No first gear power.
 

So, I got in my 8 this afternoon and hit a local fast food drive through which I was stuck in for about 10 minutes. As I was about to enter my housing complex, I switched to first gear to go over a speed bump and pushed on the gas, no power. I shifted to 2nd and power was fine. Prior to the next speed bump, back into first and no power. I pushed in the clutch and the car revved fine, let the clutch out in first no power.

There were no indicator lights on. I had checked the oil the day before and it was full. Current mileage is 1280. I figured I'd give it a try in the morning and see if the issue persists.

Anyone else experience or know what was happening? I've done a search on "limp-mode" and it sounds like what I was experiencing but the reasons for going into limp-mode listed in the posts don't seem applicable to my situation.

Thoughts?

When you let the clutch out in first, and it had no power, didn't the car stall?
It would be strange if it didn't.

Stupid question here: Maybe in 3rd and not 1st??? Probably not, but just wondering...

That happened to me before. I was like....what....why isn't my car moving? This is my first MT car to own though so I think I should be excused :)

Sounds like the clutch is slipping. When it happens let the clutch out slow with no gas and see how fast it dies.

I go with Texas 8...

Wouldn't be the first time 3rd or even 5th was mistakenly selected. What exactly, is the car doing when you say it has no power? Bucking?, feels under geared? Dies?

Sorry, if someone mistakes 5th for 1st, they need to drive a AT.

Thanks for the responses. I would have chalked it up to third but it happened twice on two different speed bumps. The car did not buck or stall. I let the clutch out and gave it gas and it wouldn't go above about 8 mph. It started up perfectly fine this morning and I had no issues all day with it. Who knows?

I would still bring it in under a Warranty check up so if it ever returns again, the dealer has a record of it happening once already.

I'm sorry..but this is simple mechanics..


The transmission really has no clue whats going on at the crank.

If your engine is fooked...1st..2nd...5th don't matter.

If your cluch is smoked..any torque on it is going to slip.

At "8" mpg...and no "GO".. its OBVIOUSLY..disgustingly so, that you weren't in first gear.

Plan and simple..ain't no crop circle here. 2nd went fine and "fast"..you simply havn't figured out whree 3rd versus 1st is.. I drove like that when I was 16 too..its no big deal..just get used to driving a manual tranny.

Bottom line: USER ERROR.

i have to agree with above ^^^^^^

It could be traction control engaging.

John

Did I mention I was drunk? Just kidding of course although I was quite tired. I'm sure you're correct. It most likely was 3rd gear.

Even if traction control was engaging you could still go above 8 mph.

When I took the first test drive I had this same problem. I was in 3rd gear.

3rd can easily be mistaken for 1st when you are brand new to a 6 speed manual.

I think it's a common mistake when you're in a hurry doing something the first time. I ran a 14.69s on a 1/8 mile track, go figure; by the time I notice I was in third, there's no point in correction so I end up cruising down the track like a sloth :o

FYI, Its very easy to accidentally downshift into 3rd instead of 1st in this car. I've done it once or twice myself after coming from another manual car that had the gears "spaced out" more. I actually (much) prefer the RX-8's setup, but it does take some getting used to after driving another car so long.

Best thing to do when dowshifting to 1st is to move the stick ALL the way left first (in neutral) and ride the side edge into first. Do it pronounced at first, then as you drive it more it will become natural to hit first without any particular thought/process.