New MT Driver.. Am I doing something wrong?

[atreidy]

So this has been my first week driving a manual transmission and unfortunately I'm learning on my zed. It pains me and I worry I'm hurting her.

Going from N to 1st I can get a very smooth start, but it is gradual and slow. I suppose with time, I will find the catch point quickly while remaining smooth.

My problem is going from 1st to 2nd, I notice it's very hard to stay smooth and I'm worried I'm hurting the transmission/clutch. Also, when I shift into 2nd and keep my hand on the shift knob, as I release the clutch and add a bit of gas, I feel a slight click forward and then back on the shift knob. It makes me feel like the shift is hurting the transmission somehow. Even when I think I've done a good shift (the car doesn't jerk), I still sometimes feel that slight click.

Does anyone feel that too?

Also, 1st gear's gate feels pretty notchy, 2nd gear kind of similar (but less), and 3rd to 6th all feel very smooth going into gear.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[srhutch]

Three little letters "CDV" (Clutch Delay valve)

Just do a search and you will see :wink:

 

[TH3R4POR]

yeah, definintely CDV, I was worried about the clutch when I first bought mine.

 

[kartman]

won't removing something bmv put to prevent transmission wear will actually make things worth (CDV)?

 

[lacroupade]

Well its a good point TBH....as I only have a four-pot I have no hesitation in removing mine, but I can see with the bigger engines that it could well be a case of "which do you want to wear out first, your clutch or your transmission?". Bit of a no-brainer when you put it like that, but I guess it depends on how hard you drive it as to whether you think its a risk or not?

Its a bit like people putting 19" wheels on, driving like a looney, then wondering why their springs broke...

I believe there are alternative CDVs (search will help) that have the same but lesser effect, but you're right, its not there just to raise their manufacturing costs is it.

 

[srhutch]

But if you can drive a car properly then you dont need it.

I managed to drive cars for nearly 20 years without recking the transmission.

I read an article recently about a BMW tech who had a 135i and he removed it, so if BMW's own staff are removing them it tells you something.

 

[Mafoo]

This is something that I have been meaning to get done ever since I joined this forum. In saying that it is a straight forward job, if I walked into any garage and asked "can you remove my CDV" would they know what I was referring to (or should it be taken to BMW or a BMW specialist ??)

 

[srhutch]

This is something that I have been meaning to get done ever since I joined this forum. In saying that it is a straight forward job, if I walked into any garage and asked "can you remove my CDV" would they know what I was referring to (or should it be taken to BMW or a BMW specialist ??)

I spoke to a couple of so called BMW specialists and one didnt know what I was on about. In then end I was on a erand for work had my car and my modified CDV with me, asked the question explained what was required, no sooner had I finished explaining the car was on a ramp old one out, new one in and all it cost me was a drink.

dont think a dealer would be interested though.

 

[ga41]

This is something that I have been meaning to get done ever since I joined this forum. In saying that it is a straight forward job, if I walked into any garage and asked "can you remove my CDV" would they know what I was referring to (or should it be taken to BMW or a BMW specialist ??)

Just print off some of the material online and take it to your garage of choice. They should be able to sort it out easily. Or if you're up to it you could do it yourself. I had the dealer remove mine (mine's out of warranty anyway) because i have no tools at all and no experience in working on cars

 

[Mr Whippy]

It's just there so you can't shock load the transmission.

You can achieve the same by not shock loading the transmission by just driving well.

Dave

 

[Smokin]

Funny, after just a few hours of ownership, I no longer had any problems with shifting from 1st to second.

Just a couple of hints:

1. release the clutch faster than you did starting off, but not as fast as you will in subsequent gears, and like 1st, depress the accelerator just a bit and hold it steady until the clutch is fully engaged.
2. Get the revs up- it's easier to shift smoothly with the tach up from 3-4K rpms than in the lower ranges.


Now the best advice-go out and drive the car. Nothing is better than practice.

 

[kartman]

heal and toe.

 

[bulldog5046]

heal and toe.

i dont know anyone who would heal-toe gonig up the gears

also, i think its probably just because i have small feet but i cant do it in the Zed, pedals are too far apart for me.

glad i'm not the only one who finds 1st to 2nd shifts a bit 'rough', as above though, its alot smoother above 2.5k RPM

Ry

 

[Mr Whippy]

Just to check 100% you are using the clutch?

 

[bigshurv]

On my 3.0, the harder I drive it (1st to 3nd). the nicer the shift is. Going gently it is quite difficult to get a smooth change.Don't worry about it, it is a quirk with this car.