1st to 2nd Shifter Issue

Benadrylz

Hey guys.

I've searched around the forums for a while on my issue before posting as I didn't want to rehash something that may already have been answered. I picked up a Pre-Owned 2010 Touring model with Sport Pkg that had accumulated approx. 6k miles. Now it's also my first manual, and although I learned it pretty quickly, I don't know the nuances that most of you who've driven MTs for a while would.

The issue I'm having with my Z is that when the engine is still cold, typically before 180 degrees F, when I shift from 1st gear to 2nd the transition of the shifter into place isn't very smooth. Sometimes I can get it to fall into place easily, but sometimes it feels like my shifter is rubbing against something in the middle of the shift and is harder to shift into place. Is this normal? It feels kind of like the base of the shifter is rubbing against something metal. This goes away when the engine warms up past 180 F. I've read some topics about our tranny being "notchy". Is what I'm describing what "notchy" means?

Tward

I have this same problem as well, i dont know what the cause is either.

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luigi90210

i know exactly what you mean and i experienced the "notchy" feeling as well, i would describe it as hard to get into gear(not smooth like most MT cars), and its the factory clutch, thats completely normal, i have driven manual on a few other MT cars before and the 370z has the nosiest and heaviest factory clutch i have ever driven on, the only way i can think of to fix it is to get an aftermarket clutch, maybe lightweight flywheels but everything that you are experiencing is normal for the factory clutch

Benadrylz

Oh that's a relief if this is normal then for our car. Not having experience with any other MTs, I was kind of worried. ^.^ Thanks guys.

.c2

Try replacing your transmission fluid, if it's hard to shift when it's cold but goes away when it's warm, I think that's the issue. I just recently had that feeling, and also recently found it noticeably harder to put it into 1st from a standstill. Got my transmission fluid replaced and it's muuuuuuuch easier now and feels a lot smoother when shifting. I believe Redline is a popular brand here... The shop that I went to went with Fuch's

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luigi90210

Do you think the fluid will fix that?

I get all of those issues but I was told the clutch on the car is the problem.
When should someone change fluid on their trans anyways, I always thought 25k miles was time but I only have 19K on my car.

roy'sz

Do the diff and trans at 30k

Juice14

I get that too even after the car is warm. Ive missed second gear a couple of times when trying to shift fast.

.c2

I can't say I'm 100% sure the fluid will fix that problem. I've had that problem and the fluid fixed it for me, but I didn't start noticing that issue until I hit about 28k miles. However, before 28k miles and after the fluid change I don't have that issue at all. I've also driven my friend's 370z with the stock clutch and he doesn't have that problem either

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Tickwomp

I too found it difficult to hit the 1st to 2nd shift hard consistently and would often miss or grind 2nd.

I've been driving manual transmission for about 30 years so I've gone through some different cars for sure.

After analyzing my shifting in the Z, I noticed that I would put some significant pressure on the stick towards the left when moving the shift lever downwards towards 2nd. This transmission does not like this sideways pressure at all.

When shifting angery now, I put a concious effort to simply move the shift lever downwards and not put any sideways pressure on it. Shifts fine now and I can bang 2nd as hard and as quick as I want.

Tick

Hbomb

Had the same issue. After searching some threads, I started shifting from 1st closer to 4k rpms, phenomenally smoother/ Give it a whirl, It feels allot better

Grindkiezer

Noise when going from 1st to 2nd *Help*

You're not the only one with this issue. Search harder next time

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Z

Benadrylz

Sorry that I didn't think of the right terms when searching. Like "noise" or "catching". I'm at fault for describing the issue differently than you.

Grindkiezer

It's okay, I forgive you

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Z

Mandingo

I noticed this to be true a while back as well. I wonder if realigning the shift plate could help? Realign 350z shifter plate

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