Hi everyone. I recently took delivery of a 2004 Sebring Silver S2k and I'm loving every minute of it. I've been browsing these forums for quite some time and thought it was time to say hi and ask a couple of questions.

I've read a lot about the 1-2 notchiness/grind issue when shifting. I too have experienced this notchiness. Unfortunately, a couple times when I haven't really been concentrating, the notchiness causes a bit of a grind. I'm just wondering how much damage I'm really doing to the transmission every time I grind the gears? I'm also wondering why exactly this notchiness is present?

I've been driving manual for about 5-6 years (in Honda cars: Prelude, CL-S) and I've never had this problem before. This is really bothering me because I feel like I've never been driving manual properly or something.

Anyhow, just want to say hi again and say just how useful and informative this forum is. S2000 owners are the best! I can't believe all the waves I get from fellow owners! It's great!

 

welcome! enjoy your stay as much as you enjoy driving your car =)

 

Welcome I can say that in 11 months Ive done this only once, my fault I was half asleep, and didnt rev it enough. So my guess is that it has to do with the revs that you are doing and not labouring as was in my case.

 

yeah...it seems like when i'm driving faster or shifting at higher RPM's, the problem totally disappears...haha...it goes from being notchy to being the quickest and smoothest shifter i've ever laid my hand upon!

 

You have to remember the S2000 shifter is connected to the transmission with a solid shaft instead of a cable, like the other cars you mentioned. The cable has some give and covers up the feel of the shift gates in the transmission. You can feel all the mechanical bits with the S2000 shifter. Everything typically feels slicker when the transmission warms up, get the right shift timing and when you're driving in a more sporting manner.

 

My MY04 GPW had, when brand new, a very noticeable notchy feeling on the 1>2 shift and to a lesser degree, the 2>3 shift when cold. Once the transmission warmed up, this improved signficantly. My car has approximately 2100 miles on it now and the entire drive train has loosened up and smoothed out a lot.

I still get a little notchy feeling on the 1>2 shift when everythings cold but it's nothing compared to when the car had less than 100 miles on it and it usually because I got a little sloppy with the clutch. If I'm conscious of the clutch peddle hitting the floor during the shift, as apposed to "not quite getting there," the shift will be completely smooth. Also, at least when it's cold, don't try to set any speed records shifting the transmission, particularly at the lower rpms, say 3k to 3.5k.

As Fongu said, you've got a direct mechanical link between that shift lever and the transmission itself. You're going to feel things that you'd never notice in a car with a cable operated shift mechanism. Give the car time to break-in and loosen up. This process will continue long after that magic 600 mile VTEC number. Also, give yourself time to get used to it, regardless of how much time you've got on other manual transmission cars. I know I'm still adapting to my S. It's just that much tighter than anything I've driven before.

Drive Safe & Enjoy!
Steve R.

 

you guys are right...lately i've been trying to focus a lot more on shifting especially when the car is cold or i'm driving at a slower pace...the problem's always occured when I feel that notch/resistance going from 1-2 and sometimes think that I'm in gear. Then when i release the clutch, I realize it's not in 2nd. But when I push the clutch in again and try to shift, it grinds!!

i always thought the "drive it like you stole" it term only related to the engine, but when you're drivin' it like you stole it, the transmission is just that much sweeter as well!!!

 

agree with above posts...notchy 1-2 shift when car is cold...try doubling the clutch on the 1-2 shift when cold

 

In this situation, just pushing the clutch in again won't do it. You have to move the shift lever back to neutral, and then into gear again. This engages the synchros once more, eliminating the grind. This behavior is common to all manual transmissions.

 

thanks dhayner. I never knew this!!