I have the 6M and have noticed that altho shifting is very smooth in all other gears, going from 5th to 6th is very difficult. It does not slide easily so I have to literally SLAM it into 6th. Does anyone else have this problem? Is this just the way the tranny is, or is there something wrong?

 

Goes smoothly for me.

 

You shouldn't have to use force to put it into any gear! Have the dealer check the synchro in 6th

 

6th is all smooth over here.

 

Just curious how you guys shift from 5th to 6th? Do you make the 5>6 shift as if you're shifting from 3rd to 4th (just pull it straight down)? If so, I think that's where the problem is. You need to apply a slight force to the right when you shift from 5th to 6th, then it'll go in smoothly. Just like the 1>2 shift, you pull a little to the left when you shift. Think about it, where does the shift lever sit when it's neutral? In between 3rd and 4th. So the only shift changes that move up and down smoothly without applying any side forces are the 3>4 upshift and 4>3 downshift. The TSX is our (my wife and I) first 6MT car, and we both have no problem shifting from 5th to 6th.

 

I'm with vwong. It's not force but direction you have to concentrate on.

How long have you had your TSX? I mis-shifted the first couple days but never since.

 

Maybe its hard shifting to 6th because of a unconscious fear of accidently shifting into reverse.

 

TSXinCA,

Please do a search on this topic. I think it has been covered at least twice on this board and at least once on the evil (I mean, old) board. I find that holding the stick in the 11 o'clock position and shifting from 5th into 6th in the 5 o'clock position does the trick.

Have fun with your ride!

 

The advice by vwong & id888 is spot-on. In addition, I'll add that I think the 6MT shifts best in general if you use a very light touch. It doesn't take much effort (force) to hit any shift. I find I get the smoothest shifts when I just grip the shifter gently with my fingertips, as opposed to holding it tight like a fist. In fact, sometimes the effort is so light (like the 2-3 or 3-4 shifts) it almost feels like the shifter is being pulled into the next gear. As much as anything else, it's that light, precise feel that sold me on this car. When I read that someone has to SLAM it into gear, I have to think something - mechanical or operator-induced - is wrong.

 

Don't be afraid of putting it in reverse. TSX has an electronic lockout that won't let you. I was afraid to test it for a month, but now I'm happy I did. You can push the stick to the right, and then down and it goes in pretty smooth. Now first to second is sometimes another story . . .

 

On my test drive getting the TSX into 6th kept resulting in grabbing 4th. I tried about 3 times before 6th finally took. It felt like it didn't want to go in. Maybe I'm use to the S2000 shifter and it was a simple mistake on my part but it sure didn't feel that way.

 

Sixth gear is new to me too.

The ~sense~ I get when shifting from 5 to 6 is to travel a bit right-ward (away from you) on the path down. With that in mind, I have no problems shifting from 5 to 6.

 

I have no problems going into 6th either...definitely apply a down and to the right force to get it into 6th...going straight down will make it tougher and a higher chance of going into 4th.

 

6th was new to me as well but the advice by vwong & id888 is exactly what i've been executing and i've had no problems

 

I think you're right. I've been so afraid of accidentally putting it reverse that I think I'm pulling too much to the left. Even though I know you can't put it in reverse when the car is moving forward, its an unconscious thing. I tried making sure I shifted straight down into 6th last night, and it did go much smoother.

Thanks for the tips, guys!