jd2131

On my MY05 with 2600 miles, the transmission grinds on the first 1-2 shift when I start driving. Each shift after that gets smoother, but the 2nd gear is my worst gear. A 'car guy' buddy of mine told me that transmissions may grind when new (mine just started maybe 300 miles ago) and that it will go away after the transmission breaks in. The grind seems to be getting worse, not better to me. Is my buddy right, or should I take it in to the dealer?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. I got the car with 50 miles on it (during the summer). Second gear was a hair notcher than the rest, but no grind. Second gear has only gotten worse as time has progressed / weather gotten colder. It had been scratched during transport so the car was sent out to get the front bumper repainted. Could someone who drove the car for the first 50 miles have tried some "power shifting" and chewed up the synchro? Although I take care of my car I am afraid since I am a 22yo guy they will cry abuse. If if bring it in, how should I approach that?

UPDATE: Thanks for the suggestions, I took it into the dealer, I'll see what they have to say. To clarify, the grind in my transmission is audible.

Billman250

Take it back, before it's to late. There's no car that grinds, then breaks in. It will only get worse.

There's a TSB that applies to most of the S2000s, not sure if yours falls under it.

cyber_x

I'd say to take it back and see if the dealer can reproduce it. If he isn't able to, then it might be something you can mitigate with a change of shifting style/timing. My '02 has a tendency to grind on the 1-->2 shift when cold also, but I was able to minimize (but not eliminate) its occurence by changing my timing (and also transmission fluid, but that's another story).

Honda considers this sort of cold grinding normal for S2000s, so if the dealer can't find anything wrong, then it may just be something you have to live with. I didn't like it on mine either but have accepted it as a part of life with this car.

Trailblazer

Hi,

I have a 05 with 1830 miles. Bought new. When cold the 1st to 2nd shift is very notchy. I shift slower into second until the tranny is nice and warm, which I have found takes a while longer than just warming the engine. This has solved the cold shift problem for me. When hot 2nd likes to be done with some revs to be as smooth as the top four gears. Below 3500 the 1st to 2nd can still be a little notchy but no where near the way it is when cold. Above 3500 all is smooth. My Honda dealer told me the cold shift is normal for this tranny. The shift is never a "grind" though. A grind to me is one that is "audible". Hope this helps.

Smoothieboy

Try changing your shifting style until the tranny warms up. When I first start out, I shift from first to second at low rpm, so my shift is occurring at no higher speed than 10 to 15 mph. I also shift from first to second more slowly, so that I pause very slightly when the stick is in the neutral part of the gate. But don't just drag the stick slowly during the entire shift. Do it with purpose so it's like a "ker-chunk." Most of the time when I do this, it justs meshes right into second. When the tranny is warm, the stiffness goes away.

This problem may seem worse to you since you're comparing colder weather driving to warmer weather when you bought the car.