just bought a 6MT sedan and find the 2nd gear is stiff and little bit harder than the rest of them.

Is anyone experiencing the same.

The car has 650 miles and is still within breakin -- will it improve after that.

 

I have found mine to be easy to engage - no problems.

You might want to take it in... I belive the dealership has the ability to change the alignment. Seems like a read of a similar problem earlier...

 

How many miles does ur car have

What is the break in period -- does it become smoother after that.

Its tight sometimes and not always -- wondering whether its worth a visit to the dealer

 

I just passed 800 miles... but it was always fairly smooth.

 

ok

how are u driving in the break in period -- i am not reving more than 4000 rpm as per the manual and it says till 1200 miles

 

I have a background in the performance industry rebuilding factory engines for race applications... so I'm picky. But everybody has an opinion...

Basically, I believe that it is important for engine components to see full length of travel during the break-in period. So I believe that it is important to occasionally go into upper RPMs - but not under load.

It differs per engine, but Nissan builds a pretty tight engine from the factory, so break-in can take a while. I got mine right off the truck with 7 miles, so I knew I had full control of break-in. For this engine, here is what I chose to do:

For first 100 miles, very gentle, under 3000 RPMS. Careful with brake pads and rotors as well. Slow acceleration.

For next 200 miles, under 4000 RPMS.

For next 200 miles, very occasional trip up to 5000 RPMs.

Now, at 500, for the next 100 miles, occasional trip up to 6000 RPMS.

For next 100 miles, more often trip up to 6000 RPMS with occasional up to 7000 RPMS.

Then, slowly, get up into the higher RPMS more often - but not under load.

Again, when I say into the higher RPMS, this NOT flooring it - there should be very little load on the engine (which IS important for break-in) - slow acceleration.

But to go the full 1200 miles without the engine ever revving over 4000 RPMS is not going to wear the piston/cylinder wall (and other components) at it's full length of travel.

The most important aspect of break-in is not the actual RPM range, but keeping the engine away from full-load situations. The easiest method for a manufacture to explain this, is just to say "Keep it under 4000 RPMs for 1200 miles..."

This is just my opinion, and I know many will disagree.

 

I always thought that during break in, miles 0-100 are more important than miles 1100-1200 during the 1200 mile break in period so a gradual increase in load as you described makes perfect sense. And to expand upon that thought, I would think that miles 0-25 are more important than miles 75-100 so IMHO that is more reason to get a new car with as low miles as possible. I really don't want a new car with 20 miles of which 10 were a demo when cold.

 

Yep - one 5 mile demo (improperly driven) can really do some damage to a fresh engine. Since I got a 6MT, I could just envision the typical test drive including gear grinding and redlining a cold engine. No thanks. I'd rather have control over those variables.

 

It just might be a Nissan thing because I remember with the 02/03 Maximas 3rd gear was kind of rough getting into. Most folks on the forum replace their manual xsmn fluid with synthetic brand and claimed it shifted a lot smoother. I didn't change mine, I just learned how to master it.

 

My 6mt coupe has the same 2nd gear feeling although it seems like its getting a little better lately. I like how easily it shifts into first gear though, my celica would not go into first unless you were completely stopped.

 

My 2nd gear is getting much better since the last 100 miles.

Have done nothing and its shifts much better after the engine starts heating up.