Guys,

For some reason, I don't feel that my shifter is very smooth at all when shifting into 3rd and 4th gear. The reason I feel this way is because when I shift into 5th and 6th gear...it has a very smooth feel to it. But when I shift into 3rd gear (especially) and 4th gear....I sometimes feel that it doesnt mesh correctly and gives the non-smooth feel to it. I understand that part of the feeling is that the shifter is going thru synchros (correct me if I'm wrong), but it shouldnt feel that rough to me right?

Can you guys tell me about how your shifter feels with regards to all the gears? Is it a very smooth feeling to them?

Thanks.

 

I sometimes have that feeling. Some shifts are sooo smooth, like taking a hot knife to butter, but at other times, it feels notchy, almost like i'm fighting w/ the car to get it into gear.

 

Did you change the gear oil go the GM stuff?

 

Mine feels fine. When you shift from second to third, do you follow the lines, so to speak, or do you basically just push it on a straight diagonal? I do the latter and have never felt anything odd. All of my Honda-built vehicles over the years have allowed this (think of the 1-2-3-4 gear pattern as being almost a backwards letter "N"). It threw me for a bit of a loop when I first drove my RX-7 and found that I need to follow the lines in there!

 

Mine is sometimes a little notchy into third gear. I've found that double clutching as per Southernboy's numerous posts on shifting helps. My RSX Type-S was similar. I've never had a problem with fourth gear.

 

I read the post on changing the MT oil to the GM stuff but was not sure if the GM oil affected the shifting of the shifter itself. I guess I will swap out the oil and see if it will make a difference. Thanks!

 

I believe the shifter becaming smoother after i swapped it. But if your gonna do it I hope the dealers near you have the stuff in stock. I ordered mines online but you have to order 6 bottles for them to ship it too you.

 

GM Syncromesh - Friction Modified Manual Tranny fluid... this oil works better w/ the synchros on our 6MT's. Others have used a other synthetic tranny fluids w/ varying success, but as i have it in mine, everyone who has used it has been happy w/ it.

 

I'm not sure if we are talking about the same thing here, but I also had a problem shifting from 2nd to 3rd, it would feel that the gear would not go all the way in, and sometimes would even pop out. It stopped right after I had my last service, so I don't know if they changed out the tranny fluid as a part of the service, but now all my shifts are smooth.

 

You will find many posts from people who have switched transmission fluid to GM Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid. I was fortunate enough to have a dealer that stocks this fluid and they recommended it. Let me tell you....people on here are not exaggerating about the stuff. It makes a VERY noticeable difference. I had them switch mine out when I went in for scheduled service about 2 weeks ago and now my TL shifts unbelievably smoothly. The difference is noticeable almost immediately.....but it seems to really become apparent once the new fluid has time to work it's way around. I think that doing this is the best solution for this issue that is out there.

 

What kind of cost should one expect from their dealer to swap out for the GM tranny fluid?

 

just go to any GM dealers and buy 3 bottles (make sure it's GMSFM). acura standard labor i guess or any garages. shouldn't be more than $50 for labor.

 

It cost me about 70.00 I believe....for 3 quarts of the GM fluid and the labor at the dealer.

 

I switched to Red Line and can't believe the difference. Did it in the driveway and took less time than an engine oil change. You will no longer think the trans is notchy - just completely smooth.

Regards,
Mark

 

Hey there.

"understand that part of the feeling is that the shifter is going thru synchros".

Shifters don't go through synchronizers and neigther do gears. Synchronizers serve a purpose not unlike small clutches to mesh dog teeth with their "receptacles" in another, different sized gear.

Quite a few people with manuals on this site have complained that after some thousands of miles, they have problems of resistance when shifting into 3rd gear. I have never had this problem with my '04 TL.. it has been butter smooth since the day I bought it. But I did drain the tranny fluid last year and fill with the GM Friction Modified stuff. I saw very little difference since I had no problems initially.

I suspect the Honda manual transmission fluid loses a bit of its ability to work with the synchronizers and this is probably the cause of the problem. Change out your fluid to something else such as the GM SFM or perhaps Amsoil.

 

In the first week I got my TL, I met up with a Q45 also with temporary tags. He reved his engine and I took my Tl up to 5500 RPM like I use to do with My RSX-S. When the light turned green, my TL went no where. My huge ego of owning a new TL was killed. Dynamic Stability Control took over and wouldn't let the clutch out, and after that traction control took over. Aynone Know How to Slam Shift? I know the guys in NASCAR do not depress the clutch when upshifting. I use to do it with my '89 Volkswagon Fox 10 years ago. I need to relearn the technique. 2nd goes in s,ooth at 2300 rpm doing between 25 mph and 30mph. In the same quarter mile, I can drive a RSX-S faster than I can Drive my TL. I have about 2100 miles on my TL so don't poke too much fun at me. Somone please teach me how to drive my beautiful new ride.

 

There's a button to the left of the steering wheel that will turn the VSA off.

 

I would be amazed that NASCAR drivers don't use the clutch when upshifting and resort to "slam shifting" as you call it (what we called bang shifting). I say this simply because of the time it takes and the very real possibility of destroying the transmission.

Some definitions.

Speed shifting - same as shifting normally only done VERY fast.
Power shifting - same as speed shifting, only your foot stays in the throttle the entire time.
Bang shifting - same as power shifting, only you do not use the clutch.

I do not recall ever hearing a NASCAR driver even power shifting when leaving the pits. Again because of the chance of damage.

 

She definatly dosn't like to go from first at 6500 into second without taking the foot off the gass and engaging the clutch. I am a little bit concerned on how much pressure I can use to get into gear without breaking something. When I learn to drive the car correctly, I should be abble to apply full power, and not feel any clutch ride at all. I confess that I was waching NASCAR and they had a split screen, and they showed the driver going from third to fourth without engaiging the clutch. He used it to downshift though. He obviusly knows exactly where in the RPM curve he needs to make that throw.

 

All you need to do to shift from one gear to another without using the clutch is to match the engine speed to the wheel speed for the chosen "to" gear and you can make the shift. However, I most definitely do NOT recommend doing this as you can do serious damage if you screw up. Not a good thing for you fine street machine.

As for "not feel any clutch ride", you should not be riding the clutch at all in any gear at any engine speed. If it is doing this on its own, you have a problem.

 

Maybe I should get this checked out. When I'm accelerating from third to 4th at 60 (not my normal driving habit, but trying to see what she can do), there is some lag in the clutch, I need to take my foot up from the gas a little bit to get it to catch. Does this sound like I have a problem?

 

Krazy - It sounds like you burned out your clutch. It slips under torque and will only get weaker.