I just recently sold my 2003 350Z, which had a number of manual transmission issues. I now own a 6MT TL and sometimes I notice some difficulty shifting smoothly into second in the morning? Is this a common trait? Also, is anyone else having any trouble with this tranny in general. it was my impression that Honda made one of the "best" manuals in the business, so I expected perfection!

Love the car!

Stu E.

04 Satin Silver/Ebony/6MT

 

2nd is kinda notchy at cold start... even when you actually move the shifter its notchy there as well... after warm up it pretty much goes away

 

Yep, shift to second is slow to synchronize when cold. Clears up for me after a minute or so - basically my first shift out of the driveway is always 'notchy'.

 

same here. I notice that if I hold first at a little bit higher mph the tranny seems to want to shift to second with no problem or notch. I'm not saying that I hold it up to 25 mph or anything, I'm just saying that I'l get the rpm's up to 3 and then shift if it feels especially notchy. But a majority of the time I don't bother and can feel the synchros aligning up between 1-2.

-Chad

 

The TL does shift a little hard when cold, but after warm-up, it's like butta. My wrx was a major pita to shift into 1st when it was cold.

 

Anyone put Redline transmission oil in their TL yet? If so, any noticeable difference and which one, MTL or the MT-90?

 

One more confirmation on the cold 1st to 2nd shift. I have 300 miles, and have noticed the 1 to 2 shift is a little more forced first thing, but it warms up really nice. Glad to know it isn't just me.

 

I've 5500 miles. Still 1st to 2ns is cruntchy in the morning and heavier than other even during day. 2-3-4-5 and back are like butter cut with a hot knife. 1-2 is like with a cold knife.

 

I have Redline MTL in mine, works great.... The crunch on 1-2 is virtually gone, even on the 20deg. Michigan mornings.
For $8.00/qt. x 2, it's nice stuff. I run Mobil 1 in the engine, so why not put syn. in the tranny too?

 

Cool. I've run Redline tranny fluid in all my cars. I was wondering which one to use. Thanks.

 

Every morning it is crunchy. It gets better after a few miles, but second gear is still harder to get into than any other gear...I don't think it is anything to worry about though, since it gets so much easier once the car is warm...

 

Any ideas on if we should use Redline after break in or before and will this cause any potential warranty issues switching from the factory gear oil?

Thanks for all of the helpful comments,

Stu E.
04 Satin Silver/Ebony 6MT

 

i had the same problem here and 2 and 3 does feel notchy when cold. it was alot worse when i first got the car but got better as i got more miles on the car. also after the breakin i drove it a little harder and that seemed to loosed things up a bit as well. hopefully it will be silky smooth as time goes by even when cold.

 

Hummm.... I had about 1,000 miles on mine. I guess that would be after break in...
Don't know about the warranty thing... might ask your service advisor at the dealership. Honestly, I never thought of that. I just switched it.
Pooch... maybe nothing to worry about, I just hate that feeling, feels like I'm grinding them down. I'm just sold on the Redline MTL... It would take a castistrophic (I know that's spelled wrong) failure to change my mind.

 

i guess im one of the few with no problems cold shifting..that sounds like a great idea using syn tranny oil next service im switching...jjay.
slvsixspd nav spoiler, 18" rims and some other stuff im to lazy to type in..hah hah
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/550993

 

My service rep said "don't" use syn in the trans. Had a reason which made no sense but having asked they probably have an out when it comes to wty??? Mine is high effort into 2nd when cold but very smooth after a mile or so. I go downhill from my driveway so I just skip 2nd oftentimes if really cold. 6th is just a little higher effort on mine, same thing on my S2000. After a couple of shifts into 6th it is easier but never as light as the other gears.