How to drive a manual Z smoothly?

drisko · 02-26-2010, 10:55 PM

One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure.

Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

AutoX Z · 02-27-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drisko

One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure.

Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

Please don't do this. Even putting slight pressure on the knob like that while in gear can cause excessive wear in the synchros. Just take your time when shifting with cold trans fluid and give the car time to make the shift.

normal · 02-28-2010, 09:36 AM

I think he means after the car is in neutral, in order to go into the next gear, apply the pressure, not when the car is already in gear. I have found the same thing, especially the first couple of 1-2 shifts. Just pushing toward the 2nd gear gate you can feel the moment when everything matches up right and it slots into gear, without any crunch/grind that you can get from trying to force it in.

blackflag · 02-28-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drisko

One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure.

Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

The only problem with doing that is that you'll wear out the synchronizers quicker.

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02-26-2010, 10:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
drisko Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Age: 45 Posts: 160 Drives: 09 370Z PW Tour S 6M Rep Power: 18	One thing that helped me get smoother shifts is putting slight "pressure" on the shift knob in the direction you want to shift. The transmission will not let you shift until the clutch disengages. Do not use force, just light pressure. Doing this will ensure that the shift lever starts moving into the next gear as soon as it is mechanically possible. It seems to make less noise when I do it this way, not sure why (maybe because the revs drop cleanly as the next gear engages).

02-28-2010, 09:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
normal Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UT Posts: 19 Drives: 14 Hyundai Santa Fe Rep Power: 17	I think he means after the car is in neutral, in order to go into the next gear, apply the pressure, not when the car is already in gear. I have found the same thing, especially the first couple of 1-2 shifts. Just pushing toward the 2nd gear gate you can feel the moment when everything matches up right and it slots into gear, without any crunch/grind that you can get from trying to force it in.