Unusual Shift Pattern
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Unusual Shift Pattern
My new Vette arrived today in less than five weeks. The waiting is over! I noticied that you have to push the stick hard to the left to get into first gear. Normal pressure to the left will get you into third gear when you push forward. In effect, I have to push the gearshift hard to the left with the same force as pushing it to the right to get into reverse. I have driven many manual transmissions over the years and this is the first time I have needed to do this. Is this the way it is for all corvettes or is there something wrong with my transmission? Has anyone else noticied this difference between other sticks in the past?
RK
RK
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Certainly some pressure is required to go into 1st but it's not the same amount of pressure needed to engage reverse. It's difficult to tell without actually being there but I'd suggest giving it a while to 'loosen-up' and then see how it is. You might check the tranny fluid as well. Naturally, if you just feel it's all wrong...take it to the dealer.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
If your shifter is not as described in the owners manual then take it back and have them look at it. It sounds normal to me and I've driven manual transmissions for over fifty years, they just keep adding more gears.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Nipomo Kalifornia
Sounds just like mine...
I have the same basic impression of the manual shifter. There have been a number of 3rd gear starts for me, that, and my 6-5 is often a 6-3...irksome to say the least.
Either it is getting better or I am getting used to it though if that is any comfort. All of my past cars have been manuals and this is the first time for this sort of thing with me…I am having some trouble being as smooth as I would like to be. It does seem like this shifter likes to be hit not nudged into gear.
Are there springs that you can adjust/replace in the stock shifter? All the aftermarket versions “I” have seen talk about increasing the centering force by 30-50% which would seem to make it all worse. GPK
Either it is getting better or I am getting used to it though if that is any comfort. All of my past cars have been manuals and this is the first time for this sort of thing with me…I am having some trouble being as smooth as I would like to be. It does seem like this shifter likes to be hit not nudged into gear.
Are there springs that you can adjust/replace in the stock shifter? All the aftermarket versions “I” have seen talk about increasing the centering force by 30-50% which would seem to make it all worse. GPK
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Here's page 2-32 of the 2006 owner's manual.
The six-speed transmission has a spring that centers
the shift lever near THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from FIRST (1)
to SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to
FIFTH (5). The spring will try to pull the shift lever toward
FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you move the
lever into SECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you let the shift
lever move in the direction of the pulling, you may end up
shifting from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6)
to THIRD (3).
the shift lever near THIRD (3) and FOURTH (4). This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from FIRST (1)
to SECOND (2) or downshifting from SIXTH (6) to
FIFTH (5). The spring will try to pull the shift lever toward
FOURTH (4) and THIRD (3). Make sure you move the
lever into SECOND (2) or FIFTH (5). If you let the shift
lever move in the direction of the pulling, you may end up
shifting from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) or from SIXTH (6)
to THIRD (3).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by torcano
My new Vette arrived today in less than five weeks. The waiting is over! I noticied that you have to push the stick hard to the left to get into first gear. Normal pressure to the left will get you into third gear when you push forward. In effect, I have to push the gearshift hard to the left with the same force as pushing it to the right to get into reverse. I have driven many manual transmissions over the years and this is the first time I have needed to do this. Is this the way it is for all corvettes or is there something wrong with my transmission? Has anyone else noticied this difference between other sticks in the past?
RK
RK
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 60
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Unusual Shift Pattern
I am glad it is not just me. I too have been driving manual transmissions for over 40 years and can't remember the last time I started a car in 3rd gear. I am sure it just takes some getting used to. I was worried my advancing age was catching up on my motor coordination
Thanks for your all your input.
RK
Thanks for your all your input.
RK
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 582
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From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Originally Posted by Oui
Your not alone !
I have have trouble with 1st gear but 2nd gear is even tougher....I keep going into 4th
I have have trouble with 1st gear but 2nd gear is even tougher....I keep going into 4th
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 133,592
Likes: 30
St. Jude Donor '11, '16
Originally Posted by GKrueger
I have the same basic impression of the manual shifter. There have been a number of 3rd gear starts for me, that, and my 6-5 is often a 6-3...irksome to say the least.
Either it is getting better or I am getting used to it though if that is any comfort. All of my past cars have been manuals and this is the first time for this sort of thing with me…I am having some trouble being as smooth as I would like to be. It does seem like this shifter likes to be hit not nudged into gear.
Either it is getting better or I am getting used to it though if that is any comfort. All of my past cars have been manuals and this is the first time for this sort of thing with me…I am having some trouble being as smooth as I would like to be. It does seem like this shifter likes to be hit not nudged into gear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Wayne O
Certainly some pressure is required to go into 1st but it's not the same amount of pressure needed to engage reverse. It's difficult to tell without actually being there but I'd suggest giving it a while to 'loosen-up' and then see how it is. You might check the tranny fluid as well. Naturally, if you just feel it's all wrong...take it to the dealer.
First is easy, I have had a bit of trouble at times with R from sitting cold. Nothing too bad, but I'll keep an eye on it. Only 2500 miles so far--but a lot of shifting!! That's what I bought it for! 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 191
From: New Jersey
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I noticed the same thing. When I down shift from 6th and aim for 5th I sometimes wind up in 3rd. I fixed the problem by aiming for reverse when I'm going from 6th to 5th. So far its made downshifting alot easier.
I will post if there is any improvement when I install my Kirban shifter next week.
I will post if there is any improvement when I install my Kirban shifter next week.
