Just bought a 04 6mt Black on Black, Prem, Nav, Aero. The car is lovely and thanks to everyone in the group who helped make up my mind.

Well, i notice that the 6 speed transmission in my car has the following that i did not have in my earlier Honda Accord 5 speed (stick) or any other manual car i have driven:

- The gear shift lever literally shakes (visibly and when you keep your hand on it) even when i cruise
- The shifting from 1st to 2nd is never smooth almost always. I mean there is a slight clicking feel just before the car shifts into 2nd gear from first.
- When i down shift from third to second, the car makes a whining noise. Is it because the ratios are long between 2nd and 3rd or ..?

Well, i have just about 600 miles on the car, do you think a few more miles would smoothen the gearbox or do you think i should treat this as a complaint with the dealer?

Please advise. Also, what do you mean by breaking-in the car? How should i drive the car to break-in properly and for how many miles?

Many thanks in advance.

 

Regarding the shift lever shaking. Well, it's not really shaking, its floating. It is floating due to the soft tranny mounts. I actually like it.

This is not a cheap transmission like the Honda Accord. It is going to feel a little notchy. Use some muscle.

For breaking the car in. Dealer says 1500 miles with nothing over 4 grand and don't stay at the same speed for a duration of time during that 1500 miles. Example, don't cruise at 70 MPH for a trip from Cali to Arizona.

I personally broke my car in like the following: I drove it home easy (about 35 miles). I then would lose the self control and the next day take it to red line a few times. I then would slap myself and gain control again. And this went on and on until the 1500 miles were up. I think that this car has tons of power. I recently installed my injen intake on my car (tires are fine) and when I shift from 1 to 2 my back end has a couple of times gotten squirrely (not out of control squirrely) and my shifting from 2 to 3rd has improved also, so much that I can get quite a loud chirp from my rear end. My gas mileage is also fine.

 

All the reviews mentioned that the shifter needs a bit more force and a more deliberate shift. Hondas have always had easy and soft shifters, even the S2000 has a easy shifter. As far as it smoothing out, most shifters tend to soften up a bit after use, once the detents get worn a bit.

BTW when did you get yours? Where are you located? I have the same car on order w/ the Full Aero in DG and the dealer told me to call me if I hear of anyone that has had it shipped in the same configuration.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by 04NismoV35 on 09/22/03 08:38 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

prabhacar,

One reason your G35's shift lever moves more than your Honda's did is because the shift lever is connected directly to the transmission. In front wheel drive cars like Accords, Maximas, etc. the shift lever is remotely mounted and operates the transmission through a control rod.

Manual transmissions are typically "tight" when new and usually loosen up with use. While Honda MTs are known for their smoothness and strength, unfortunately, Nissan seems to be having more than the normal amount of problems with the 6-speed MTs. Your 1st to 2nd gear notchiness may go away with time, however you might want to go on record with your dealer in order to CYA.

One more point to consider. While my Honda MTs used AT fluid for lubrication, my 5-speed Maxima used an oil that impeded shifting in cold weather. I changed it out for the appropriate Redline MT Fluid at 10K miles which helped a lot.

DaveO

 

I wish I would have know about the fluid before. I'm about a month away from returning my '01 Max and winter shifting was always impossible. I could have done something about this a long time ago.

 

I experienced the same rough/clicking on my 1st to 2nd shift on my 6MT. Although, if I'm careful to bring the **** *straight* down to 2nd (or maybe a little down and right slightly to 2nd), as opposed to forcing it down and left, there is no metal/clicking sound. I also only have around 3k miles, and am told it'll loosen up with time.

I talked to a guy with a stick Maxima and he said he had the same problems from 2nd to 3rd with the clicking. Go figure, it could just be poor shifting habits of ours.

Drew
2003 G35 Sedan 6MT / Black / Graphite / Aero