 15 years ? What kinda car was it ?

Thanks!

2-->3 is the smoothest shift and I also use palm push. 1-->2 and 3-->4 is where I need to work harder. I am trying not to apply much pressure, but I wish it was smoother. If it is how the transmission was designed, I will learn to live with it. I just want to make sure my car has no real problem.

Clutch is so light, and I find it's easy to fully engage it. As for revs, I am shifting in the 3500 range.

I had Golf GTI.

 

[Krazydan19]

Thanks!

2-->3 is the smoothest shift and I also use palm push. 1-->2 and 3-->4 is where I need to work harder. I am trying not to apply much pressure, but I wish it was smoother. If it is how the transmission was designed, I will learn to live with it. I just want to make sure my car has no real problem.

Clutch is so light, and I find it's easy to fully engage it. As for revs, I am shifting in the 3500 range.

I had Golf GTI.

3500! 5k - redline is what Honda like to be wound up. VW “German cars” much different gear box. From my experience.

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