Aaron C UK

When Cold?

Do people actually drive the S2K without ensuring the engine is fully warm? I usually allow mine to warm fully (3 bars on the temp gauge) before even moving it and then I take it easy for the first couple of miles or so.

I would describe the gearbox as, decisive, rather than notchy.... you definately know when you are in gear.

GSi

definately worse in winter. I think it's mainly down to the fluids in the gearbox and not the clutch. When mine went if for the clutch recall- just the noise issue, no other probs - they drained the fluid and replaced it and the gearbox was MUCH MUCH slicker afterwards, also the clutch quieter.

Prior to the clutch replacement, I had noticed during last winter it seemed bad, but as soon as we got some hotter weather it got better.

Neil.H

I drive the car immediately but wait until I've had 3 bars for a few miles before VTECing. I've heard that leaving the car idling to warm up isn't good for the engine, better to let it warm up by driving it.

Here's some discussion. General conclusion - letting the car idle is BAD.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108818

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=185477

dws2000

I read the other related threads and noone could provide a decent reason WHY it is bad for the engine to idle for 3-5 mins other than fuel consumption.
Anyone know the answer or is it ok to idle?

lower

warming an engine is balancing the increased time it takes for the engine to warm up when it is only ideling against the increased wear that occurs when the engine is driven when cold. stands to reason that the manufacturers advice which is to warm up the engine by driving will be the best method

alanjtaylor

thinking about it the gearbox has got worse since colder and i dont think the synchromesh is the answer since a reverse gear is as difficult to get, when its warm it can occasionally be troublesome but lots better, getting the fluid levels checked tomorrow

Mans Best

I had the gearbox oil replaced last year with some good stuff (just can't remember what it was at the mo') and while the change was better when warm, the first to second and back again is definitely notchy when it is cold. The colder ambient temperature does seem to make this worse. I've just got used to it and do slower and more deliberate gear changes, making sure lutch is depressed all the way.

If the clutch is worn, you are going to notice it slipping in higher gears before anything else. To check, put the handbrake on solid, select 4th and try to start off. If the car stalls that's supposed to happen, but if the engine keeps running the clutch is slipping. This test works because a clutch converts torque and it has to do a lot more of that in a higher gear - it's a power equation thingy, where the effort required is squared or something.