I'm taking my car in for service tomorrow, as the sensor likes to imagine my key is in the ignition long after I've turned the car off and pulled it out. Ever since I purchased my car, upshifting to third has been notchy. It almost feels like it wants to grind, but doesn't quite.

I remember reading before that this is a common problem. Is there a fix? Should I even bring this up while at the dealership, or learn to live with it? The other five gears feel smooth as silk.

 

I would also like to know about the 2nd to 3rd shifting problems. I am currently having that problem with my car

 

'04s and '05 are still a little notchy, but 100% better than the earlier cars. IMO, the S2000 box at it's worst (our 2000) was still smoother than my old MR-2 Turbo at it's best! If you're coming out of one of our FWD cars that use cable shifters, it takes some time to get used to feeling the synchros doing their jobs. The gearshift goes straight into the transmission so you're bound to feel something.

BTW, my 2005 also thinks the key is still in the ignition. I have to put it back in 1-2 mm and it "clicks" and then it 'remembers' the key is out. I want it fixed, but it can wait till the next service. I would be interested in knowing what they end up doing for your car.

 

There isn't a lot of info to go on. Have the service tech look at it.

 

Basically, it feels like the gear is about to grind on the 2-3, even with the clutch to the floor. It's the only gear it happens in. It doesn't seem to happen when downshifting into third... so I'm wondering if maybe this is a syncro problem.

Anyway, I do plan on letting the techs check it out. I'm just a little anxious. The driveway to my dealership makes it VERY hard not to scrape the front... crossing my fingers they don't if a test drive is required.

 

FWIW, the 2-3 notchiness in my MY04 seems to have gradually gone away in less than a year of ownership. Maybe your MY05 will do the same.

 

I have an 05 with less than 2k miles and every once in awhile I feel the same thing. It does not do this all the time, all other gears shift like silk. I will live with it unless it gets worse.

 

i have the same thing but the way to fix it is the driving style. Shifting lower rpm seems this to happen but when i shift like 4-4500 shifts perfect.

 

mine does the same (2-3 notchy) but goes away after 20 minutes.

I just double-clutch and rev-match until it is warm.

 

I have the 2-3 gritch in my 03 (yes,I realize it is a different tranny) but put it down to the synchros doing their job, which take all of about 1/2 a second. I just shift into 3rd. until I feel some resistance (synchro contact) and maintain some slight pressure and it falls into gear once things are working together. All my gears have this 2-stage mechanical feel with no grinds and I consider it normal. I thought 6th. may have had a problem but found that to be quite nice at 105mph, so I agree that higher RPMs make for better shifts.