I have an 05 automatic. When I am in manual mode there is a delay from the time I shift from first to second and the time that the car actually changes gears. The delay is definitely at least a full second. From second to third and third to fourth the car changes gears immediately when I shift, as it should. The shift from first to second is delayed around 75% of the time. It almost feels like the tranny is slipping slightly in that i shift, it continues to rev and then the actual changing of the gears is jerky. Should this concern me? I know that if I bring it to Mazda they will tell me there is nothing wrong with it...any thoughts?

 

shifting gears in the auto can take over a second. not sure about the jerky part.

 

Yeah its norm for A/T RX-8's to JERK like that when going from 1st to 2nd. PM me if you have more Q's UFMed2001

 

Mine does it also. I have read hear somewhere that the cars computer takes other things into account when you shift and might delay sometimes.

 

You can find more info here https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-specific-performance-mods-97/

 

The car shifts better under load. If you actually make an attempt at accelerating to the shift point, it'll shift nice and hard (in my experience). This isn't always feasible however. If you lift the throttle just a tad during the less loaded shift, it's a little smoother, though people might claim you're trying to pretend you have a manual .

 

I am in absolute assent with all the facts in your post.

 

Thanks everyone. What you said, therm8, sounds like you have been driving my car around! If I shift early, it delays but if I rev a little higher it is a lot smoother. I just wanted to be sure that there was nothing wrong with the car and it sounds like there isnt.

 

you can make the shift a bit faster by when shifting letting go of the gas while shifting.