OK, from day 1 my tranny never liked shifting from 1st to 2nd under hard acceleration. Basically, when I'm doing some spirited driving I have to yank on the stick as hard as I can some times to get it into 2nd.


Well anyway, with it being a whopping 4°F out the harshness of the tranny is a bit more pronounced even at normal shifting. It seems I pull back, the stick moves a little, then hits something that causes it to hang up sharply (feels metal-metal almost like the gear isn't meshing), then breaks loose and clicks into gear.

I'm wondering if its a bad synchro???

Any other thoughts? I'll probably have the dealer look at it on the next oil change.

 

If you "double clutch" ie shift to neutral and let clutch out, then depress clutch again and shift into second and the problem goes away, then it is quite possibly a weak synchro on 2nd gear. Does it also do it when well warmed up? If not, try letting the car idle in neutral with clutch out for a minute or so before driving off when it's real cold. If car is relatively low miles, it may not be completely broken in yet. It is not uncommon for new transmissions to be stiff until worn, and cold weather makes it worse.

 

Yeap, I also find my 8 is hard to shift into 2nd when very cold. I find it helps a bit if I shift between gears a few time at idle to lub the gears before driving.

 

sounds logical enough... i'll try it

 

Although it hasn't gotten colder than 19 deg. F here in Georgia, I find that the RX-8 tranny shifts better than any car I have ever driven! Part of the reason is the triple-cone synchros supplied for 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears.

Never jam the gear lever, your synchro life will be shortened! Instead, double-clutch the first time or two you shift to second until the car warms up. If you stiil have problems after it's warm, there may be a problem with your specific vehicle. I was taught years ago by a Race driving instructor to shift your trans as if you are holding a raw egg in your hand - this ensures that the synchros live a long life!