I just got a 06 a little over a month ago and its my first manual ever. I have been reading in the posts that the tranny on a Stang is heavy duty... How does your car shift? Does the stick feel different at different RPM's? My stick at about 3000 RPM while shifting into 3rd feels different over any other shift point. It kind of kicks back a little and the clutch is fully depressed? Any comments would be great.

 

After reading your description over a few times to make sure I got it right, and noting thisis your first stick, it sounds like you're basically feeling the synchros doing their job.

Think of synchro's as little "mesh" gears that help the gearshaft spin up to speed to allow the next gear to engage when they match speeds. Basically, there has to be a particular drop in RPM for the next gear to engage smoothly when upshifting (accellerating). RPM's fall faster from high RPM, so the trans is ready for the next gear quickly. At lower RPM, you have to kinda wait on the synchro's....nudge the stick toward the gear and wait for it to slide in, you'll get a feel for when they match. Pretty soon you'll get good at it to be able to shift without a clutch (although I'd never recommend it with this vehicle, but fun on a pickup truck!)

By the same token, when downshifting during deceleration, if you tap the gas to quickly raise the RPM's a bit, you'll engage the next lower gear more quickly for the same reason. You just shove your foot to theright a little bit to tap the side of the gas while still pressing the brake pedal- practice in zero-traffic situations first however before getting cocky!

Assuming everything is with your trans, and it likely is, therule of thumb is never force it into gear, just guide it, and let the trans do it's job. If you want to shift faster, then shift later and not early when the RPM's are low.

If you already knew all this then I don't mean to waste your time, but you did say this was your first manual trans car.

 

thanks for the reply... I only notice when I am driving lazy around town. But when someone stares me down and I have to put them in their place everything is as smooth as can be.

 

Added more, so re-check my post. Pretty much sounds like you're just waiting on the synchros. Very normal. I mean, it's not actually kicking BACK out of third is it??? Just hesitant to go in? Normal. When cruising, there's no rush anyway right? Try driving lazy around town, but shift from a higher RPM to test it. Sounds weird but I bet you'll see the difference.

And the clutch is completely unrelated.....this is internal to the trans. And, getting munched synchros replaced is a common manual trans repair job that you want to avoid as long as possible, so listen to what those doohickeys are tellin' ya.

 

Its not really kicking... Its more of a little shake... It just seems at 3000 RPM while shifting in to 3rd its more noticeable. Usually if I am rushing it. When I shift slow it;s as smooth as can be. This clutch and tranny just feels a lot different that my brothers WRX. At higher RPM's its not even noticable.

Thanks Again. Just wanted to make sure it wasnt broke or I was breaking it.

 

There're about 40 Gazillion posts it seems, about odd little noises or shakes or clicks or thumps here and there. I swear the other day my car farted while I was in the garage with it.

Bottom line is I wouldn't worry about it, you do have a warranty and if anything, drive it hard and break it while you can so it'll get fixed. Sounds rude but it does beat limping around with some little problem a service tech conveniently won't be able to detect. Maybe have your bro give it a once-over, since he has more miles with a stick. Either way, betcha it's a nothing deal.

 

Yea the sounds should be normal. Our cars are SO noisy!

 

HAHAH When I turn off my car in the garage I can hear my K&N fart as it lets air back out for some reason

 

I know what you're talking about...

Its a small 'resisistance' some times on the shift.
And its always on the 2-3 shift.

I usually get it on the quickshift.
Goes in, not quite like butter..but you can feel theres something there.

 

This is pretty funny, because I went from a WRX with an STi short shifter in it to my '06 GT, and it is funny getting used to the different noises and feel of the car.

I had it at the dealer on Tuesday for a vibration issue (they say it is exhaust resonance) and what I called a "catch" on the 2-3 shift. It is exactly as described--sort of kicks back when making the shift. Doesn't do it all the time and it is really minor when it does, but I still wanted to have it looked at.

They said it wasn't an issue, just the nature of the tranny. I'm not sure I buy it, but at least it is in their service records now so just in case synchros start going bad a few years down the road there will be history.

 

I noticed it this morning..more than normal.

However after the car warmed up...no problem.

I'm wondering if its the inherant 'cold' problem with the tranny.

As the car warms up the tranny is easier to shift.
And with the weather getting colder lately... could be the issue.

I'll keep an eye on it.