Notchy Shifting (through all gears)

[Kalel]

I just traded my Automatic 2004 Mazda3 at Mazda of Toronto, and upgraded to a 2008 Manual. This is my first manual tranny car and I am curious if a "notchy" shifter is normal?

I've looked through previous posts and I have found a few people who have similar sounding problems and I think that notchy would be the best description. When I shift from 2->3->4->5 I can usually feel the gears hit and finally mesh together. So instead of a smooth motion in the shifter I can feel a slight hesitation as the gears mesh and then the shifter finally settles into place.

There is no grinding noise and I can't say that I really have to push much harder to get it into gear when it happens, but I can definitely feel a slight hesitation in the stick.

What concerns me the most is that the other cases I've read about here on the forum seem to happen between 1st and 2nd. For me it happens for all gears, 5th being the worst (sometimes I do have to coax it into 5th).

the car has about 600 km on it, so it's practically brand new, and I did take a Manual driving coarse before I got the car, so I feel pretty comfortable in saying that I'ts not something I did :)

Does this sound normal, or should I bring the car in for a checkup?

[Wild Weasel]

If you know anyone who's more comfortable driving a manual, it wouldn't hurt to have them drive it and let you know if they think it's normal.

[Xerox]

WW's suggestion is good. Would be better if it was another Mazda 3 owner.

But could it be the temperature? Does it get better once the car warms up (which by then the gear oil should be as well).

[Noisy Crow]

You may not be shifting fast enough.... if you are letting the engine spool down too much between shifts, you will have trouble changing gears.....

[Skarbro]

I have no notchiness in mine. 1st to 2nd takes a little practice to get right in this tranny. My best advice is to shift close to 3,000 RPMs from 1st to 2nd and let out the clutch a little slower than the higher shifts. Once you get the basic technique down, you can go a lot faster smoothly.

[M3!]

I had a similar problem and thought it was the transmission as well, but all it took was removing the shift boot and re-greasing the parts. Do you find this happens more when the vehicle is cold?

[Flagrum_3]

Try switching to synthetic gear oil, it worked for me, I used Royal Purple.

_3


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[yearoftherat]

Once you become more familiar with the MT ie: when to shift, how much clutch to use, the notchiness will go away.

[Notorious MS3]

It happens too me to, but I just figured it was normal.

[Speedy2008]

I have no notchiness in mine. 1st to 2nd takes a little practice to get right in this tranny. My best advice is to shift close to 3,000 RPMs from 1st to 2nd and let out the clutch a little slower than the higher shifts. Once you get the basic technique down, you can go a lot faster smoothly.

I agree. I use this method also. Works well. Good advice.

[shootemup]

+1 for switching to Royal Purple synthetic gear lube.

This will make your shifts 10 times smoother and it is not as thick in the winter, allowing for better cold shifts.

[Mafty]

i noticed the same thing, and at first thoguht it was me being new to manual, but after a while of driving it i notice that if i shift at a certain rpm and with the right amount of "force" it goes smoothly. also i find if you overshoot the 5th shift it grinds like crazy, you have to only push it a little bit to go smoothly, im still perfecting it on 5th i find it grinds the most for me.

[andytam]

i'm switching to redline MT-90 synthetic this wkend!

[Gods Son]

Try switching to synthetic gear oil, it worked for me, I used Royal Purple.

_3


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Where did you get the Royal Purple from and who changes the oil for you? I get that "notchy" feel from time to time and would like to try something different.

[Flagrum_3]

Where did you get the Royal Purple from and who changes the oil for you? I get that "notchy" feel from time to time and would like to try something different.

I picked mine up from Performance Improvements on Kennedy Rd, but they have moved since.Try SpeedTech Auto, I'm sure they carry Royal Purple along with Redline products also!! their number is 905-294-7778 and located at McCowan & 7 area.

As for installation, I did it at the dealer, (convenience), but if you have the place and the equipment, do it yourself, its pretty easy.


_3


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[Donutz]

i'm switching to redline MT-90 synthetic this wkend!

^^ You will like it.


Where did you get the Royal Purple from and who changes the oil for you? I get that "notchy" feel from time to time and would like to try something different.

I'm sure a sponsor on this forum can hook you up. I get my RP engine oil from Sherman at Speedtech in Markham. I had the dealer change it for me.