Shifting from 1st to 2nd...

[shuura]

so, being pretty much new to manual driving (almost 1 yr) and very new to turbo charged cars, I've been experiencing the majority of shifting difficultly associated with a new manual driver on an alien platform.

I figured it was simply my inexperience, but continued to read of others complaints about the sometimes rough shifting from 1-2 on the MS3. I would constantly pay close attention to matching revs when shifting to second, but it didn't seem to matter. 2nd gear would always come in a bit jerky.

While driving to lunch yesterday, I noticed that the car was behaving very different... Shifting just seemed much smoother for no apparent reason. So, at stop lights, I would monitor my shifts to 2nd and it was totally smooth. I thought I was on to something, so I started watching the rev needle to see if I've found some sweet spot. That's also when I noticed that DSC was off. I must have hit it at some point while leaving the office.

To test, I switched it back on and, sure enough, shifting to second was back to its temperamental self. I switched it back off at the next light, and shifting was smooth again...

I'm unsure if this is actual or a figment of my imagination... Can anyone else confirm/refute? (rei)

 

[JBR]

These are tough cars to drive and they take a while to get used to. I've not shifted with the DSC off except when racing. I'll try it.

 

[coololddude]

The trans. on the 07-09 MS3 is, well, mmmm, RETARDED!!!

 

[shuura]

^ haha!!! that, I can agree with!

 

[619MS3]

Ive had my ms3 for about 8 months now and the 1st to 2nd shift still isnt automatic. I havnt noticed that but imma try it with the dsc off next time i go out. Ive also noticed that the first few shifts when the cars is cold are often worse than when the car warms up.

 

[SKiZZ]

I'm going on my third transmission in my 09 with 30k miles, go figure. Had a brand spanking new one put in at 26k miles. It's not me before any says anything. 6th gear synchronizers this time and seems like 2nd gear is way to rough still. Only mod is an CAI.

 

[gonerogue]

1-2 shift in any car is usually the toughest, I don't think the MS3 is anything special in that regard. I get the smoothest 1-2 shifting when I shift 3500-4000.

 

[meicalnissyen]

my kid just got his learner permit last week

we went thru the neighborhood in my car for about 20 min
lottsa restarts
he kept improving thru the session




at least he is still scared to death of it

need to find him a bone stock brown sentra

 

[meicalnissyen]

my kid just got his learner permit last week

we went thru the neighborhood in my car for about 20 min
lottsa restarts
he kept improving thru the session




at least he is still scared to death of it

need to find him a bone stock brown sentra

 

[MSP300]

i have 09 ms3, i've be driving this car with DSG off for as long as i had it (almost a year now) i even drive it with DSG off in snow, to be honest with you it doesn't make that much of a difference (you do get more boost with DSG off in 1st and 2nd gear), i also have TWM SS and changed tranny oil too
i think this cars have ether timing issue or lunch control issue that's why they are like that
but i also could be wrong cuz im not a mechanic and i never did any kind of serious research on it
just my two cents

 

[LaCroix08]

The trans. on the 07-09 MS3 is, well, mmmm, RETARDED!!!

Thanks so much for this gem.

Anyways, I've read that upgrading the rear motor mount makes the shifting more smooth. Not so sure about the DSC, but I don't think the shifting is that bad to begin with. It's definitely tempermental, but doesn't bother me all that much.

 

[ElGaspo]

The 1-2 shift is my main complaint w/ the MS3. Many fix-its include: shifting >3000 rpm; change tranny fluid to Redline MT90 or the Ford synthetic one [don't have the part #, i'm sure somebody will chime in] ; change the rubber bushings to solid metal ones; really pulling the shifter low, down, and left; and finally, just letting the fluid warm up.

The last seems to be universal and says a lot about the fickle factor. Interesting to note that both 2nd & 3rd gears have TRIPLE cone synchros. Sure looked like a good idea on paper....(pissed)

 

[BillTheCat]

...i think this cars have ether timing issue or lunch control issue that's why they are like that...

Are you saying the MS3 needs to go on a diet? (doh)

I have never had an issue with the 1-2 shift... always the 2-3 shift. The rear motor mount smoothed that out a good bit, and the TWM shifter bushings helped a bit, but I still manage to miss that shift occasionally when driving with increased enthusiasm.

 

[kvndoom]

Are you saying the MS3 needs to go on a diet? (doh)

I have never had an issue with the 1-2 shift... always the 2-3 shift. The rear motor mount smoothed that out a good bit, and the TWM shifter bushings helped a bit, but I still manage to miss that shift occasionally when driving with increased enthusiasm.

Yeah same here. I was running late to work yesterday and trying to gun it up to 50 as quickly as possible, and sure 'nuff I hit a dead spot going from 2-3. UGH, I hate that s***!

My RMM is still sitting in a box in the living room. I seriously need to get that installed one of these years. (gun)

 

[8.5MS3]

do this

http://www.freedomcomputers.net/ms3/videos/finetuneshifter.wmv

 

[coyfish]

Hey guys I haven't driven many other manual cars. Well not enough to notice this. In other cars do you have to shift faster when the A/C is on like you do in our cars? During DD I don't really ride teh clutch. Its a pretty fast press / release as I know where the sweet spots are. No need to feather it. But when I drive with the A/C on I have to shift about 50% faster to get a smooth shift. The rpms drop so much faster.

 

[8.5MS3]

well with the ac on, there is more load since it has to run the compressor, so it would make sense

 

[coyfish]

Yeah it does but I have been in other manual cars and it didn't seem to have such a huge effect like in our car. Maybe it does . . .

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Wow, I have not heard of people complaining about the 1-2 shift. Mostly the 2-3 shift...

 

[Sergius64]

I have some trouble with 1-2 as well. Best results for me is just taking longer to shift, i.e. driving like a grandma.