Jerky at low RPMS

DIGItonium · 08-13-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

No offense to any of the posters but its pretty basic driving here to get the car to pull away without jerking. Its not the car - its the driver not adjusting to a new vehicle. Once you spend a little time with the car you'll figure out how to use the clutch and shift properly.

It took me awhile to adjust from the 350Z, and I had lots of issues because of clutch pedal "play" (funky engagement point) and clunky shifter.

khtso · 08-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

It took me awhile to adjust from the 350Z, and I had lots of issues because of clutch pedal "play" (funky engagement point) and clunky shifter.

I don't see it so much as that for me. Even after I've fully engaged the clutch, and I'm in first gear accelerating, say from 2500rpm up, if I do it slowly and smoothly, the car jerks/bucks slightly once or twice (not really a large buck, but it hesitates and the RPM fluctuates slightly). It's weird. It almost seems as if the electronic throttle is modulating up and down a few times.

FricFrac · 08-13-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khtso

I don't see it so much as that for me. Even after I've fully engaged the clutch, and I'm in first gear accelerating, say from 2500rpm up, if I do it slowly and smoothly, the car jerks/bucks slightly once or twice (not really a large buck, but it hesitates and the RPM fluctuates slightly). It's weird. It almost seems as if the electronic throttle is modulating up and down a few times.

If its uncontrolable then it needs to go in for repairs.

mspeasl · 08-13-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khtso

I've noticed this from when I first got the car, but now finally decided to ask you guys about it. At low RPMs, like in first gear leaving a stop light, the car feels jerky. I watch the RPMs, and they don't go up smoothly but the car kinda bucks slightly. It happens every time. Seems to only be an issue in 1st and maybe 2nd gear, when accelerating slowly. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just my car?

I have been driving a stick shift non stop since 1959. I currently have an X-Runner 6sp and I traded a 350 6sp for a new 370 6sp. I have had injected small block Chevrolet drag cars with stick shifts as well as Big blocks. I must say that the 370 has the touchiest Clutch that I have ever driven!! But, this "Appears to be Common" for the car. I thought at first it was me and old age (67) and time to give up the manuals. Then I went back to my dealer and told them I wanted to drive a "Z" on their lot. I took it out and guess what? It reacted the same way as mine. There was another thread on here that some have readjusted their pedal travel and have helped the problem. But so far I have not found the time to try it myself.

Red370 · 08-13-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspeasl

I have been driving a stick shift non stop since 1959. I currently have an X-Runner 6sp and I traded a 350 6sp for a new 370 6sp. I have had injected small block Chevrolet drag cars with stick shifts as well as Big blocks. I must say that the 370 has the touchiest Clutch that I have ever driven!! But, this "Appears to be Common" for the car. I thought at first it was me and old age (67) and time to give up the manuals. Then I went back to my dealer and told them I wanted to drive a "Z" on their lot. I took it out and guess what? It reacted the same way as mine. There was another thread on here that some have readjusted their pedal travel and have helped the problem. But so far I have not found the time to try it myself.

67 and driving a Z, you sir, are my hero.

spearfish25 · 08-13-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Under normal driving I have to take it easy on the 1-2 for a smooth shift.

Yep, 1st gear allows you to feel the engine's torque the most. Drive along in 1st gear at 3k RPM and then floor it. You'll spin the tires and your neck will snap back. Do that in 6th gear and you'll slowly accelerate. The lower the gear, the more torque you'll be experiencing. This can make the herky-jerky feeling if you aren't smooth on the accelerator and also makes the 1-2 shift the most challenging for smoothness. This is also why you should start off in 2nd gear from a stop when driving in snow so you don't spin the tires as readily.

Red370 · 08-13-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Yep, 1st gear allows you to feel the engine's torque the most. Drive along in 1st gear at 3k RPM and then floor it. You'll spin the tires and your neck will snap back. Do that in 6th gear and you'll slowly accelerate. The lower the gear, the more torque you'll be experiencing. This can make the herky-jerky feeling if you aren't smooth on the accelerator and also makes the 1-2 shift the most challenging for smoothness. This is also why you should start off in 2nd gear from a stop when driving in snow so you don't spin the tires as readily.

ive tried this and it is VERY hard to avoid stalling, guess I should really give it some juice, maybe thatll work.

spearfish25 · 08-13-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

ive tried this and it is VERY hard to avoid stalling, guess I should really give it some juice, maybe thatll work.

I bet you'd spin the tires if you pop the clutch at 5k RPM from a stop in 2nd gear.

Red370 · 08-14-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I bet you'd spin the tires if you pop the clutch at 5k RPM from a stop in 2nd gear.

I will try this tomorrow with haste!

DIGItonium · 08-14-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khtso

I don't see it so much as that for me. Even after I've fully engaged the clutch, and I'm in first gear accelerating, say from 2500rpm up, if I do it slowly and smoothly, the car jerks/bucks slightly once or twice (not really a large buck, but it hesitates and the RPM fluctuates slightly). It's weird. It almost seems as if the electronic throttle is modulating up and down a few times.

Understood. Magazines gripe Z/G having an on/off abrupt feeling with the clutch engagement.

When you release the clutch in 2nd gear too slow or fast will be abrupt. This is where you need to pivot your foot (ankle) back as you let out the clutch so it doesn't engage too abruptly. It's hard to describe. Let's say the ball of your foot is on the floor when you start in 1st. When you go to 2nd, lift the ball of your foot a few inches off the floor and quickly and fully press down the clutch pedal with your toes, then engage 2nd, and pivot your foot back as you release the clutch pedal before applying gas.

Pressing down the clutch pedal quick before easing it out seems to smooth out the engagements regardless of RPM... and I can get things smooth and fast as low as under 2k RPM.

ZForce · 08-14-2009, 01:54 AM

Great thread guys, a lot good info. I thought the car was starving for gas until I found this thread.

armensti · 08-14-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I bet you'd spin the tires if you pop the clutch at 5k RPM from a stop in 2nd gear.

i dont think thats possible....... is it?

Gaiiden · 08-15-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armensti

i dont think thats possible....... is it?

I know you can easily spin through to third gear if you floor it, so I would think this is possible. What were your results Red370?

Red370 · 08-15-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaiiden

I know you can easily spin through to third gear if you floor it, so I would think this is possible. What were your results Red370?

sure as shyte, I chirped a bit. However, to start slowly from 2nd while preventing the engine from bogging will take some practice.

Gaiiden · 08-16-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

sure as shyte, I chirped a bit. However, to start slowly from 2nd while preventing the engine from bogging will take some practice.

I once actually rolled away from a light in third gear in my 350Z - I came to a red light that turned green right away and did not remember to shift back to 1st :P It took me a few seconds to realize what I did, the engine just bogged down so I instinctively gave it more gas until I was moving. I wouldn't do it again on purpose tho!

08-14-2009, 01:54 AM	#41 (permalink)
ZForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 2,359 Drives: 09 370Z Tour + Sport Rep Power: 21	Great thread guys, a lot good info. I thought the car was starving for gas until I found this thread.