have had my TSX for a month and a half now and totally love it. to be really pitpicky, I notice that the 1st to 2nd shift seems to have a bit of a "clunk" (for lack of a better word) when i make the shift lightly that i don't get in the shifts between other gears . Anyone else noticed anything similar? it's not a problem per se but honda gearboxes are usually perfect so just thought i'd raise the issue

 

I have a 03 CLS 6MT and we are all experiencing the same thing with the 1st>2nd shift.

 

I think the word I saw on RSX boards last year was "notchiness". Some of those guys seemed to think that the problem improved as the tranny warmed up to operating temperatures. Maybe it will smooth out after a few thousand miles? Anybody know? Bueller? Bueller?

 

Actually - having owned an RSX-S and now TSX, the TSX feel (and I guess the CLS 6MT ... I had a 5AT CLS) is more of a clunk or harder shift feeling. The RSX-S is really more of what feels like a slight grind or hardness to get in gear. I think we are talking about two different things.

 

some of the stiffness does go away with warm weather but not completely. Seems to be a design characteristic? I test drove the TSX once and didn't notice anything perhaps i'll have to go check it out again.

 

The TSX likes to be shifted aggressively. If you shift it slowly, you will feel a bit of clunkiness in the shifter. However, I have really never had a problem going from 1-2...although I have grinded the shift from 2-3 a few times.

 

okay... so i have a ? about shifting:

1. when you shift from 1->2, 2->3, etc... do you pop the clutch, shift gears, remove foot off of clutch, accelerate?

or

2. when you shift from 1->2, 2->3, etc... do you pop the clutch, shift gears, remove foot off of clutch while slowly pressing the accelerator like when you shift from stop->1?

still a newbie at MT... trying to learn all the tricks.

 

I usually have the clutch pedal all the way out before I get back on the gas. Not sure if this is totally right, but it's how I was taught. You won't stall b/c you're moving, and it tends to eliminate some of the jerkiness that you might get when you're giving it gas.

...So I guess it's most like #1.

 

hmm... interesting. i haven't officially been taught, more like learned on my own. alright, so i guess i'll try to pull my foot off the clutch before pressing the gas again.

now that i think about it... i've been getting about 26mpg, so maybe it'll go up if i don't hit the gas when i'm shifting.

 

I give a little gas to keep the RPM's up if it's a slow shift, but normally I hit the gas right when I release the clutch and zoom off.

 

I also have the same experience on my TSX (1000 miles now). It's not exactly a grind, but as someone said, "notchy" And it only occurs between 1st and 2nd gear while the other gears are smooth.

It also tends to disappear when the tranny is warmed up or when I shift from 1st to 2nd above 3000rpm.

Would low tranny fluid cause this?

 

Going into 2nd feels a little rough for me too. Not a grind..but not exactly smooth.

As far as shifting...you want to slowly give it some gas as you let the clutch out. This is how you get smooth shifts. Not as necesary fro 4,5,6 ..but 1,2,3 you will need to gas out..unless you shft very quickly so the rpms dont fall at all.

Check out this link..

http://www.standardshift.com/faq.html

 

Question about how you guys shift in general. I was under the impression that when shifting you should push the clutch in and let the rpms fall to where the next gear is. This way you reduce wear on the clutch.

 

Right. That's what I was getting at (for an upshift). I don't quite understand what fdl is saying.

 

I've been told that my shifting in the TSX feels as if I am driving an Auto ... no jerks.... no grinds etc. (even between 1st and 2nd).

As I have said before, in my opinion, this is the best manual tranny I have ever driven.

Don't be discouraged, practice makes P E R F E C T !!

TSXKid

 

I am saying you want to get on the gas just as the engine is engaging to make a smooth transition. It really depends on how quickly you shift, and at what rpm. But if the rpms drop too much you will definately NOT get a good shift.

 

For the perfect shifts yes... this doesn't mean you are going to get the best performance but this will cause the least amount of wear on the clutch plate.

The problem is that in the TSX the throttle is "e" controlled... aka drive by wire. It's easier to do a perfect shift in a mechanical linkage (non drive by wire system). The reason is that in the TSX case, the computer is holding on to a higher rpm for better emmisions.

 

So is everyone else finding second a little rough? Actually..I am starting to notice it in 3rd too. If the shift is made at the perfect rpms..its fine. Otherwise its notchy, or a bit rough. Sounds like its got something to do with the syncros? Can someone try this...make a shift to 2nd (try and do it so that the syncros are used) .. and see if if slides in smoothly..or is notchy.

 

I don't usually feel that in 1-2. For me, the notchiest one is 2-3. I get a very distinct "clook-clook" sound (not a "clunk", but a "clook"). There's no grinding. It's not a rough shift. It doesn't sound horrible or anything but it's just much louder there than in any other gear change. The first time my mother was in the passenger seat, she asked me "is it supposed to sound like that?" so it's noticable. I'll pay more attention to 1-2 on the way home from work.

 

Definitely noticeble notchiness on 2-3, before she's warmed up. Within 5 minutes, 2-3 is like butter.

 

Actually, the NSX has the same problem on 1-2 shift.
Clutch must be to the floor. Also many have stated that syncros
are weak.
I've had some grind once ambient temp gets below 60 F.
Goes away after a few minutes.
I suspect it's just part of Honda design so drive easy for the first
several minutes.
Also, congratulate me, I just signed up and my new car is on
dealer order. 1-2 weeks and I'll be official.

 

I have been driving my car in warm weather since I got it (88F up, and most of the time 95F), I did notice the notchiness shifting from 1-2, but still, overall the gear shift experience is very impressive. My car has about 2K miles on it is still the same. As for the shifting technique question asked earlier, I think you just have to match the engine speed with your gear selection. If you let the clutch off completely before hitting on the gas, the car will jerk. This is true on both up and downshift. Of course, on downshift things get a little bit more complicated (heel and toe, which I am trying to perfect it on my TSX). Anybody have the chart on RPM vs Gear vs Speed?

 

I dont think there is a chart for this, but there is a formula you can use to get the speed for any given rpm/gear.

However there is a chart which will show you the top speed (speed at 7100 rpm) for each gear. I think I;ve seen it on vtec.net. If I find it I will post it.