Yes this has been discussed before but I thought it would be usefull to take a poll. So for you 6MT owners ... do some of your shifts feel notchy and/or rough?

Specifically, I find 2nd and 3rd gear on the TSX to be notchy/rough. Second even feels like it might grind sometimes ..but it hasnt yet.

Please vote, i am curious.

 

I used to drive a Jetta 5-speed. Compared to that, a Saturn's shifter feels like butter.

Seriously, my shifts feel fine. There is a hint of notchiness in gears 2 and 3, but you kinda have to expect a little bit.

 

Well for me I would consider it more than a hint. Like I said..every once in a while second feels like it might even grind. Its usually when the syncros are in play.

 

There must be a bit of variation in there. I have found that the faster/harder I try to shift, the notchier it feels. If I just flick the shifter with wrist pressure, it goes in like butter.

 

Ya its weird...sometimes it just slides in....some times its really rough...and most times its a bit notchy. I am still trying to find the perfect way to do it. Another strange thing is that when i shift while making a turn at a light, the shift feels smoother. Maybe I somehow shift differently when I am turning?

If I shift slowly it helps too, but I think thats just because the rpms come down more and the the syncros dont come into play. Just a guess.

 

i think with the cars being built now, it's a lot better than the ones made 4 months ago. same being said with the decrease in rattles.

 

Why do you get that impression? I seriously doubt it. Look at the rattles poll. Not to mention the shifting issue goes back as far as the first RSX...so you would think they would have fixed it by now.

 

then hope it gets better over time. i'm sure with 10,000 miles it will be smoother, cars need to be broken in.

 

also, just start the car in 2nd as much as you can, like don't stop ALL the way at a stop sign, if you're moving 2mph, keep it in 2nd, don't go into first gear again.

 

Thats what I was told by my dealer, and thats what I am hoping.

 

I don't have any problems with 2nd or 3rd gears, but I find it difficult to shift into 6th. Have to slam it into gear, it doesn't slide anywhere near as easily as gears 1-5. Anyone else experience this?

 

That's my impression of the shifter on my Accord. When the car was brand new, the shifting was pure heaven--absolutely and consistently as smooth as silk or butter. Then, something happened, and shifting was stiff and hellish. After about six returns to three different Honda dealers for warranty servicing, they improved the shifting, but it was nothing close to the first two week's of ownership.

I figured that my shifter suffered from MPD--multiple personality disorder. However, over the years--and I mean 10's of thousands of miles--the shifter eventually became smoother. The car is now 13 years old with over 108,000 miles, and it shifts well except when very cold.

 

6TH isnt any more notchy than any other gear for me.

 

Going from 1st to 2nd is sometimes notchy for me. I have 6100 Miles.

 

I've noticed that to shift smooth to 6th you have to slide more to the passenger side (as in where reverse is) then it shifts very smooth.
Be sure you are also up to speed to get a good shift.
You did not mention any surrounding circumstances so....

 

Roadrunner's right on. (BTW, I think the 6th gear issue has been covered before) If you grab the knob at the 10 or 11 o'clock position and direct it towards the 5 o'clock position, 6th gear will seat nicely.

I'm still trying to understand why the Honda engineers would want 6th to be a bit of a pain to find...

Oh, and in case someone's planning on asking, you CANNOT accidentally go into reverse while hunting for sixth. There is a lockout (just like first gear).