Shifting 6MT from 1st to 2nd under hard acceleration - Anyone else have trouble?

[smithf80]

You might be able to attribute this to my 6MT newb-ness, as this is my first manual car, but even after 2 months of ownership I cannot consistently shift from 1st to 2nd under hard acceleration smoothly. Usually there is a small buck that happens during the shift that does NOT seem to unsettle the car, but its present nonetheless. I'm not sure if this is normal from just the fact that the throttle is being completely removed and then reapplied very fast or what, but I'm curious to know if other people have this issue or if its just my technique.

I know that this isn't that important of a skill, but I do have a few highway entrances by me that lack a ramp, its more of an abrupt entrance that require entering quickly from a standstill. For the record, after trying this a few times today I didn't smell any weird potential clutch burning smells when I got home, so I don't think any damage is being done there.

More importantly, I like to perfect things, and this is just another quest for perfection.

Other than this, I have no problems driving manual on this car.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

1-2 shift usually requires a bit of finesse and feathering of the clutch to be smooth.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by pheerix

1-2 shift usually requires a bit of finesse and feathering of the clutch to be smooth.

I figured as much, just not sure how to have finesse and feathering you're trying to also do it quickly at the same time, ya know?

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Driving stick you will invariably be slower off the line than your average V6 powered Camry/Accord unless you are really concentrating and working hard lol

[trey100]

Since 2nd gear's ratio is roughly 50% of first, your rpm in 2nd gear at the same speed will be 1/2 the rpm you were in 1st gear. So shifting from 2,000 rpm means the engine only has to drop 1,000 rpm which can happen quickly and in line with a quicker shift speed. If you are shifting into 2nd from 5,000 rpm, then the engine has to drop 2,500 rpm which will take longer. Releasing the clutch before it gets down those 2,500 rpm will give you a less smooth shift.

[shay2nak]

It could also be from where the clutch engagement is in relation to the clutch pedal position. The manuals that I've owned disengage the clutch like half way down the pedal travel. When you push the pedal all the way down during WOT shifts the timing may get thrown off because of the smaller time frame compared to slower shifts. When I push the pedal just far enough and do quick shifts, it's surprisingly smooth...seamless.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by trey100

Since 2nd gear's ratio is roughly 50% of first, your rpm in 2nd gear at the same speed will be 1/2 the rpm you were in 1st gear. So shifting from 2,000 rpm means the engine only has to drop 1,000 rpm which can happen quickly and in line with a quicker shift speed. If you are shifting into 2nd from 5,000 rpm, then the engine has to drop 2,500 rpm which will take longer. Releasing the clutch before it gets down those 2,500 rpm will give you a less smooth shift.

Interesting, so in some cases like this it actually makes sense to shift a little slower, not as fast then it seems... Correct?

Originally Posted by shay2nak

It could also be from where the clutch engagement is in relation to the clutch pedal position. The manuals that I've owned disengage the clutch like half way down the pedal travel. When you push the pedal all the way down during WOT shifts the timing may get thrown off because of the smaller time frame compared to slower shifts. When I push the pedal just far enough and do quick shifts, it's surprisingly smooth...seamless.

Good point, although I don't push the clutch all the way in when I shift anyway, it would be a waste. I try to just push it a little past the engagement point, theres usually still an inch of travel left in the pedal for where I push it to.

[boss2k]

Yes i still have the same issue and that is my only complaint with the MT, i feel the reason is due to the clutch pedal being long ( i mean the actual length) and also moving from sports to sports plus requires some adjustment everytime due to rev matching and i wish all the modes were consistent with no rev matching.

Overall the clutch is great and smooth but 1-2 under high acceleration is very tough to be smooth

[trey100]

Originally Posted by smithf80

Interesting, so in some cases like this it actually makes sense to shift a little slower, not as fast then it seems... Correct?

Good point, although I don't push the clutch all the way in when I shift anyway, it would be a waste. I try to just push it a little past the engagement point, theres usually still an inch of travel left in the pedal for where I push it to.

Test it out. Watch the rpm drop and don't release the clutch until the needle momentarily pauses at the 2nd gear rpm (ours cars do that - kind of rev match on upshifts). Shifting slower will smooth it out as will shifting at lower rpm while driving slow.

Edit: you can't be in Sport+ if you want to test the wait for rpm to drop thing above since rev match is deactivated.

[bzcat]

If this is your first manual then I suspect you are having some trouble with timing of releasing your clutch. And a some have suggested, try shifting "slower" and wait for the rev match. Or you need to figure out how to slip the clutch a bit (feather it and don't dump it on a 1-2 up shift).

[F80Moe]

Just be extra careful when releasing the clutch.

I tend to short shift 2nd even when on a hurry at around 2500rpm. Anything above that and it gets harsh very quick.

[Stealthm4bcm]

Definitely wouldn't recommend driving an M4 for your first MT... lol... you need to find the right balance between the clutch and acceleration. Baby the clutch.

[Stealthm4bcm]

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[Aaaaaaaaa]

Sorry to revive this thread now that I actually have the car. When accelerating in Sport mode somewhat quickly in 1st gear when I depress the clutch pedal at 4K rpm or above I get a pretty big jerk. Doesn't happen in Efficient mode. Is it just from the sudden cut off in power in 1st gear? Should I just be shifting at lower rpm in 1st gear even when I want to get moving quickly?

[S.Carter]

My thought is that the car isnt getting any fuel when you let the clutch out which means its slowing the car until you actually give it gas. Its a bit hard to tell since we cant see you driving etc.

[frankiebones]

I have an issue (that is not exactly well documented but I have spoken to several people who had the same issue) going 1 to 2.

When I launch hard and shift near or at the redline, it grinds into 2nd gear very badly. Its a synchros issue that I tried to have address by the dealership before I tuned (hex stage 1).

However, they could not duplicate the issue and neither could I when they were in the car. It is sporadic but it causes me to shift at 5k even when trying for my best 0-60.

[boss2k]

Its very difficult to shift smoothly in this car from 1--2 under spirited driving specially in sports plus mode mainly because of the clutch pedal length unless u can lower the engagement point by using clutch stop. Never had this issue with my other cars and driving manuals for last 30 yrs. Otherwise clutch is very nice and vastly improved from older BMW's

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Its very difficult to shift smoothly in this car from 1--2 under spirited driving specially in sports plus mode mainly because of the clutch pedal length unless u can lower the engagement point by using clutch stop. Never had this issue with my other cars and driving manuals for last 30 yrs. Otherwise clutch is very nice and vastly improved from older BMW's

So generally do you just shift earlier like 2-3k rpm even when trying to accelerate quicker than casual daily driving?

[bmrwrld]

The bucking is annoying. That is a good word for this issue "BUCKING"

[Aaaaaaaaa]

It's bucking annoying

[aerostar]

When the car's cold I get like a big "BOOM" coming out when the clutch disengages sometimes.

Probably not a good thing. LOL

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by aerostar

When the car's cold I get like a big "BOOM" coming out when the clutch disengages sometimes.

Probably not a good thing. LOL

I get an audible thud when the car starts to move in 1st or reverse when cold.