Gearshift not smooth
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Gearshift not smooth
I ordered a new 2007 blue coupe with manual transmission and it arrived two weeks ago. It is a very nice car, but the gear shift lever does not seem to be very smooth to me. It feels kind of lumpy or bumpy going from one gear to the next, and between second and third there seems to be a little catch. It gets better when it gets warm, but it still doesn't seem as smooth as other cars I've driven.
How do your transmissions shift? Are they smooth?
I don't know if I'm being too picky or if my transmission needs adjustment.
How do your transmissions shift? Are they smooth?
I don't know if I'm being too picky or if my transmission needs adjustment.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 129
From: San Marcos, Texas
Mine was the same way until about 8,000 miles. It was/is still pretty notchy when it is cold. When the engine and transmission are still cold I find it easier to shift from 1st to 3rd to 5th. I now have 23,000 miles on the car and it is much better. I think this is pretty normal.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 78
From: Miami FL
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
This is a HEAVY DUTY transmisson, good for more than 400 lb-ft. of torque. It is not gonna shift like your old Alfa Romeo.
Try Royal Purple Synchromax; it smoothed things out for a number of us.
Try Royal Purple Synchromax; it smoothed things out for a number of us.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu HI
did mine at about 500 miles (changed trans, engine and rear end oils)it was a BIG!! difference... night and day!!!!
yes it is a bummer that you have to do it to a brand new car.... but like any piece of machinery once it breaks in you change the fluids anyway....
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
As was mentioned, the C6 transmission isn't going to shift as smooth as many other cars. I really don't have any complaints with my transmission and I haven't felt any need to switch fluid.
The only 'problem' I can even think of is every once in a while if I'm stopped at a light and in neutral, it balks going into 1st. I generally just shift into 2nd then up into 1st (sometimes I'll just bump it a little in 2nd then go up into 1st). It happens so seldom it isn't a big deal. Otherwise the car upshifts and downshifts just fine through all the gears.
See if you can find another manual-tranny C6 to drive for comparison. If your car is vastly different, try Royal Purple or even have the dealership check it out.
I plan on installing a B&M shifter for shorter throws and quicker shifts. I've been told, however, it will actually make your tranny feel a bit 'notchier' than the stock shifter.
The only 'problem' I can even think of is every once in a while if I'm stopped at a light and in neutral, it balks going into 1st. I generally just shift into 2nd then up into 1st (sometimes I'll just bump it a little in 2nd then go up into 1st). It happens so seldom it isn't a big deal. Otherwise the car upshifts and downshifts just fine through all the gears.
See if you can find another manual-tranny C6 to drive for comparison. If your car is vastly different, try Royal Purple or even have the dealership check it out.
I plan on installing a B&M shifter for shorter throws and quicker shifts. I've been told, however, it will actually make your tranny feel a bit 'notchier' than the stock shifter.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 3
From: New Bern NC
Most all the shifters are somewhat notchy. It will get some better after some miles and you will get used to it. Overall, not a bad transmission, but I do believe GM could have designed a smoother shifter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: Dade City Florida
Mine was the same way until about 8,000 miles. It was/is still pretty notchy when it is cold. When the engine and transmission are still cold I find it easier to shift from 1st to 3rd to 5th. I now have 23,000 miles on the car and it is much better. I think this is pretty normal.
Mine smoothed out after use.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
A new shifter will make a world of difference in driveability for the fun factor, it will not help the notchy way it presently shifts. The synchromesh helps a bit with that. There is a fix for certain VINS of the 05s to replace the synchros in first gear. I am considering paying to have this done to my 05 as I get the lock out often.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 1
From: CA
There's a lot of variability between cars too, with the C6, I've noticed. Mine, unfortunately, is on the cantankerous side of the spectrum. I haven't studied it yet, but I suspect the shift linkage is the bad boy in shift feel.