I've had my 2015 for a few months and specifically bought it because I wanted a manual. It's a thrill to shift again and it has exceeded my expectations as far as being rewarding to drive (and shift).

I may get thrown off of the site for admitting this, but I almost always skip-shift. Typically and as traffic allows, I go: 1-2-3 then straight to 6.
Playing around a bit there's a rolling intersection on a hill and I can start at 3 (not slipping the clutch, just letting gravity do its thing) , then directly to 6. Not what I do on a regular basis, but just for an experiment. I don't lug it, just go easy on the acceleration

Here's my question: Does anyone actually go through all six gears? I never have and can't imagine a scenario where it'd be necessary, except for racing.

(Yes, I also do have an automatic, a Lexus, but I prefer driving the Fit.)

 

i'll skip 5th if i don't need it . sometimes i'll leave it in 5th if the speed limit is keeping me at 3000 rpm , if you you watch the milage
indicator , it likes 3000 rpm . i think a lot of owners skip 5th , it's been called the loneliest gear

 

If you're confident that you're not lugging the engine, there is certainly no harm in skipping gears.
When I lived in a hilly area and had a M/T I often used downhills to allow me to start in 2nd or 3rd as you suggest. No need to slow the car down from the speed that gravity has already given it by trying to start in 1st gear.
Many years ago when I was driving a 1994 Ford Escort 5-spd, with an 88-hp powerhouse under the hood, my mom had to drive it for some reason. When she returned she was complaining about how gutless it was and how shocked she was that in the 90s they were still selling cars with 3-spd manual transmissions. I guess she was shifting 1-2-5, which would have definitely put a damper on acceleration in that car. Still probably my second favorite car I've ever owned, after my Fit.

 

I do it when coasting down hills sometimes. Usually from 4 to 6.

 

Yes, I do skip gears regularly, both upshifting and downshifting. In summer conditions, when entering to the highway from our own road, I often accelerate full throttle in 2nd up to the redline and then shift directly to 6th.

 

I also skip 5th on my FIT.
Though I will admit there's one particular mountain road my GF found (sea to sky, in particular) that's perfect for 5th.
When I'd ususally do the 4th to 6th to 4th (repeatedly), 5th is the happy medium.
Who would have thought?!


Honestly, I think she was shifting 3-5. that's what my GF did with my 86 325es.
I also recall someone test driving my 84 Rabbit, and while they were leaving my house they were accelerating very slowly.
Sure enough, they were starting out in 3rd and riding the heck outta the clutch!

I've gott admit, it's kinda nice to be chatting with folks about shifting a manual.
I recall reading an article in the mid 00's that almost half of all vehicles were stick shift (in North America!).
Can't say I get to have this conversation much anymore!

 

i row through all 6. usually im only in 1-5 for most of my driving anyway. i dont even touch 6th until im at my cruising speed on the highway or im going 40 and i wont have to stop or slow down for a while.

 

most of my driving is city streets, back and forth to work. speed limit 25, thanks NYC. I tend to skip 3rd gear, and rarely go over 4th. on those rare occasions that I get out on the highway, I tend to skip 3 and 5 both... my dad would be shocked.
my first manual was an early 90's nissan sentra with a 4 speed... that I almost always needed all 4 gears for... but the civic I replaced it with had a 5 speed, and I remember not needing all 5 gears most of the time... start in 2nd, or skip 2 and 4 when getting onto a highway.
maybe this is why my gas mileage isn't so good.

 

I must be weird since I just go through the gears in sequence. I enjoy shifting. Kind of like knitting, it helps me relax.

 

i usually row through all 6 too! but ocasionally will skip...if its not luggiing (AT ALL) its not bad for anything(actually your putting less wear on trans)......my wife drives the car most of the time....she doesn't know 6th exists....5th was a hard sell...which she doesnt use either.

 

i like rowing through all the gears, its alot of fun. but sinc ei live in the city i typically sit at 4th on the standard roads, 5th on some of the longer stretches, and only hit 6 if im taking a highway

 

slightly off-topic, but does anyone know if the 3rd gen 6 speed manual trans will bolt onto the 2nd gen engine? ty

 

I believe that the transmission mounts are different but the bold pattern is the same between the GE8 and GK5.

I have always skip-shifted my manual transmissions. On my Fit I typically go 1-2-3-4–6 and sometimes 1-2–4–6. It depends on how much acceleration I’m looking for. If I’m really taking it easy than I skip more.
5th gear is definitely the loneliest gear for me, I very seldom use it.

 

thanks! care to join me on this thread?
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...-upgrades.html