I now have a 2002 S2000. 15,000 miles on it now. I don't really drive the car in the winter, I have a SUV. When I'm not driving it, I still take it out every week so it isn't sitting for 3 months.

Anyway, it may be "me", but it seems when I shift from 1st-2nd, 2nd-3rd, I can't get the crisp shifts I used to. You know, that nice thunk, snap from gear-to-gear. Everything seems fine when starting out in 1st, no issues. Is it just me (gotta get back in the groove I think), or could it be something else?

I take the car in for it's 15k service on Tuesday. My dealer gives 4yr/50 for free if you do all the "scheduled" maint in the book. I do the oilk changes myself though.

 

I've got a 2003, and the shifts are smooth as butter on it. Maybe you need to change your transmission fluids? I'm using Honda's high performance fluid and its sweet

 

Mine are smooth, it just they don't seem do get that "snick" between shifts. You know the jerk/clunk between shifts. I'm hoping it's just me?

 

Many of the people here (including me) have had good results whit the GM friction-modified tranny oil. Plenty of info via the search. Good luck.

 

AS I had more time to drive the car, it's really shifting from 2nd to 3rd that just seems to run together. I think it's my shifting? Am I letting the clutch out to far?

 

It could be your technique, but it's hard to say. Maybe you should have another S owner drive your car.

Have you changed your tranny fluid?

 

I know exactly what you mean. My S2000 is an MY05 and I have the same feeling from 1st to 2nd (when it hits 2nd) and from 2nd to 3rd (when it hits neutral in between the shift). My car has about 12,600 and change. I took it to Honda and they couldn't "reproduce" it. So I'm thinking of following these peoples advice and change the regular fluids.

 

Yea, I think it's me. I had my buddy that has a 99 M3 drive it, and he shifted it like how I used to make it shit, very well. I don't know what I'm doing wrong??? 2-3 seem won't give me a nice crisp shift.

The car has 17k on it, do I need to change the tranny fluid already?

 

That's quite a jump in the time line on this one. Started the thread in April, then no activity, and it starts back up in September.

If you're not driving the car through the winter, I can imagine that you'll get rusty on your shifting techniques. Not a big deal, just get the practice. In your case, with the mileage you report, I'd think you're well past 15k by now, and assuming you haven't done it yet, I'd change the tranny and differential fluids. I did mine at a little over 13k miles and the difference was very noticeable. The "GM synthetic friction modified" transmission fluid (you can find it at Hardtopguy's web site and you'll need two quarts) improved the feel of my transmission significantly.

Beyond that, as I get the impression you already know, producing smooth shifts is just a matter of timing between hand, throttle and clutch. It's just practice. You mention "letting the clutch out too far?" I'm not sure if that's how you really meant to word that? You should always let the clutch "out" completely. If you're not actually shifting the transmission, you're foot should be on the floor. Don't hold your foot over the peddle.

On the other side, one problem I sometimes have is, "not pushing the clutch all the way to the floor!" It's like my left leg gets lazy and the peddle never makes it all the way down. The result of that, as often as not, is an unwanted crunch. Even if I don't' get the audible "crunch," I can usually feel the synchros working through the shift lever that tells me I just pushed it a little. I try to push the clutch peddle down with enough authority to feel it hit the floor. I'm don't mean to do this with the force you'd use to stomp a roach, but just enough to know it's hit the stop. I've found that when I'm doing this well, my shifting works better.

Hope this helps!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

I get the 1-2 crunchies now and again, and it's annoying, especially if I just made a right on red and I'm trying to get up to speed.

I'm ordering the GM synchromesh today, and I'll see if that helps. I've been driving stick with no problems for 20 years, so I don't think it's me.