Its hard to explain because its really tempermental and I can't quite figure out when it happens and link it to the temperature of anything really. But any way... my car 2002 Protege ES has 31k and I don't really get good shifts at all... Especially 1st to 2nd! It seems like whatever the combination with the clutch and gas..Most of the time its never smooth. I don't think its me...although it could be...but I think its the car. Could it be that I have to change the transmission fluid? I use castrol every 3k. I don't really drive agressive at all. Just normal accelerating and driving. But I can't stand that the shifts aren't smooth...and other times...are. I am getting a b&m or a kartboy short throw. It seems like when I shift low with the stick rather then the ****...I get better shifts. I am not sure what to do...any thoughts would be great!

 

It may be the car? mine doesn't shift as smooth as some other cars i've driven, neither of my protege's had the smoothest shifting, and i seem to recall other people complaining about this as well.
peace
dante

 

If it is just a notchy feeling when putting into gear, it could be the linkage...

 

Its not so much the shifting its the cars diriving... The car doesn't dive smooth as I think it should out of each gear. The car is very sensitive and not forgiving at all. Its forcing me to master shifting..just regular driving.

So my car can buck or stutter a little out of gears at times. Do you guys let the clutch out fully before even touching the gas. Or at the end of letting out the clutch start on the gas...etc. I have tried all combinations. I don't want to be riding the clutch. But it seems like thats what I have to do. It seems like the only way I get a smooth shift is if I do this perfect combination...do you guys experience the same thing? Thanks!

 

yeah i just kinda "slip it into gear" i guess thats how you'd say it? this car is pretty sensitive about how you shift i'm not sure hot you drive when i'm doing regular driving genrally i take off then put the clutch in but i don't shift right away i kinda coast for a few secs then slip it in this seems to help out a bit but like i said i had a 90 and now i've got a 02 and neither of them are the smoothest shifting cars i've ever driven maybe a differn't clutch could help but i'm not sure?
peace
dante

 

also i see your in new jersey could be the temp out side cuz my car sucks to shift gears in when its cold out side did you just start noticing this or is it this way in warm weather too?
peace
dante

 

Thanks for the quick posts! I notice it it both cold and hot weather..but I think more so in cold....like I said..it's real tempermental...and I can't quite figure out what causes it.

Any more thoughts?

 

um i would say just try slipping it into gear and like you said practice i guess? i guess we just have to get used to how these cars shift gears? lol
peace
dante

 

Should I change my transmission fluid..can this help it...or it's prolly just the car?

 

that may help i've never done it cuz i've only had my car like a month or 2 i'm going to try this hopefully it helps
peace
dante

 

drivethru--honestly, I think part of the problem may be that you are not shifting agressively enough. If you shift at lower RPMs, say around 3-3500, you are gonna get that jerky feeling, esp. between 1st and 2nd. That's because between shifts your RPMs are dropping down too low and it jerks into the next gear. Try letting the car rev up to about 4-4500 and flick that lever quickly into the next gear--your shifts will be a LOT smoother.
These cars like to rev, not like my Sentra where I could shift at 2500 and it was like an automatic.

 

Have you bled the clutch recently? My car wasn't shifting very well until we did that...

 

I actually shift around 2500-3000 like you said... If I do it any higher just for regular driving (not trying to accelerate fast) isn't that beating on the engine and tranny, etc.? The only time I shift any higher is if I am trying to get some real speed. What hurts and doesn't hurt you car as for shifting? Thoughts??

 

You don't need to run at WOT, just run the RPMs up there higher when you do accelerate.
You will not hurt the clutch or tranny at all, unless you start taking it up to redline on every shift.
I never shift below 4000 rpm unless I'm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

 

Doesn't that kill your fuel economy, shifting at 4grand? At whar rmps or point do you guys think its putting stress on the mp? j/w Any other thoughts... bump?