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skipping gears when shifting in forward ok?

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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
sable's Avatar
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From: Loganville, GA
skipping gears when shifting in forward ok?

first 6-speed -- have a question.

obviously, when down-shifting I would think there is no problem with going into whatever gear is appropriate for the speed traveling....however, when up-shifting, does it cause problems if you were to shift say from 4th - 6th (skipping 5th) -- is this harmful?

opinions please....thanks
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 09:49 AM
  #2  
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No issues - 1 to 3 to 5 is pretty common for me IF i am trying to keep the gas from spilling out the exhaust pipe...

But that is not too much fun
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 09:51 AM
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From: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
I heard rumors that the burned out synchros/5th gear issue in FD's were due to skipping gears and starting the car in 2nd as opposed to first.

I personally don't know if this is true or completely false.
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
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I can't believe that the 5th gear synchros would have anything to do with starting in 2nd gear.. unless that's just one really strange *** transmission design..
But starting out in 2nd is a bad idea anyway..

Skip shifting while on the move is OK, normal rules about not bogging the engine apply. There's just no pressing need to use all 6 gears going from stoplight to stoplight.
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 02:01 PM
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I don't think your transmission knows which gear you "came from". It just has to mediate the rpms of the driveshaft with engine rpm when the gears come together. Having the engine running in the approximate rpm range that you'll be in after the shift is what helps the tranny. If you're up-shifting skipping multiple gears you might wait just a bit longer before the shift (compared to single-shift), to allow rpms to drop into the correct range.
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 06:05 PM
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Many times I'll run it up in the first three gears to have some fun then just shift to 6th since I'm well over the speed limit anyway and only going to work - man I love this car!!
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 07:27 PM
  #7  
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My wind it out runs usually go like this:

1st Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
2nd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
5th Gear (That was quick!)
6th Gear
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Old Apr 2, 2004 | 11:55 PM
  #8  
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I do 1,2,5 a lot myself, but I hardly ever ring.

Then again, I just hit 600 miles like 10 minutes ago! WOOT! RING RING RING!
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 12:17 AM
  #9  
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Skipping gears is not a problem. Probably even extend the life of the tranny and clutch if you don't bog and match the revs well.

The point of a close ratio 6 speed is to provide the right gear for kind of driving you're doing while keeping the engine in its power and rev band. If you got up to the speed limit in 2nd or 3rd, and you don't need to accelerate anymore, just go to the gear that's right for your speed.
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 01:15 AM
  #10  
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From: Lake in the Hills, IL (NW Chicago Burbs)
I often go from 3rd to 6th and vice versa when travelling at low highway speeds (rural roads) when passing is involved. No harm done in doing so.
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 02:40 AM
  #11  
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I do 2nd to 4th quite a bit, and 4th to 6th

I would never start off in 2nd though.. too hard on the clutch.

It's a good idea to make sure your revs are matched so the synchros don't have to do as much work...
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Old Apr 4, 2004 | 06:16 PM
  #12  
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Quit short shifting, and let it rev, it's much more fun! I used to start in 2nd in my old eclipse with a 20g turbo to avoid the lag, but with this car reving it to redline in first is a blast.
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Old Apr 4, 2004 | 10:30 PM
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I do 1, 2, 3, 6 usually.

BTW, why would anyone ever start the car at 2nd gear? I don't get it.
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Old Apr 8, 2004 | 05:42 PM
  #14  
RX4+30Years=RX8's Avatar
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From: Cypress, Texas, USA, North America, Earth
Originally posted by Pavehawk
My wind it out runs usually go like this:

1st Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
2nd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
5th Gear (That was quick!)
6th Gear
I like my wind out better;

1st Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
2nd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
3rd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
5th Gear (Check Radar and rear view mirrors, WOT, take exit, downshift and brake, hit garage door remote as I make the corner, pull in and close garage door)

Knock at door, "No sir officer, I don't know anyone with a car like you described. Me... I was just eating someone's lunch."

Zoom Zoom

:D :D
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Old Apr 8, 2004 | 06:08 PM
  #15  
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From: San Jose, California
Originally posted by RX4+30Years=RX8
I like my wind out better;

1st Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
2nd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
3rd Gear (Chirp, WOT, BEEP)
5th Gear (Check Radar and rear view mirrors, WOT, take exit, downshift and brake, hit garage door remote as I make the corner, pull in and close garage door)

Knock at door, "No sir officer, I don't know anyone with a car like you described. Me... I was just eating someone's lunch."

Zoom Zoom

:D :D
Sounds like this recently happened :D
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Old Apr 8, 2004 | 08:32 PM
  #16  
RX4+30Years=RX8's Avatar
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From: Cypress, Texas, USA, North America, Earth
Originally posted by Xyntax
Sounds like this recently happened :D
Not really. I was being facitious when I got to 5th gear and drawing on memories from the other side of the fence. What actually happened when I knocked on the door was that the guy came to the door in his pajamas pretending like he had been asleep. The garage door was open and there was smoke and steam coming from under the hood of his Fiat. At the station he blew a 0.35.
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Old Apr 8, 2004 | 08:46 PM
  #17  
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From: Greater Vancouver Area, BC
Originally posted by Xyntax
why would anyone ever start the car at 2nd gear?
if you're particular about trying to save gas, and in a cirucumstance (like pointing down hill, or in stop and go with a really torquey engine) which would be a good time to use it, plenty of drivers start their cars in 2nd.
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Old Apr 8, 2004 | 08:49 PM
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I see. I've started (from a stop) on second gear and it didn't feel right for me. It was an accident though. I forgot to move to 1st when I was at a stop sign.
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