Hi all, this could very likely be one of those things that are common on AP1's...

I'm a new owner, and I notice when I shift fast into 2nd gear it'll grind gears. Is it just general practice to gently shift into 2nd? I feel like you have to shift relatively quickly due to losing rpms so quickly.

 

yes it is one of those things that are very common with the AP1`s.
its usually when your transmission is still cold and not fully warmed up.

after i replaced my OEM knob with an ARC shift knob (without the locking nut) i grind/mis shift ALOT less. your hand feels like its literally ON the transmission. :]

 

I would try some of the new reformulated Honda fluid. It is the one with the grey bottle, green label and a white cap. Made a world of difference on mine around the same miles.

 

The Fluid does help a little bit, bot does not get rid of the problem by any means. The New Honda MTF stuf workd decent for a few weeks, but then goes right back to feeling notchy again. I personally prefer to use the Amsoil MTF which has cut down on some of the notchiness and seems to be lasting failry well. I also hear that changing the clutch fluid helps some but i cannot confirm since I havent done that. Maybe somone can chime in and confirm that. All in all, it is normal, just go easy on it till the tranny warms up.

-Ian

 

I find that second gear just needs to be hit just right. You have to slow down a split second and make sure your foot is all the way to the floor, or second will spit it out. The shift angle is tricky too. It has to be all the way to the left and straight back. if you try to put any angle on it, at higher rpm, the gate will catch and it will grind. I find that these two things fix the grind 99.9% of the time.

The Honda MTF is good stuff, but with any fluid the butter feeling lasts only a week or so. I feel the clutch fluid, and an adjustment helps mostly to speed the clutch disengagement. The syncros work hard in this car, and the clutch being fully disengaged in an instant is important for shift timing.

 

The grind only gets worse. Try the fluids but your synchros are likely shot. My 2001's 2nd gear synchros were replaced under warranty at BOTH 8K and 16K miles. Dealer agreed it was not my technique. That's a big reason I dumped that car before the warranty was up.

 

This is occurring when the car is warmed up, and after I've been driving for like 20 minutes.

It could be very likely my shifting technique. I owned a Prelude before and I COULDN'T shift into 2nd with the shifter all the way to the left; it always had to be slightly away from the far left.

Can anyone else confirm that for 2nd gear, you have to be EXTREMELY accurate, else the gear grinds? If the synchros are on its way out I may want to dump the car and perhaps spring for an AP2.

Also, when I replace the transmission fluid, do I need to do a full reflush? Or just drain the fluid and refill?

 

The S is similar to your old Prelude in that you dont want to pull the shifter left, just straight back. No need for a flush on the tranny fluid, just drain and refill.

 

- It's the driver.. I had the same problem when I first got my AP1 with 90k miles.. After a few months of driving the car I can now shift as fast as I want without grinding... Learn to drive your car before you start spending money..

 

I'm totally happy if it's likely the driver. I've just never driven a car with a transmission where you had to pay so close attention to how you shift. It's kind of annoying to be conscious whenever I shift into 2nd but i'm hoping with longer ownership I'll reduce the grinding issue.