2nd gear sucks !!

DIGItonium

2nd gear has always been an issue coming from an '03 350Z. I couldn't get into 2nd when accelerating or launching hard (felt like a newb). Once the revs went down, then I was able to get into 2nd. A few years later the transmission started to grind consistently in 2nd and 3rd, so it was replaced in '06. Things were great for a few months, and then things started to get notchy again. It became one really loud transmission... clunky and embarrassing.

What I learned with the Z is to be a bit more patient when shifting at low speeds. I've had my 370Z for a year with 10k miles, and the transmission is much more pleasant than the two I had in my 350Z. It still gets notchy at times, but nothing compared to the old car.

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jtown82

if you roll it like you stole it. your Tranny can crap on you very quick. new or not. thats alot of moving parts and friction. and if you suck at shifting or are power shifting its gonna burn up parts even quicker

tonybui

I just finished my break in period and I don't drive like I steal it, don't even power shift, the worse I could do is burn my clutch. But this is transmission proble
. At 2000 miles it's a bit quick, even my old si shift better

SophiaZ

I have the 7sp, but it seems from going from 2nd to 1st is abit jumpy. No biggie. Seems normal for the car

PapoZalsa

Is normal to me, my 350Z was the same. Just need to get some practice shifting.

Anyway is not a bad idea to have it check by the dealer.

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2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

370zjames

OK!!! I just found the same problem with 2nd gear!! (

370zjames

i feel ya!!! OH man i thought i was crazy!!!!

OKC Z

I have the same issue with the 2nd gear. It happenes to me on occasion, yesterday I grinded 2nd gear. what i have noticed is on full throttle and nearly or do hit the limiter it wont let me into 2nd until rpms drop to 7k or lower. Also i have noticed if im the throttle and I don't have full traction ( tires breaking traction even slightly ) the gates wont let me in the next gear. It comes out just it would, but bumps into the gate for a fraction of second until tires grip. So i say its normal unless it does it all the time under normal cruise driving. Just my opinion.

ImportConvert

Could be any number of things ranging from "normal" to a slightly bent shift-fork to a synchro going out to ground up teeth on the gears due to improper use (abuse/ignorant operation).

Usually a bent shift-fork will result in the car popping out of gear on hard acceleration.
Usually a messed up synchro will produce a "grind".

I am leaning toward it being normal. Some transmissions are just "notchy".

DIGItonium

Even with casual driving 2nd or 3rd would grind every once in awhile like a hiccup, but lately it seems to take more effort getting into 2nd. On the to-do list is changing out the gearbox fluid... something I never got around to doing in the '03.

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Mt Tam I am

I got a new engine at 2900 miles. Mechanical items can have unexpected problems.

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Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

tjlazer

I also have the problem of when I pull hard and try to shift it clunks into gear. Not worried about it. It only happens when I do this, normal driving is fine.

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2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

whoady4shoady

1st 2 2nd is awful to me also, and I have never driven the vehicle hard. Its actually worse at lower rpms than higher. It almost feels like 2nd gear has two teeth to pass through in the gate at times. Its really strange. Im only at 10,000 miles guys. I test drove 2 others not to long ago, and they actually felt worse.

11Thumper

It could just be the 'character' of the mechanics. My S2k has a crap 1-2 gear shift (always has) and I just work around it.

6MT

What's the big deal with 2nd gear? No problems with mine.

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D