Not so smooth shifting

[dlinde]

Before I bought an Integra I saw a large number of reviews that praised the transmission for being “buttery smooth”. However, now that I have one, that doesn’t seem to be the case for me. There is often resistance in the stick when sifting between gears, especially 3rd to 4th, almost like you’re trying to slip shift. And getting it into reverse often takes multiple attempts. I took it to the dealer and they said there’s nothing wrong with it. Am I crazy, or are others having the same experience?

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[BKK Jack]

I got my car on Saturday - and also a case of COVID - so I haven't put that many miles on it, but so far I'd say it's a little stiff, but in a really good way. Maybe "molasses" smooth is a little better descriptor than "buttery." It will likely loosen up a bit the miles are put onto it. The only problem I'm having with reverse is that my last 2 cars over the last 8 years had reverse left and up. It's going to take me a while to get used to right and down.

Although, every manual car I've driven over the last 40+ years sometimes has a little issue going into reverse. Either coming off the clutch and reengaging it and trying again, or letting off the clutch just a bit while trying to engage reverse should get it there.

 

[NCmich19]

Before I bought an Integra I saw a large number of reviews that praised the transmission for being “buttery smooth”. However, now that I have one, that doesn’t seem to be the case for me. There is often resistance in the stick when sifting between gears, especially 3rd to 4th, almost like you’re trying to slip shift. And getting it into reverse often takes multiple attempts. I took it to the dealer and they said there’s nothing wrong with it. Am I crazy, or are others having the same experience?

Had similar experience until everything got worn in a bit. Somewhere around 1000 miles, didn’t notice anymore. Now around 8000 miles and can call it one of the better manuals I’ve driven.

 

[Escobar929]

I got my car on Saturday - and also a case of COVID - so I haven't put that many miles on it, but so far I'd say it's a little stiff, but in a really good way. Maybe "molasses" smooth is a little better descriptor than "buttery." It will likely loosen up a bit the miles are put onto it. The only problem I'm having with reverse is that my last 2 cars over the last 8 years had reverse left and up. It's going to take me a while to get used to right and down.

Although, every manual car I've driven over the last 40+ years sometimes has a little issue going into reverse. Either coming off the clutch and reengaging it and trying again, or letting off the clutch just a bit while trying to engage reverse should get it there.

My only experience w/ the Integra/Si MT is from test drives. I would describe them as notchy, which to me is a good thing.

I too am going to have a hard time w/ reverse, my last 4 cars (15 years worth) have been up and left and my M2 is that way too so its going to be a while before I get muscle memory and remember which car is which

 

[dlinde]

Had similar experience until everything got worn in a bit. Somewhere around 1000 miles, didn’t notice anymore. Now around 8000 miles and can call it one of the better manuals I’ve driven.

I only have 400 miles on mine. Maybe I just need to wait.

 

[dima_n]

When comparing to my '06 CRV the shifter, it is so much tighter, it took me a little while to get used to the Integra shifter. After a little over a month I drive both the old CRV and the new Integra without issues. Integra made me realize just how sloppy the old shifter in the CRV is at this point.

 

[TheRas900]

More notchy than my '07 TSX with 185,000 miles on it, but still the best manual out there. It's the main reason I went with the Integra over the new Z, WRX, 86, GLI/GTI etc.
However, the OPs issue seems like something more than notchiness. For instance, I have no issues engaging reverse gear on mine with under 500 miles.

 

[jtrader]

Before I bought an Integra I saw a large number of reviews that praised the transmission for being “buttery smooth”. However, now that I have one, that doesn’t seem to be the case for me. There is often resistance in the stick when sifting between gears, especially 3rd to 4th, almost like you’re trying to slip shift. And getting it into reverse often takes multiple attempts. I took it to the dealer and they said there’s nothing wrong with it. Am I crazy, or are others having the same experience?

I don't have a Teg, but I did replace my Civic shifter wtih a Type R 2020 shift assembly. Based on your video, mine is a lot like yours. Notchy and direct, but certainly not buttery smooth. It requires decent effort to go into any gear. A weighted shift knob (>1 pound) helps but it also deadens the feel a little bit. I swap out knobs occasionally depending on my mood. Despite the extra effort that a short shifter requires, it is still night and day better than my oem civic shifter.

 

[JohnV]

With about 2000 miles I'm going to second the "notchy" description versus smooth. A couple of points.
1. I came from a BMW MT6 and I think the Acura is comparable. I consider that high praise.
2. I quickly got used to down and right reverse, and now like it MUCH better. I have to jockey back and forth to back into my 2 car garage, because there are two cars in the driveway, in addition to the one in the garage, and it's easier than the Bimmer.
3. In the Acura, I experience both rev matching and rev-hang that are unlike the BMW. So this is a change, and I am used to it. While I can't say I prefer it, I've found advantages and have no interest in going back.

 

[RB2490]

Before I bought an Integra I saw a large number of reviews that praised the transmission for being “buttery smooth”. However, now that I have one, that doesn’t seem to be the case for me. There is often resistance in the stick when sifting between gears, especially 3rd to 4th, almost like you’re trying to slip shift. And getting it into reverse often takes multiple attempts. I took it to the dealer and they said there’s nothing wrong with it. Am I crazy, or are others having the same experience?

I would not call the integra buttery smooth. It's not like the Hondas in the past its more mechanical which I think is a good thing because the car shifts with purpose instead of that "buttery" feeling that makes the car feel less engaging.
One thing I learned about this car is that it likes to rev, so shifting at higher rpms makes the shifts alot smoother from my experience

 

[OEMjoe]

Shifter feel is more tactile, while the clutch engagement is pretty smooth. Sport mode is fun but the clutch engages smoother on comfort/normal cause you have more throttle control. Verified via the passenger lunge test

Not as related but i don't particularly enjoy the boominess of the piped in sound w/ the sport mode on during down shifts. Wish those sound levels were an option on the custom menu. Now, if Acura just gave me the source code....

 

[stellarrock]

I had a similar issue with my 2018 Type R where the shifts felt muddy and at times crunchy. Not sure if that makes sense. It's like I was rowing the gears through mud filled with light gravel. After 2500 miles I changed the transmission fluid to Amsoil and there was a noticeable difference where it felt less muddy. Maybe it'll work on the Teggy as well.

 

[dlinde]

I had a similar issue with my 2018 Type R where the shifts felt muddy and at times crunchy. Not sure if that makes sense. It's like I was rowing the gears through mud filled with light gravel. After 2500 miles I changed the transmission fluid to Amsoil and there was a noticeable difference where it felt less muddy. Maybe it'll work on the Teggy as well.

Actually, crunchy is a good way to describe it. Oddly, I’ve found that if I put it in 3rd before shifting to reverse, it slides right in without any issues. I’m going to have the dealer look at it again the next time I take it in for service. If they don’t find anything I might have to try changing the fluid.

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