Shifting from 1st to 2nd...

[eg6motion]

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

+1. Only when it's cold out does it present a problem for me. I've had manuals since the get-go though so the MS3 isn't all that notchy IMO.

 

[peter.sellers]

+1. Only when it's cold out does it present a problem for me. I've had manuals since the get-go though so the MS3 isn't all that notchy IMO.

Same here. This car kinda reminds me of my ex-gf. She is a b**** when it is cold!

 

[jri4]

1-2 is temperamental for me as well. I haven't had such issues with 2-3, only a few missed shifts. And I was thinking I was the only one!

 

[mzdaspd3]

1-2 is a pain in the ass for me as well........2-3 miss shifts occasionally

 

[tuOdekcalB]

1-2 is always rough for me, i can never get a smooth shift, and 2-3 is just plain annoying, missing like 50% of the time and prob 80% when I am gunning it.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

How many of you have upgraded to a TWM short shifter? It cured a lot of my shifting whoas with this car. As much complaining as I hear about the shifting on the MS3 it really isnt that bad, no worse than most other manual cars. They are still just economy cars with turbos on them...

 

[charlessss]

I turned the dsc off this morning, and I did notice 1st to 2nd was easier to smoothen out. I really don't think I'm imagining things haha.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

There is a great write up with pics and tools needed for going full syn trans fluid. It would certainly cure your problems with 1-2 shifts and cold weather shifting!

 

[shuura]

I've not had an issue with 2-3 so far... my issue is with 1-2. If I shift like Sergius64 says, then it's fine, but sooo slow!

I'll have to switch tranny fluid to full synth and see if it helps.

will a short shifter/new bushings improve things more than stock?

 

[coyfish]

I have no issues at all with missing gears or putting the car in gear. I have the twm stage 2, shifter bushings, and full syn tranny fluid. Everything is crisp and clean.

 

[dkswim]

shift slow and deliberitly while putsing around. you could posiably change fluid. i only had problems when cold out.

 

[charlessss]

no homo.. i started shifting using more of my palm and you will get the 2-3 95% of the time. palm technique. 1-2 is harder for me.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

^^^"homo"^^^ Whats that all about?

 

[BigDaddyMS3]

Secret Sauce

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)

XTM5QS, b-i bicky bi, b-o-boo, as the Three Stooges sang in one episode is the best way I can remember the name of this fluid.

 

[vikonic]

Motorcraft oil, rear MM, bushings, ss plate and it should be smooth like butter.

 

[spiffyone571]

You just need to show it who the boss is

 

[bradboyd80]

1-2 is the worst for me also. Only time I get a smooth shift is <3000 rpm. Never any problem with 2-3 though.

 

[ras]

The 1st to 2nd shift is worse when it is very cold out in the winter. It is now May and it seems a little better now that it is warmer. I just had it to Mazda and the service manager drove it and said it was normal. Car is 2008.5 with only 20,00 miles on it. Love the car, but they could have done a better job on this part of the car. Also, i have been driving manual transmissions for 30 years, so i know it is not my shifting.