Hi Everyone,

I picked up my MY04 three weeks ago and I am soooo happy with it.
On thing I've found a little strange is when changing from 1st to 2nd it's a little clunky, it feels like the clutch hasn't engaged fully.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

heggem,

A lot of owners experience this. Do a search for "notchy" or "notchiness" and you should come up with some relevant threads. My '02 feels pretty notchy when upshifting into 2nd gear. I also sometimes feel resistance and get the occasional grind.

I got the tranny fluid changed a few weeks ago, and that didn't help this behavior much. But yesterday, I got my clutch fluid bled and changed, and the upshift into 2nd seems to feel better. It's still too early to say for sure, though.

What has helped myself and others is to try shifting into 2nd with the shifter pressed firmly against the left of the gearbox. In other words, use the left wall of the gearbox to guide the shifter into 2nd. Doing this doesn't completely eliminate the notchiness for me, but it definitely helps.

 

Let the gear box oil warm up and the shifting should be smoother!

 

It is better once it's warmed up and as you put more miles on it. Try moving your seat up a little. Sometimes if the clutch doesn't get past a certain point, you could go "clucky."

 

I only have 400 miles, and noticed the same thing, but i has improved just in the few miles I have run it - I expect it to get much better based on other S2000 cars I have driven.

 

For me it started the day after it was 65 degrees down to 35. Before I put it in storage I pushed 900 miles, and it has gotten better. I assume it to be nearly non-existent especially when it warms up and I drive it again in the spring.

 

I noticed a marked improvement in the shifting this afternoon when the temps actually got to around 40 degrees for the first in two weeks. The gearbox has been getting smoother since I picked the car up last weekend, now with 850 miles on it and the weather warm up its shifting really smoothly. Of course, now its over the 600 miles run in period its getting more power and revs put through it too which may help the box to break in.

 

Hi all!

I have about 1500 miles on my 04 now. When it is cold, the tranny is VERY notchy and will grind if you try to shift quickly.

However, once the transmissions warms up the transmission doesn't grind at all and shifts perfectly.

It is actually amazing the difference in the shifting between when the transmission is cold and when it is warm.

My advice: "Shift slowly and carefully until the car is warm. Then feel free to go nuts!" And, yes, I do think it is lame that you have to baby it until it warms up, but I SOOOOO love this car so I will put up with it

Good luck!

Mark

 

mine is still notchy from time to time even after 45,000 miles. Oh well~

 

Thanks All,

I am not alone! I was a little bit worried that it was just on mine. To be honest before I got the S, my Civic Type R box was similar but not as pronounced.

Thanks for your responses.

heggem