I mean cold as in "not being driven in awhile", not cold as in temperature, since it's not particularly cold here in northern California.

When I drive the car after it has sat for awhile (overnight, for example), I notice that the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts grind slightly. I'm not talking about a loud-obnoxious-I-missed-a-shift-grind, but it's just enough that you can briefly feel it in the shifter. It goes away within a few minutes of driving, but it seems to do it every time.

Anyone else notice this?

 

Yes, especially the 1-2. Someone speculated it had to do with triple-synchros and cold oil... I've experienced this with other cars too.

 

Every car with a gearbox that I have owned has seemed to shift better with age. Give is some time to break in, and replace the fluid with Redline MT90.

 

I'll have to respectfully disagree. Neither my 4th nor 5th gen 5 speed Max's ever did this. Neither has any of the dozen or so other manual transmission cars I've owned, including the C5 and Civic currently in my driveway.

 

Then I misread your symptoms. None of my cars have ever grinded, but as they have gotten older, all have shifted smoother. My dad has a 6th gen and it seems to shift smoother than what you are describing. Go get a new gearbox from Nissan.

 

I notice a definite "thunk", both felt and heard, during a 1-2 shift and can feel a notch during the 2-3 shift. It always seems to be there to some extent, but is more noticable after sitting overnight or when cold (it's been down in the low-teens and single-digits overnight recently). Of course, I've only got 3K miles on it....hopefully things will smooth with break-in.

 

I have notice this too, from 1-2. However, it usually has stopped by the time I shift from 1-2 for the second or third time. It seems more pronounced in winter.

 

I agree and disagree.

"Give it some time to break in" -- YES. I now have over 13K miles on My SE with 6-speed. At home it sits in a garage, but a week ago I stared it outide in Illinois at -2 degrees F. I let it warm for about 2 minutes and then drove off; no problems with either 1-2 or 2-3 shifts.

"replace the fluid with Redline MT90." You had better check your warranty before changing your tranny fluid. Nissan want you to use their fluid in this tranny. They will not honor the warranty on the tranny if you put some other fluid in it.

 

Redline,that Is Exactly What Is Doing. After About 5 Minutes Of Driving It Goes Away...my Car Has About 1400 Miles. Maybe I'll Change The Oil On It To See If It Goes Away

 

I'm having the same problem. All of my previous manual tranny cars did not have this problem. Has anyone approached the dealer with this problem? Is there a TSB out for it?

 

I have noticed this as well on my 04 SE. I have 1500 miles on it right now and the 1-2 shift is the major culprit. However I do have it in the 2-3 shift as well. My 2000 SE had it but much less noticable.

I have been trying to figure out how to prevent that feeling in the stick so I have been trying different shift points. I have noticed that if you accelerate slowly and take your time shifting into 2nd gear that the feeling in the stick is very pronouned. But when I accelerate a bit faster and let the revs come up, and shift faster as well.... when i slide the shifter into 2nd gear , the sound does not happen. I dont know what happens in the transmission or synchros when you let the revs come all the way down when shifting between 1 and 2 gear. But it seems like something just does not get lined up or something.

Im not a mechanic and am not a guru but when your driving next let me know what you guys and girls find out if you wind it up a bit more ((doesn not have to be redline by any means), Dont let the revs come all the way down and get it into second. See if that helps.

Also when shifting between 1 and 2, pull the shifter towards the driver side when sliding it from 1st into second. It seems like a wants to take the gear from that position.

I am probably a bit mental, sorry for the long reply.

 

I drove my car this morning and it was a bit cold out. I HAD TO TRY PRETTY HARD TO GET IT ON SECOND GEAR.THAN AFTER FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING IT GOT SMOOTHER ON THE SHIFTING.I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TYPE OF OIL THAT NISSAN IS USING. IT MAY BE TOO THICK..

 

i am having the same problem as well, but i do not have a 6th gen. i have a 2k2 max with just over 13k miles on it. 3rd gear grinds a little when going in only when it is cold as well. 5th gear give me alittle bit of trouble as well, but not as often as 3rd gear. i plan on taking this back to nissan to have them fix it.

on another note, I was told by a nissan rep that it is recomended to use a better oil for both the engine and tranny after the car reaches 15k miles, but NEVER before 15k miles.

i just need to find a day that will be good that i will not need my car for.... or a few days for that matter. when my buddy needed tranny work done, it took 5+ days to finish..... i can not have that type of downtime.

-Chris

 

I Hate When Mechanics Puts Their Hands On Cars.they Don't Care...and Some Of Them They Don't Even Know What Their Doing!!!