First Time Owner Questions...
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Originally Posted by WayneCallar' timestamp='1340191432' post='21796542
Regarding number two, don't all cars centre below three above four?? Hence neutral? All my previous cars have!
Notchy 1-2 shift? This is not a mechanical fault until it's done poorly repeatedly. Then it becomes a mechanical fault later. Shifting is not like pulling a big lever like you see in the Frankenstein movie when the mad doctor yanks on the big lever to complete the circuit. It's more like a 2-stage motion - one to leave the gear you're in and one to enter the next gear. Thinking you can pull with one, quick motion is another novice trait. (This may work with a '72 Datsun pickup truck where it doesn't really matter how you shift it.) Also, when the tranny is cold, the driver must use the proper technique to get the gear changed smoothly. It's always easier to suspect a mechanical problem than it is to think it just might be the operator.
Back in the early days of the S2000, quite a few locals complained about the notchy 1-2 shift. I test drove a lot of those cars to diagnose what might be wrong ................. NOTHING! All those drivers came from automatics or it was the first short throw, close gated, 6-speed they've ever driven. "But it never did this with my 5-speed Integra!!!????" Umm, OK, so what's your point?
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Well, not exactly new to stick, or 6-speeds for that matter, actually learned on one. I've just noticed, and maybe it's just me, that this one seems almost eager to lineup for 5-4 downshifts as opposed to 5-6 upshifts, unlike most other 6-speed boxes I've driven. Most likely just me though.
As for the notchy 1-2 shift, it isn't constant, and it isn't under hard driving. I've experienced it more when shifting more delicately around town, where I encountered a fairly distinct, audible notch into second. From what I've read, this is just indeed a trait of the gearbox, though regardless I'd like to change the trans fluid simply as I can't know for sure how it was driven by the previous owner and if or when it was ever done prior to me taking delivery.
And BTW, I never owned a Teggy...
As for the notchy 1-2 shift, it isn't constant, and it isn't under hard driving. I've experienced it more when shifting more delicately around town, where I encountered a fairly distinct, audible notch into second. From what I've read, this is just indeed a trait of the gearbox, though regardless I'd like to change the trans fluid simply as I can't know for sure how it was driven by the previous owner and if or when it was ever done prior to me taking delivery.
And BTW, I never owned a Teggy...
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The Integra was just an example and part of the story. I've owned a few 6-speed manuals - TT Stealth, Viper, Corvette ZR-1. None of those were anything like the S2000's tranny. Those past experiences = zero.
The reason why it's easy to do a 5 to 4 shift instead of a 5 to 6 shift is because the centering spring naturally takes you there. Without applied pressure to the right to counter the spring, you will not find 6th easily.
Notchiness is related to many things ............ fluid temp, engine rpm, clutch/throttle/shifter synchronization. Depending on the temp and engine speed (how you are driving, mildly or more aggressively), the timing of the operation of the clutch and throttle and shifter movement will mediate the notchiness. Once you understand what you need to do and when to do it, there will never be any notchiness. But since nobody can consistently do it perfectly every time, there will always be the occasional notch, but as you get better at it, these will become few and far between. It doesn't have to be under hard driving or under mild driving. The fact that you say it's not constant is a good indication it's not a mechanical problem. This indicates that sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. If it did it all the time, then it would be the hardware or the fluid.
Read "hecash's" post. His points are right on the money. He's one of those guys who knows his shit.
The reason why it's easy to do a 5 to 4 shift instead of a 5 to 6 shift is because the centering spring naturally takes you there. Without applied pressure to the right to counter the spring, you will not find 6th easily.
Notchiness is related to many things ............ fluid temp, engine rpm, clutch/throttle/shifter synchronization. Depending on the temp and engine speed (how you are driving, mildly or more aggressively), the timing of the operation of the clutch and throttle and shifter movement will mediate the notchiness. Once you understand what you need to do and when to do it, there will never be any notchiness. But since nobody can consistently do it perfectly every time, there will always be the occasional notch, but as you get better at it, these will become few and far between. It doesn't have to be under hard driving or under mild driving. The fact that you say it's not constant is a good indication it's not a mechanical problem. This indicates that sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. If it did it all the time, then it would be the hardware or the fluid.
Read "hecash's" post. His points are right on the money. He's one of those guys who knows his shit.
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