Manual Transmission Tips

[MacAttack7]

I've gotten much better & I'm also right around 3,500 miles. The trick for me with the 1-2 shift is to push down much deeper on the throttle than what would seem normal when going to 2nd gear. It seems like there is a delayed throttle response or just not enough of a response if you don't go deep; if you press down on it any slower or more gradual you end up with the herky-jerky shift.

I guess that's how best to describe it. I was trying to figure out how I do it on the way home today. I'm not sure if I also press down on the throttle earlier in the clutch release. I'd try a deeper stab first. If that doesn't smooth it out try a deeper stab in combination with hitting the throttle earlier than what would seem normal (for instance instead of hitting the throttle just as the clutch is coming to the engagement point; hit it a little earlier in the clutch release).

 

[zoomzoom9]

Wow am I glad I found this thread. I've been driving stick since my first car in 01 and I've got 3,500 miles on my 2 and I can't seem to get it down. Going from a Neon with a lightweight flywheel/PT Cruiser clutch was just about complete opposites and I thought that was why I sucked............ but nothing has ever taken me this long to adapt to!

The 1-2 shift sucks no matter what I do. I think I got a good one... ONCE.

Would a short shifter help or is it just the gearing change from 1 to 2? It almost seems like first is short, second is tall and there's just no good way to get a solid fast shift.

If the DBW on my LSx that's going into my Miata is this bad, I may have to rethink my setup, lol. (hi)

I really don't have much of a problem getting into 2nd any more, but periodically I'll run into issues. Typically, I have issues when I go high on the revs in first gear, so I think the issue is really the ratios, I don't think a short shifter would help (would be interested to see if anyone tries it though!). I find myself shifting out of first gear almost immediately after getting going...only problem is, can't do that when I need a fast start.

I think all cars have an issue between 1st and 2nd gears...the upper gears are always going to be much smoother. You could always go the way of a friend of mine, who never started his car in 1st gear, always in 2nd...then again, he had to have the transmission replaced around every 30k miles.

 

[MacAttack7]

Is it just the gearing that makes 2nd gear to hard to get just right, or is there more of a throttle delay in 2nd gear?

I know it doesn't really make any sense that there would be more throttle delay in one gear vs another, but it sure feels that way to me.

Sometimes I can get a really smooth shift going to 2nd, & it's usually if I start pressing the throttle down a millisecond before I start letting up on the clutch.

 

[XCLR8TN]

Is it just the gearing that makes 2nd gear to hard to get just right, or is there more of a throttle delay in 2nd gear?

I know it doesn't really make any sense that there would be more throttle delay in one gear vs another, but it sure feels that way to me.

Sometimes I can get a really smooth shift going to 2nd, & it's usually if I start pressing the throttle down a millisecond before I start letting up on the clutch.

The first to second gearing (now that I'm running the car harder) is really sucky. If you are just doing a mid-range-around-town-rpm 1-2 shift you don't notice it as much. But on my way to work there is a stop sign.. I stop, turn right and go up a steep hill. First gear pulls hard to 30mph/redline and then 2nd gear is a DOG. I mean it's just horrible, it barely feels like I'm making any forward progress. I don't know if there are any aftermarket gears or anything like that in Japan land but at this point I'd consider changing lol!

 

[zoomzoom9]

The first to second gearing (now that I'm running the car harder) is really sucky. If you are just doing a mid-range-around-town-rpm 1-2 shift you don't notice it as much. But on my way to work there is a stop sign.. I stop, turn right and go up a steep hill. First gear pulls hard to 30mph/redline and then 2nd gear is a DOG. I mean it's just horrible, it barely feels like I'm making any forward progress. I don't know if there are any aftermarket gears or anything like that in Japan land but at this point I'd consider changing lol!

I agree! I drive through plenty of mountains and second gear is an absolute dog. I try to stay out of it as much as possible when going up hills. On flat ground it's fine, but I find that I have to rev it really high in 1st gear before dropping into 2nd gear or it just feels limp. My thought is that they did this intentionally to keep gas mileage high (essentially forcing people not to accelerate quickly!).

 

[vdsracing]

A bit off-topic but didn't have any better place to ask.
What is the fgr of the us-spec mt 1.5 model??

4.1 or 4.388?

thanx in advance

 

[MacAttack7]

Is FGR the "final drive ratio"?
If so, I show it is 3.850 for the manual, 4.147 for the auto.

 

[vdsracing]

Yes,thank you Mac.

 

[Garfcamen]

I definately feel better reading this thread. Have had my 2011 Mazda 2 for just over a week, 500 miles on it & feel like a clutch virgin in this car. I've driven on a clutch since 1976. I've put 195,000 miles on my 1999 Nissan pick-up & am still on the original clutch, driving a MT is normally second nature for me. I've owned just 1 automatic in 35 years. I've been challenged by the clutch on my Mazda 2, especially on hills. Sometimes I get it right & it's smooth as silk, more often than not though, revs are too high or too low & clutch is either in too far or out too far.

I also have a 2010 RX-8 & found getting that proper clutch/accelerator combination took a bit of time to work thru. I'm hoping the Mazda 2 adjusts to me or I adjust to the car within a few weeks.

Garfcamen

 

[fam]

I think the difficulty stems from this motor not making noise and revving to over 2k just by touching the throttle. Taking off is easily too much gas (using too much clutch) or the chug. Never had these kinds of mild difficulties with my mustang or focus (or even the nascar I drove in Florida), I find myself turning off the radio to hear better so I can take off. once im going I know the rpms well enough after a week that theres no jerk. I may install a catback just to hear it. ;-)

 

[MacAttack7]

Sure makes me feel better to hear others with problems.
I've got 4000 miles now & still haven't mastered the clutch, but it's much better than it used to be.

Starting on a hill just plain sucks (still), and the very quiet engine as you said makes things tougher. I worry about my clutch life as not one day goes by that I don't have at least 1 launch where I accidentally rev to 3000 rpms.

 

[wreckerboy]

I think the difficulty stems from this motor not making noise and revving to over 2k just by touching the throttle. ... I may install a catback just to hear it. ;-)

Every time my wife stalls the car she says the same thing - "Dear Mazdaspeed, when are you coming out with an exhaust for this thing? I CAN'T HEAR IT!!!"

 

[DaleNixon]

I have to admit my driving got a lot better when I installed my Racing Beat muffler.

 

[zoomzoom9]

Well, now that I've got nearly 12k miles on my 2, I have to say, I've learned how to start on hills without a problem! I guess I should thank all the jerks that stop way too close behind me on the inclined hills that forced me to master it ;-)

 

[MacAttack7]

Well, now that I've got nearly 12k miles on my 2, I have to say, I've learned how to start on hills without a problem! I guess I should thank all the jerks that stop way too close behind me on the inclined hills that forced me to master it ;-)

What's the technique? I use the handbrake method most of the time now.

 

[fam]

Ive never used the parking brake in trying to take off on a hill from a stop, might try that once for fun. I just keep it in neutral till the lights about to turn, put her in 1st, lift clutch till just before she grabs, quickly remove brake and give it more gas than usual so it will have no chance of stalling while letting go of the clutch...zoom!.

 

[XCLR8TN]

I think the difficulty stems from this motor not making noise and revving to over 2k just by touching the throttle. Taking off is easily too much gas (using too much clutch) or the chug. Never had these kinds of mild difficulties with my mustang or focus (or even the nascar I drove in Florida), I find myself turning off the radio to hear better so I can take off. once im going I know the rpms well enough after a week that theres no jerk. I may install a catback just to hear it. ;-)

Adding a muffler definitely helped! Just do it! I'm 8k in and have mastered it... until I switch shoes :/

 

[Yurich]

Also, try folding the rear seats down! I've been driving around like that for a week and can hear the exhaust twice as loud (that's right, no $ for muffler yet )

 

[PGTBrow]

The 2 makes me miss my hydro clutch on my Probe. I hate the DBW feel. I drive all sorts of trucks and tractors on the farm and I don't think I have ever stalled/rough started a vehicle more than my 2 lol.

 

[nutmeg]

If you wear running shoes, puffy basket ball shoes, old man loafers, or shoes with air bubbles/gel insoles, get better shoes like sambas or puma speedcat. I think puma is one of the only names that make casual style shoes designed for driving. or drive barefoot.

I switched from f50 ins to predator ins and was a little jerky for a while. (the f50 is just a glorified sock) you wouldn't try to play the piano with ski gloves on would you?

I test drove the 2 and blamed everything on my shoes.