How do you handle your knob? (1st to 2nd shift, again...)

[MrPT]

Was thinking about this the other day, while getting temporarily pissed off with the 1st to 2nd change in the Zed. CDV is gone, so I can let out the clutch smoothly, but it's still the most horrible shift in the box. Even when changing at the redline it never gives you much confidence.

I realise that I've inadvertently changed to "backhanding" from 1st to 2nd, i.e. palm facing away from me. I have no idea whether this places any additional strain on the box (?), but it does make for a more positive change. 3rd to 2nd I'll backhand as well now, even thought it's not necessary, and 5th to 4th I don't even ever do, usually just block shifting between 2/3/4 and 6th. I guess this is the way that a lot of people drive these engines for the best balance of fun and MPG.

Possibly the most boring thing anybody's posted today, sorry. Does anybody else do this or is it just me with my noodle arms? Seem to remember VBH from Fifth Gear having a similar knob technique, or maybe that was just a dream I had as a 13 year old...

 

[Putter Whore]

Had to give this some thought! I 'backhand' 1 - 2 and also when I'm going against the resistance on the way back down. Can't imagine this could possibly cause and problems unless you've got the touch of a blacksmith.

 

[Wyldie85]

I don't like this either. Notchy and not particularly smooth. I have my palm facing me when changing 1st to 2nd but it's rarely a pleasant experience. The rest are much better.

Thought it might just be my car but have since read that the box can be a bit like this.

 

[Z4MO]

Grab a hold and force it in

 

[thepits]

We need a dogleg box :lol:

 

[mcbeee]

had to think about this for a minute as my shifting is with right hand .....1st to 2nd is grab and pull straight back but 5th to 6th (and sometime 3rd to 4th) is backhanded as they are further away from my body..... which would be the same as your mirror image. Makes sense to me anyway

 

[Adamski]

Yes I do back hand for smooth driving..... had to think about it there, and I'll never get those 10 seconds back :lol:

 

[thepits]

I'll never get those 10 seconds back :lol:

Does that include foreplay? :rofl:

 

[RJS-Z4]

OP, test these. Both work for me, I spend a lot of time in traffic so get to mess with it.

Option a) Knock it out of first into neutral and then into second, whilst there's no speed to it, it does feel a lot smoother for some reason.

My issue is actually different to yours in that it's when changing going slow that it feels s**t, at maximum power it feels great and seems to flow through the gears.

Option b) Go full ballsy and double clutch, seems to be smooth as hell then, but it takes some getting used to. So Clutch down, out of first, clutch up, clutch down, into second, clutch up.

 

[Anonymous]

1st to 2nd, 3rd to 2nd, & 5th to 4th use thumb down technique, other changes use standard grip. Blip throttle on down changes to help match engine speed and smoothness, hands at 1350 hour position on wheel

1st to 2nd is never easy you just have to get used to the gear box


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[vanilla]

I do the same. change gears with palm facing away - glad it's not just me!

 

[MrPT]

OP, test these. Both work for me, I spend a lot of time in traffic so get to mess with it.

Option a) Knock it out of first into neutral and then into second, whilst there's no speed to it, it does feel a lot smoother for some reason.

My issue is actually different to yours in that it's when changing going slow that it feels s**t, at maximum power it feels great and seems to flow through the gears.

Option b) Go full ballsy and double clutch, seems to be smooth as hell then, but it takes some getting used to. So Clutch down, out of first, clutch up, clutch down, into second, clutch up.

A - haven't tried that. Weird one.

B. I want to learn this technique anyway, just for fun. Good idea.

I agree that at slow speeds it is worse. It's more that just being notchy - there is a little too much mechanical resistance for comfort.

 

[paulgs1000]

I double declutch down from 4th to 3rd and 2nd just to hear the exhaust note - must knock some mpg off but I love it - also helps the gearbox change when revs matched. Double declutching on way up would take time and effect performance too much (on my 2 litre)

1st to 2nd has always been inconsistent - some days smooth sometimes awkward - better once the box is warm.

Anyone have trouble getting into first at a stop - sometimes needs two or three tries now and again. . .

:driving:

 

[MrPT]

Anyone have trouble getting into first at a stop - sometimes needs two or three tries now and again. . .

Occasionally. The gearbox has this characteristic from new apparently, but many of us have switched to a short throw knob (e.g. ZHP) which makes it feel much worse.

The higher gears are lovely though. Working 2nd/3rd/4th on country lanes (either up or down) is a joy. :driving:

 

[RJS-Z4]

Give it a go with the neutral thing tomorrow, I promise you'll be surprised. Literally knock it out of first and let it spring into neutral naturally, then into second, feels so much better for some reason.

 

[MrPT]

Give it a go with the neutral thing tomorrow, I promise you'll be surprised. Literally knock it out of first and let it spring into neutral naturally, then into second, feels so much better for some reason.

Leaving at 5am for the WRC on Saturday. Should be an ideal time to try, methinks.

 

[Georgio]

Sometimes at lights I just can't get first gear, so I've found by accident that if I stick it in second then immediately shove forward into first it always slots in no trouble.
It's almost as if the cogs in the box are straight mesh instead of synchro mesh.
The only other gear box I've tried which is worse is on a VW T2 Campervan, now that really is crap.

Give it a go with the neutral thing tomorrow, I promise you'll be surprised. Literally knock it out of first and let it spring into neutral naturally, then into second, feels so much better for some reason.