I Hate The P5 Transmission

[323CiP5]

I always have problems putting it into reverse.
I know others are having the same problem. I've also noticed that there were a few mazda 3's and 6's that had roughly the same problems (difficulty getting into gear, usually 1st, 2nd, and reverse) 2 questions:

1) Are they the same tranny?

2) Is it worth pursuing the STEALership to try and fix the problem? I've brought it in twice already and both times they say nothing is wrong (except second time they blamed it on my short shifter) (They SUCK!)

 

[snowblazin]

Nope, welcome to the wonderful world of Mazda trannys. Reverse can be a b**** as well as 3rd. Don't shift too quick!

 

[nealric]

For reverse, I find letting up on the clutch and pushing it in again usually gets it into gear. Ive heard an explanaion for why this works but cant remember it.

Synthetic gear oil will help things. I dont think anyting is wrong with the car.

 

[khaosman]

Transmission fluid change (to synthetic) seemed to help, or at least made me think it did.

 

[cheapmiata1600]

I usually put my car in first and then reverse. Seems to get everything in the tranny properly lined up.

 

[chuyler1]

Take your foot off the brake pedal and let the car roll a little.

 

[drumsbeloud]

Nope, welcome to the wonderful world of Mazda trannys. Reverse can be a b**** as well as 3rd. Don't shift too quick!

what he said.

 

[NoRotorNoMotor]

i have no problems getting it into reverse

 

[aMaff]

if I'm not mistaken, reverse isn't synchro'd, so if everything's not lined up right, it won't go in. Put it in neutral, lift ur foot off the clutch to turn everything in there and try it again.

 

[chronus377]

i Put it in neutral, lift ur foot off the clutch

That works for me, I tend to do it automatically now without thinking about it. Oh well.

 

[aMaff]

That works for me, I tend to do it automatically now without thinking about it. Oh well.

(yes)

 

[AlbNYPR5]

Third gear issues

Mine started out with a slight grind when shifting into 3rd. I took it to the dealer because there was a TSB regarding a 3rd gear synchro issue so I was trying to get it fixed under warranty. The first time I brought it in they said that "mazda suggests that you press the clutch in for 5 seconds when shifting gears". I wondered if I should just roll to a stop every time I shifted because that makes about as much sense... The second and third time I brought it in for it they couldn't recreate the issue. So eventually 3 years had past so the warranty was gone and then it started popping out of third gear. At first it was rare but then became more frequent. I finally got sick of it and traded the car in. I do miss driving my P5 but I like the 4wd in the tribute when its snowy and the extra room is nice as well.

 

[FrolessWonder]

Take your foot off the brake pedal and let the car roll a little.

winner. It took me a few days to realize that, but thats what it was. it seems like reverse is "gated" if you will, so when it wont go in it is being blocked and when you roll forward and push it into gear, you find the open area.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

honestly all 5 speeds ive ever driven usually every now and then give me a hard time when going to reverse... just let the pedal out and then back down

 

[Martino617]

wow had that s*** happed to me with reverse today at school. I had to let the car roll a couple of feet as well....

 

[Mick]

I usually put my car in first and then reverse. Seems to get everything in the tranny properly lined up.

EXACTLY. Works EVERY time for me. If i dont do this, it doesnt want to go all the way in.

Ive never had any issues with any other gears other than reverse.

 

[Bebe Jr 2005]

a good trick hat has alays work for me perfectly is, even if you are trying to stop the car to go on reverse put t on second gear and then put it on reverse. tha always has worked for me so far since i have been drving standard specially now with my p5.

 

[nvmsp]

Mine never wants to cleanly go into reverse. I pretend the 1st time to put it in reverse ,I just pull the shifter all the way over and lightly pull down but dont try to get it in reverse.

Then i go back to neutral and then go and put it in reverse and it goes in fine.

 

[ejb2112]

Push in the clutch...DUH

Just kidding. Every manual I've ever owned had the synchro issue, and all the above suggestions are good. Nothing to worry about.

 

[The Short Bus]

Everyone I know with a P5 says the same thing. Shift back to neutral, release the clutch, and then shift into reverse. Annoying but reliable.