jfw432

I've been driving it lately and it seems as if the shifts are a little rougher than normal. Granted, I haven't owned the car that long so I'm not exactly sure what normal is for this car. But, about half the time the shifts are smooth as silk and other times it feels like a split second gear grind (kind of like it caught the corner before engaging). I know I'm pushing the clutch in enough but it feels like I'm not sometimes. It'll do it when I'm stopped and moving, although it doesn't do it quite as much if I shift above 3500 rpms.
If this is normal that's fine, but I was under the impression that these cars were smooth as silk through the shifts since they have more synchos than most cars. I do have a warranty with the dealer for another 3 weeks but it's a good 2 hours or more away so I figured I'd ask you guys first.

radcliffe1

Never been smooth for me. Always is better when warmed up.
Best sticks I ever had were in various econoboxs rented in Europe. Go figure?

MattG

I never shift below 3500 anyway. Actually I aim to always be above 3000 rpms when driving.

When cold the 1st to 2nd shift can grind occasionally. Try double clutching or just shifting slow at lower rpms for this shift. When the car comes up to temp it should be fine.

I thought the recommended shift point in the book works out to be approx 4000-4500 rpm?

guardiase

From my '02 Owners Manual (assuming OEM wheels and tires):
1st - 2nd: 15mph (24km/h) roughly 3200rpm
2nd - 3rd: 25mph (40km/h) roughly 3400rpm
3rd - 4th: 40mph (64km/h) roughly 3950rpm
4th - 5th: 47mph (75km/h) roughly 3650rpm
5th - 6th: 52mph (83km/h) roughly 3350rpm

jfw432

Thanks guys. That's kind of what I was hoping to hear. This way I don't have to take it into the shop.

GranPrix

I think it's called "winter". Same here and right when it started to get cold it's gotten rougher.

stylinhonda

Same here. I just got my S about a month or so ago. It was warm out when I got the car and I was like ah nice 6 speed. Now when I come out in the morning and it's 30 deg out, the car is a bit rough until it wamrs up. I just don't get why once it is warmed up (just like you said) it is smooth as glass sometimes and other times it's like it's cold again, but the next shift will be smooth again. Weird. Changed out all my fluids as well.

90crvtec

Good description of the symptoms. When was the last time you changed your transmission fluid? If that hasn't been done in a while I would suggest doing a change with some of the new formulation Honda MTF. I noticed the difference on cold mornings. Take this morning for instance, it was 25F outside. I started the car cold and drove for about 15 minutes, during the first 5 the transmission was a little crunchy but still very driveable. This compared to the downright stiff feeling that I would get using the old formula Honda MTF.
When cold I slow my shifts, shift at normal RPMs, and try not to shift into 5th until the car feels nice and warmed up (obviously this is impossible if you have to drive on the highway). If I require a shift to 5th or 6th I always double clutch it when cold, especially 6th as we're dealing with the "weakest" synchronizer in the s2000 transmission at that point.