I've been driving manual transmission vehicles since my first car in HS, but this car is driving me crazy trying to make a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd gear. I currently have another Honda product with a 5 speed, and I can shift that transmission very smooth. My 04 TL is driving me nuts, I act like a novice shifting between first and second gear. When I start out in 2nd, it's no problem, just the 1-2 shift. Does anyone else have this problem? I don't know if it's the clutch, or the "drive by wire" throttle not allowing the RPM's to drop back. Whatever it is, it's really causing me to curse this transmission. I'm still glad I bought the 6mt, but I'm cursing at it every day. Anyone found a method to shift smoothly, I'd really appreciate it. I've tried everything, letting out the clutch slowly, keeping my heel on the floor, only partially depressing the clutch on the shift..but nothing seems to work...and this is making me look really bad with my shifting skills. Hey guys, I need some help!!! Lately I've been skipping first gear, and just starting out in second, and the remainder of the shifts are smooth. Thanks for the help!!

 

Is the car new?

The tranny will eventually break in and become smooth as butter. If you wanna be super smooth then just keep the clutch in for about 1 sec to let the ECU drops the revs and then let is out. You'll never even tell you shifted.

 

I have noticed the same thing. Just to clarify one point...it's not the shifter movement that is rough, but the engagement of the next gear. It almost feels like you are droping the clutch in 2nd. I have it mostly figured out, but it is still a little jerky sometimes. I once drove a car with a lightened flywheel and it felt similar to this. The harder I drive it, the less of an issue it is. Maybe that is the workaround

 

yeah... i've noticed the same thing... a friend of mine with an S2K said that his car (and a few others) have a notchy 2nd gear, so, I just thought it was that...

my car is new also, so hopefully when it's broken in, it will be smoother...

thought it was just me...

 

IIRC, the 6MT has stronger/different synchros for 1st/2nd - to handle the strong torque of the motor.

There's been other posts about the 1-2 shift as well.

 

It's the jerky shift, not the actual shifter that I'm referring to. I love the shifter, it's just that I can't shift the 1-2 gear as smoothly as I'd like. Every now and then, I get it right, and it's like sex when it's good...but, when it's bad...it's bad.

 

haha, you'll get used to it. You've got torque now and any little bit of throttle will put that power to the wheels. Even at 2K, this motor is pretty darn strong.

 

The easiest way I found to get used to it that provides the best results for me is always double clutching 1-2nd. I guess it just makes me take a little longer on the shift. All the other ones I granny shift when I'm just cruising.

 

I may change the lubricant to a synthetic. I'm checking to see what is compatible given the LSD.

Don

 

since the gearing is pretty high, you should just shift 1-3. i picked that technique up from this BB. the car runs smoother and its probably less wear on your clutch. i still get to use 2nd gear, only when needed.

 

What I found that works for me to get a smoother 1-2 shift is to pause a beat going from 1 - 2, let out the clutch smoothly but stay off the thottle until the clutch is engaged.

I get the jerky 1-2 when I try to accelerate too much when I'm letting the clutch out.

The big problem with this clutch is that it has no feel to it - very dead - and it makes it tough to feel the point when the clutch is engaging.

 

I've had the same problem. Drives me crazy, as I haven't driven a manual transmission in decades, and I feel like I'm losing my mind!! Easiest thing for me has been holding the clutch, letting the RPMS drop, and slowly letting out the clutch. But damn, i can't accelerate through that 1-2 shift.

Anyone an expert on this? Thanks!

 

Agreed, 2nd gear drive me nuts.

However, my approach is slightly different. I would actually give it a little bit of gas before letting off on the clutch.

I noticed rev-matching doesn't really work on 2nd gear (just my car? Rev matching works great for all other upshift). If I depress the clutch, it pretty much drops straight down to idle (800 to 1000), no matter what RPM I was at when I dropped the clutch.

 

i do the same for quicker 1-2 shift. if you wait for the rpm to drop it will shift in smooth but you will wait that extra second. what i do is give it a little gas and and basically do the same thing i did for first gear but i release the clutch alot faster than when i was in first. its a little trciky and i sometimes release too fast and end up giving it a little jerk but its not too noticable.

 

The problem with the clutch is exactly what is making me have a difficult time shifting smoothly. With all my previous cars, I could "feel" when the clutch was engaging, and that made shifting very easy. This car just makes you work harder for good shifts.
I'm still glad I got the 6MT instead of the 5AT, and this clutch issue is the only thing that I don't love about my new car. No squeaks, rattles, or other quality issues. I do have the little threads poking out the leather holes, but it's no big deal and I pluck them out as needed.

 

I do that also, when trying to shift as smooth as possible.

 

Its always weird when you see a post with the EXACT SAME sentiment "it's just that I can't shift the 1-2 gear as smoothly as I'd like. Every now and then, I get it right, and it's like sex when it's good.. . It drives me nuts. I've been driving MTs for 20 years but this TL's shift from 1st to 2nd just annoys the &@%$ out of me. I only hope it gets smoother with age. Currently at 1700 miles

 

You can let the car work the throttle for you for super smooth shifts.

DOH - think I already posted this.

Just hold in the clutch and the ECU will adjust the revs perfectly. Then you can let out the clutch.

You literally can't tell you shifted, its that smooth.

 

I wish there was a setting in the MID to turn off the auto rev matching. Acura must think were idiots. If you can drive a manual trans, you should have no problem. It seems like the answer to the question nobody ever asked.

Don

 

[
Just hold in the clutch and the ECU will adjust the revs perfectly. Then you can let out the clutch.

You literally can't tell you shifted, its that smooth.[/QUOTE]



I must be doing something wrong, because when I let out the clutch without touching the gas, I get a rough shift even with the revmatching. I'd also rather turn off the revmatching since I've been driving MT cars for years that way.

 

On my drive home tonight, I wound first gear out a little farther and it was much smoother. I usually shift around 3000 - 3500. Shifting at 4000 and up was much smoother. Perhaps it's the clutch tuning. Give that a shot.

Don

 

thats what i do too. i rev the baby up to at least 4000 and then shift. its smooth as silk. i used to own a modified 3rd gen rx7 before i bought the TL and thats how i had to drive that car. the TL vtec engine is probably the same way. its not the car's fault! it just loves to rev!! so rev away!!

 

My TSX/6MT was exactly the same way. Shifting at higher RPMs was the ticket.

 

as an aside I was playin' with the tranny on the 6MT today.

shifting from any gear, no matter what the RPM, was silky smooth letting the ECU adjust the throttle.