Because this is my first manual transmission car I'm not exactly sure how the stick works (I have the mechanics down, but there is one thing I'm concerned about). I has to do with reverse. I'll back out of my drive way or a parking spot and no matter if I'm rolling forward or backward I can put it into 1st and start moving. Reverse doesn't work like that however. I can feel the syncros grinding (wc?) if I'm rolling, either direction it doesn't matter. So usually I have to slow the car down to a really slow crawl or stop it entirely to get it into reverse. Is this normal with all manual trannies? I've only driven BMW stick and VW sticks before it so I haven't had much experience with them.

 

I don't remember 100% but I think i could go into reverse easier while moving in other cars I have owned. Don't be worried my 2000 is the exact same way it might just be a nissan thing. You will get used to it!

 

You can't go into reverse from a rolling start because reverse doesn't *have* any synchros, if I'm not mistaken. The sound you hear is the gears meshing without any synchronization.
1st gear you can, because it has synchros...

 

reverse does NOT have syncros. Come to a complete stop before selecting reverse.

NO car that I am aware of puts a syncro on reverse. It is a waste of money, weight and space.

 

Also, it's a precautionary measure (in terms of design) so that you won't accidentally plug in the reverse gear instead of the 4th while moving forward in full swing.

 

and yes, in the mornings when its cold its particularly hard to get the car into first.

you'll have to either slow down completely or double clutch (clutch in, put into neutral, clutch out, clutch in, rev to correct rpm, put into first)

never force a car into the gear

 

aaauuuuggghhh! a newbie stick shifter controlling the VQ beast.....don't get in front of this guy in stop and go traffic!! That said, the Maxima is not the smoothest shifter or clutcher in the world, not by a longshot....not the easiest car to learn on, also because of the high torque compared to a civic or something...

just kidding though....it'll come to you!

 

yeah.. come to a complete stop before going into reverse.

 

Also, to save you the trouble of asking later, on occasion you won't be able to get the car into reverse. If that happens, simply let out the clutch and then press it again.

That's normal. It's even in the manual.

 

It's extremely annoying, but oh well. Basically just put it back in neutral, let out the clutch pedal, push it down again and then try to put it in reverse. May feel a little hard going in, but that's normal too. Just so long as it's not grinding...

 

any trouble you have is well worth the pleasure of having a 5-speed and not an automagic....assuming you don't spend the work commute in rush hour traffic...

 

I would have bought the manual if the auto didn't cost the same price. I don't regret getting the automagic though. I'm impressed with the way it operates.

 

In most cases, standard is cheaper than automatic by some $800 or so...
(at least here, in TX)

 

That's what I expected in the 02 Max. I was surprised to learn that both were standard equipment.

 

too bad its standard. usually its good justification to get a manual if the auto costs more.