View Full Version : problems getting in to second gear


urban_assault_XB
04-01-2004, 12:26 PM
I'm going to the track sat and I know nothings wrong with my trans but is it just me but is hard to get into 2nd gear its like the shift has a know that you have to pass before you can get in to 2nd this causes me to miss 2nd some times when shifting fast. Does the short throw fix this problem also I ran 17.53 last time with out my exaust does any one think that my cat back will make a diffrence thanks.

Tamago
04-01-2004, 01:26 PM
you're missing second cuz you're shifting too fast.. slow down, take your time.. it's an 18 second car man, .01 seconds slower on a shift won't really make you the laughing stock of the track.

no, the exhaust won't help.. you may trap a higher speed, butyour time will be similar.

jdaniels
04-01-2004, 03:33 PM
Well, you could try driving better... thats dirt slow for an xB, it should be a full second faster. My car does 0-60 8.6s 1/4 mi in 16.4's stock.

Munch
04-01-2004, 03:34 PM
Well, you could try driving better... thats dirt slow for an xB, it should be a full second faster. My car does 0-60 8.6s 1/4 mi in 16.4's stock.
If he's missing 2nd gear then I can see why his times are slow.

tbblizzard
04-01-2004, 03:42 PM
what's both your guys' speed when you hit 1/4 mile mark?

04-01-2004, 05:21 PM
welcome to the lagging second gear club. My does the same thing, I have to slam it sometimes when I am racing someone. Its the tranny design I think, its always been that way since I got the dam thing. I thought it would loosen up after a few thousand miles, but no 2nd gear is a pain.

And its not the matter of not knowing how to drive, it can be a tranny problem too. remember that we are the first generation here in the US and they might have changed a few things when it was tranferred from the JDM market.

TheScionicMan
04-01-2004, 06:36 PM
Mine always shifts into 2nd just fine... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

04-01-2004, 08:57 PM
Mine always shifts into 2nd just fine... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


YOU SUCK MARK, I'm gonna kick you in sac when I see you!! :lol:

TheScionicMan
04-01-2004, 09:52 PM
Mine always shifts into 2nd just fine... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


YOU SUCK MARK, I'm gonna kick you in sac when I see you!! :lol:

As long as you don't kick me in THE sac...hehehe :lol:

Just defending my homeboy, the Automatic! It gets less respect than an xA...

silkywilson
04-01-2004, 10:47 PM
I cant rip it into 2nd gear either.,.. it gets jumbled up between them if Im trying to be fast on the 1,2 shift.. but only 1,2 none of the others...

Rayman
04-01-2004, 11:00 PM
Yeah same problem here. If I try to go fast from 1 to 2 it's difficult to shift. If you take it easy though it does shift smoother but not as fun.

scionxb04
04-01-2004, 11:25 PM
i only have problems with 2nd to 3rd....i can bark the hell out of 2nd on 18's....shoulda seen stock tires....didnt get traction.....
try slowing down your foot.....you might be letting the clutch out to soon

XBman
04-02-2004, 03:25 AM
Mine always shifts into 2nd just fine... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


YOU SUCK MARK, I'm gonna kick you in sac when I see you!! :lol:

a hahahah

urban_assault_XB
04-02-2004, 06:43 AM
I'm clutching just fine. It's the 1 to 2 shift the rest are fine I can doublre clitch and it 'll run but I now I could be faster and about my time car and driver tested an auto and it ran like 18.3 or something but it was in the 18's. does any one know if the TRD short shifter fixes this prob I figure its either a crappy shifter linkage design or the plastic style shifter or lastly the trans if any one know about the short shifter holla 8)

kalieaire
05-05-2004, 06:04 AM
anyone try a new transmission oil?

ahurdl01
05-05-2004, 02:07 PM
my tranny is just sloppy. I have a lot of play when it is in gear. I do get teh feeling that gears 2-5 are spacing evenly, but it seems like 1 and 2 are a little off, probably to give more torque in first , cuase the car has no balls.

Sciomodr
05-05-2004, 03:31 PM
anyone try a new transmission oil?

I was going to suggest the same thing. My experience with DSMs in the past says to at least give it a try, Redline and BG both made an oil that made the horrible-shifting dsms shift poorly, but at least it was an improvement :D

Mike

Tamago
05-05-2004, 05:13 PM
i'm currently running mobil1 synthetic trans oil.. much smoother shifts.

that first to second shift will always be difficult. remember, you've gotta get those synchromeshes up to speed.. the 1-2 shift is the most difficult on the transmission because it generally has the largest gap in ratios.

shortshifter will not help.. it might actually harm more than help.

that being said.. i couldn't live without my shortened TRD shifter :D

05-06-2004, 03:30 AM
i'm currently running mobil1 synthetic trans oil.. much smoother shifts.

that first to second shift will always be difficult. remember, you've gotta get those synchromeshes up to speed.. the 1-2 shift is the most difficult on the transmission because it generally has the largest gap in ratios.

shortshifter will not help.. it might actually harm more than help.

that being said.. i couldn't live without my shortened TRD shifter :D

Did changing the transfluid really work? How many quarts did you use?

Tamago
05-06-2004, 12:28 PM
well, i have a corolla, different transmission, so i used 1 qt. look in your owners manual. the specs are in there.

Gwardo
05-06-2004, 12:44 PM
Hey guys, I also had this problem BUT! I found a lil trick that kinda works. Before you guys do your 1/4 mile or race another car try this... before take off run the shifter through all the gears, except reverse. This solved the problem for me, best of luck to you guys.

Sciomodr
05-06-2004, 03:07 PM
Capacity of the manual transmission in both the xA and B is 2.0 quarts/1.9L

I checked some specifics for oils that have worked on other transmissions that aren't the most shift-friendly. It seems that you really have to try one and if it doesn't work better, another may. Exact same transmissions yet different fluid preferences (don't ask me).

75W-90 is recommended. From past experience you may get a better shift feel from a slightly lighter weight during the winter months (assuming you enjoy changing fluids). You have two plugs to remove, the drain one is on the bottom of the transmission case and is I believe a 24mm; the fill plug is about midway up on the side of the transmission case and is 17mm typically.

Drain the oil on a level surface after driving the vehicle a few miles to warm up the fluid (its thicker than engine oil so the heat helps you drain it. Check to be sure the transmission isn't too hot for you, then remove the bottom plug and let it drain. Do whatever your conscience tells you to do with the old oil, or give it to your dad and let him deal with it.

Fill the case up using the side plug (be sure to have reinstalled the drain plug and be really careful about not cross-threading the plug) and when you get near to the 2 quart level, slowly add more until the fluid just starts leaking out, it may take more or less than the 2 qts, thats why you need to do this on a level surface so the overflow will tell you when there is enough in there. Replace the fill plug and enjoy your new shifting ride.


Fluids that people have recommended in the past car groups in no particular order:

BG Syncroshift - No experience with this but it has been often recommended

Redline Redline Synthetic Transmission Oil MT-90 or MTL (I have personally used this in my own DSM transmission and it helped) - People really seem to like this one.

Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lubricant LS 75W-90 (I have personally used this in my own DSM transmission when I was unable to locate the redline, seems ok)

Royal Purple Synchromax Manual Transmission Fluid - no experience with it

Cobra Valley Chemicals Ultrashift - no experience with it

While we are doing this, post feedback about your own choice and what you thought about the change, so that others can benefit from testing. I'll have a manual transmission one here at the store before too long, and will try some out myself, but it will be a month maybe more.

Mike

05-06-2004, 03:26 PM
I think I am going to use the mobil 1Synthetic Gear Lubricant LS 75W-90. And wow thanks for the description of drainage procedure. :D

Distracted_Thinker
05-06-2004, 10:52 PM
I have some what the same problem but its getting into third gear. It doesnt grind or anyting it just wont get through or in. :?:

kalieaire
05-07-2004, 06:54 AM
if 75w-90 is recommended, use redline's shockproof oils, choose from light - heavy, all 3 work superbly when 75w-90 is required. well, that's if you can still find it.

MTL and MT-90 = buyer beware.

Sciomodr
05-07-2004, 02:58 PM
MTL and MT-90 = buyer beware.

Why? If you're referring to corrosion of certain metals, it ain't in a toyota transmission, actually very few of any manufacturer made since 1990.

Mike

kalieaire
05-10-2004, 02:58 PM
MTL and MT-90 = buyer beware.

Why? If you're referring to corrosion of certain metals, it ain't in a toyota transmission, actually very few of any manufacturer made since 1990.

Mike

people grind a lot using that in different trannies. a lot of honda trannies like it particularly, but i know a lot of other cars that particularly dislike mtl or mt90

Sciomodr
05-10-2004, 03:37 PM
Thats why I said to try different ones if its not helping. Every transmission, even ones on the same assembly line made on the same day will have variances after driving, due to different drivers putting different strains on them. One mans trash is another mans treasure. I wouldn't tell people to not try an oil without seeing for themselves first.

Mike

joe52985
05-22-2004, 08:51 AM
I am having a _____ of a time getting into second gear. I thought it started go away around 3500 miles but it seems to be back again with a vengence! even shifting at around 4k, shifting moderatly fast it doesnt want to go in and then sometimes it grinds.

its not my footwork either because even doing to slow at a higher rpm results in the same thing. the shifter just hits a wall before second then i have to shove it in.

Im afraid they are gonna blame me for this if i ever have any warrenty issues with the tranny. I even went back to tarbox toyota to talk to a tech about it and got the whole "relax its a new car, itll work itself out":roll: should there be some kind of TSB on this or is there really nothing we can do besides fluids

WagenMaster
05-22-2004, 07:24 PM
I'm getting really tired of it too. Like previously posted, it's like there's a "wall" between 1st and 2nd, and the more RPMs you're at the bigger the wall gets.

When trying to leave fast from a stop light, going into 2nd always causes a delay 'cause I have to shove the damn shifter into gear. It doesn't grind at all, it's just difficult to get it into 2nd gear.

And apparently the TRD Short Shifter doesn't help either......great... :roll: :evil:

I really hope this eventually goes away, but I'm still glad I ordered a manual, my other car is an automatic.

MJ
05-22-2004, 07:53 PM
I am surprised nobody mentioned Amsoil when talking about Synthetic Fluids....they have been around the longest and is the only thing I have ran in all my vehicles since I have been able to drive.

Best of luck to you guys with shifting problems.... :(

djct_watt
02-06-2006, 05:24 AM
So those of those who have done the fluid change, how much has shifting improved?

bcp_tc
02-18-2006, 04:18 AM
I have an 06 tc and I have the same problem with the 1-2 upshift grinding, clunky, sticky and missed shifts.

I've had the car for about 6 months and 13,000 miles already. I've changed between factory, Redline MTL and currently SWEPCO 203 90wt.

All have the same result. NO difference. I did notice that it really only happens when the car is cold. Idling to warm doesn't really help as the trans isn't getting warm other than radiant heat from the motor. After driving on the freeway to work it shifts just fine.

And I have NEVER raced this car, although I had planned on it, have tons of parts that I bought for it, but now I'm unsure wether I should sell the parts and get something else, or just slap them on and if it blows up, it blows up.

How much can a used trans cost anyway?

but hopefully someone has found a miracle oil or has dealt with scion about the problem and has found a fix.

hayalex6
02-18-2006, 04:26 AM
Hmm, maybe try and convice your dealership that your tranny should be replaced under warantee :)