Does anyone else have a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd? I have to go rather slowly out of 1st into second if i don't want to stall, i mean it could be my timing on gas/clutch that could be off but i've been trying for a couple months now.

Any hints?

 

To be honest I have the same problem. I tried double shifting and it only made things a little better. I assume its the Drive by wire system in the Xfire. I hear a sprint booster will help and I have ordered one. Will someone with more experience on this please let us know.

 

This is a pretty chronic problem with the 6 speed. It took me months to get used to it, and I still crunch it once in a while. This was discussed a while ago on the forum and the consensus is that it's pretty normal and tends to get a little better over time. Not sure if that means it's the driver or the transmission that's improving, though.
I don't think the 'drive-by-wire' has anything to do with it.

 

Nitro4, Alot of people say that's a problem only the 04's experience. I have to admit, I drove an 05' a couple of months ago, and it did shift smoother than my 04' does.
I've got 20k on mine, and I think it shifts better now than it did when it was new, and it always seems to shift better after it warms up.
As you pointed out, it's only the 1-2 shift that seems to have any "issues".
Mine is just a little "notchy", but I'm use to the way my Hondas shift, and of course there's no comparison.

 

K here's another question, how about shifting into first? Like when you first take off... my friend stepped in my car and got it goin into 1st almost immediately, with me it's a lot slower.

Any hints?

Thanks guys!

 

Try putting it into 2nd gear, then slide it into 1st. That should make it easier.

 

interesting, i'll have to give that a shot.

 

I just recently had the 6 speed tranny TSB done, because of popping out of gear. After receiving the car, I've found it difficult to shift into second gear also... This was never a problem until the dealer did the synchro update. Then I noticed on the bill of parts for the 1st gear synchro update that they also ordered a 2nd gear synchro. So I'll see how long this tranny lasts after they fiddled with new 1st and 2nd synchros.

 

The 1-2 shift is definitely not the most smooth for this transmission. Here's some tips I have had success with:

1) Let off the gas completely before depressing the clutch. The clutch is linked to the ECU and will cut power when you depress the clutch.

2) 2nd needs a bit more gas per clutch than the other gears, I usually give 2nd quite a bit more gas to smoothly transition.

3) Don't be afraid of reverse. Yank that thing straight down into 2nd. I am really deliberate with the 1-2 shift as opposed to the 3-4 shift which is like butter in my car.

4) For fun, turn off the T/C and redline 1st and drop the clutch into 2nd. I can usually chirp the tires pretty good into 2nd, and I think this is the fastest way to accelerate because the T/C will jump in otherwise.

5) If all else fails, start in 2nd. Its not too bad every now and then and is much smoother than using 1st if you have other people in the car.

 

nope no problem ... drove it fine since day one just needed a few days to get comfy with how close the gates are to each other so i could shift it fast through a 1/4 run ...

just keep practicing and trying to get better ...

 

Since the ratios on the six speed are so close together will it hurt the clutch on 2nd gear starts?

 

It will only create a little more wear, but every now and then its okay. Just don't drag the clutch for too long, once the car is rolling, let it out.

 

When I'm just starting gently the 1st/2nd shift is "notchy". When I wind it up it seems to shift better.

It might be that the engine idles too fast to get an rpm match when going into 2nd gear.