2.5 grinding 2nd gear.

[Chrisinski]

I am sure many of you are aware of this problem. In our 2.5 mazda 3s most people have been experiencing problems grinding from first to second gear. I have looked on many other forum sites and most 2.5 owners say this problem exsists.

My thoughts are we make a list of people who are effected by this problem or have had this problem in the past so we can use this for a possible factory recall issue. I have yet to read any factory recalls on this so if you are aware of it please let me know.

1. Chrisinski 2010 2.5

[pwdunmore]

Some of the speeds have this problem too, I believe the first step to having your transmission oil changed to something better... not sure what the 2.5's use but a lot of the MS3 2.3L's change to 75w95 ford fluid which is improves shifting greatly.

I am going to try this soon so I will let you know if I glide into 2nd gear better or not. You may want to try adjusting your shifter if you haven't tried that.

Ford Fluid:
http://k-mansparts.com/items/motorcraft-filters-/fluids/Motorcraft-MTX-75-IB5-transmission-fluid-XT-M5-QS-quart-xtm5qs-detail.htm

[Chrisinski]

Some of the speeds have this problem too, I believe the first step to having your transmission oil changed to something better... not sure what the 2.5's use but a lot of the MS3 2.3L's change to 75w95 ford fluid which is improves shifting greatly.

I am going to try this soon so I will let you know if I glide into 2nd gear better or not. You may want to try adjusting your shifter if you haven't tried that.

Ford Fluid:
http://k-mansparts.com/items/motorcraft-filters-/fluids/Motorcraft-MTX-75-IB5-transmission-fluid-XT-M5-QS-quart-xtm5qs-detail.htm

Yes I have seen others change their fluid. Mazda recomended ussind a synthetic oil called "red line" which from other peoples reviews says it cleared up the grinding for a week or two but then the problem persists.

[pwdunmore]

I haven't heard anything good about redline and I know about their products. Tons of MS3 guys switch to the ford fluid after using the redline on the mazdaspeed forum.

I also believe some guys have narrowed the problem down to being worn down sychros... Not 100% sure about this though. There are even a bunch of them changing to racing synchros which are a lot higher quality pieces. So that might be a direction to take too.

[mazda72]

I haven't heard anything good about redline and I know about their products. Tons of MS3 guys switch to the ford fluid after using the redline on the mazdaspeed forum.

I also believe some guys have narrowed the problem down to being worn down sychros... Not 100% sure about this though. There are even a bunch of them changing to racing synchros which are a lot higher quality pieces. So that might be a direction to take too.

I have the same with my Skyactiv, 1-2 shift grind, this happens when I still have the clutch pedal depressed and im just shifting without releasing the clutch. It only happens when the car is cold once it warms up its ok.

There are also some CX-5 owners complaining about the same issue.

[greyseason]

I have the same with my Skyactiv, 1-2 shift grind, this happens when I still have the clutch pedal depressed and im just shifting without releasing the clutch. It only happens when the car is cold once it warms up its ok.

There are also some CX-5 owners complaining about the same issue.

I never have grinding, but it is sometimes a tiny bit harder to shift into second. My other gripe is how it feels sometimes 'soft and sloppy' when going into 3rd and 4th. I usually put it in neutral, and with the clutch in row from 3rd to 4th then go into 3rd again. Seems to fix it but dont know what causes it.

Id say its clearly a design flaw from the sky transmission, but if the 2.5's are having this problem who knows. Maybe the 2.5 and skyactiv transmissions have the same syncros which is causing the problem like pwdunmore said

[Chrisinski]

I haven't heard anything good about redline and I know about their products. Tons of MS3 guys switch to the ford fluid after using the redline on the mazdaspeed forum.

I also believe some guys have narrowed the problem down to being worn down sychros... Not 100% sure about this though. There are even a bunch of them changing to racing synchros which are a lot higher quality pieces. So that might be a direction to take too.

Yes iv herd of it being a syncro problem aswell. If i do need them change il look into the performance ones.

I just came back from the dealership and ontop of them discrediting all of the information I brought to the table the guys attitude was real prickish which made me think even further that this guy has no idea what hes talking about.
So to help with my problems i am doing what they recomend and getting a fluid change. He said after that I should probably change my clutch even tho my clutch feels pretty decent for having 123,xxx km on it. Im not racing my car or driving hard often so I dont see this being an issue.

[Janzy]

Hey guys. I have been having problems with my 2nd gen 2.0L. It likes to grind and be sticky going into second, happens a few times a week. I hope a fluid change works.

[Chrisinski]

Hey guys. I have been having problems with my 2nd gen 2.0L. It likes to grind and be sticky going into second, happens a few times a week. I hope a fluid change works.

That would be your best bet.

[JPJPJP]

Same problem with my 2nd Gen 2.0L.. It doesn't have very often, maybe 1-2/month? However it does make me squeal hearing that horrible grinding sound :(

[FoXy]

I had it before, take it back to the dealer before your warrenty is up. They fixed mine.

[Kiyomi]

i no longer have second gear. i shift from 1st to third atm. :D

[Chrisinski]

Well I am currently trying things they are asking. But Im sure I already know the issue and im sure its the syncro. If I get a couple days off here il leave my car with them for a day or two.

[Scythe]

I've the the same issue as well, it only grinds 2nd gear every once in a while though. I'm curious if a changing the fluid will work.

Whats the stock fluid in the tranny?

[Chrisinski]

I've the the same issue as well, it only grinds 2nd gear every once in a while though. I'm curious if a changing the fluid will work.

Whats the stock fluid in the tranny?

Off the top of my head I am not sure but if you take a look in your manuel you should fi d it easly. I am getting fluid change tomorrow morning. Im doubting that will fix it.

[SomeGuy]

Alternatives to taking it to Mazda if they don't fix anything for you:

Don't rush your shifts, even new the 1-2 shift in these cars isn't the smoothest/easiest.
Change transmission fluid and do the shifter adjustment.
If it's cold, double clutch.

/end thread

[Chrisinski]

Thought I would add to whats up. My car is being brought in for a day of testing on thursday. I have been told if the "testing" goes right il be getting a new transmission.

[terapr0]

no issues whatsoever with my 2011 2.5
Shifting from 1st to 2nd was a little tricky at first, but after a slight modification to my shifting style I'd say I've just about mastered it. For the first few months of ownership it was an issue, but I dont think it had anything to do with the transmission and more to do with the person driving it. 1 -> 2 certainly feels different than in most of the other cars i've driven, but it just took some getting used to.

[Chrisinski]

no issues whatsoever with my 2011 2.5
Shifting from 1st to 2nd was a little tricky at first, but after a slight modification to my shifting style I'd say I've just about mastered it. For the first few months of ownership it was an issue, but I dont think it had anything to do with the transmission and more to do with the person driving it. 1 -> 2 certainly feels different than in most of the other cars i've driven, but it just took some getting used to.

Being a hydrolic shifter it definitly becomes suited to driver. I had the thought with me being second owner that the previous owner drived like a bit of a moron. But this issue is on going with alot of 2.5s and no matter how i switch how i shift it still happens.

[Chrisinski]

Just an update here with the grinding. The dealership has my car atm and they called me to say a chunk of one of the mounts holding the transmission is missing causing the transmission to go out of line that could cause this grinding.
How the hell does this happen???

[pwdunmore]

Just an update here with the grinding. The dealership has my car atm and they called me to say a chunk of one of the mounts holding the transmission is missing causing the transmission to go out of line that could cause this grinding.
How the hell does this happen???

Noted in your other thread... OEM mounts = fail... they get worm out quickly

MS3 guys on MSF have had multiple fails from both side mounts because of how much the engine rocks in the engine bay.