Hey everyone

I'm pretty new to driving stick (< 2 years), and my Fit was the first vehicle I learned on (so I don't quite hate the DBW as much as the rest of you do :P)

My buddy let me try his Mazda3 the other day, and commented that I shouldn't throw the shifter so quickly. I generally flick it and move the shifter really quickly (I'm talking only about the shifter here, to shift smoothly my feet still wait for the timing and stuff).

Could flicking the shifter too quickly be detrimental to the gearbox (or anything else?) I don't know much about the mechanics of what goes on when I move my shifter so now its got me wondering.

Appreciate any help
-xan-

 

it could potentially prematurely wear your syncro's. im pretty gentle with
the shifter even at wot.

 

yeah just try to tone it down
i hate when i'm with someone and it seems like they're racing they're throwing it so fast
i personally LOVE the feel of slowly moving it

 

It can also wear out the shifter bushings on the transmission, or so I've heard.

I just move it enough so it pops in place. I shift pretty fast, but I don't try to jam it in.

 

The other thing to watch out for, though I wouldn't worry too much on the Fit is shocking the clutch can break the dampening springs loose which can tear up the clutch and flywheel. (my former roommate used to beat on my accord and this happened!)

 

Awesome thread!!! This is really good info to have about not flicking the shifter. I know when I'm driving it just begs for it as it goes so smoothly. I have to catch myself all the time. I don't get the subtle grind and popping out of 1st feeling when I make sure to clutch in all the way and guide the shifter into 2nd nice and easy.

 

Thanks for all the feedback so far everyone.

Yes I think the Fit's slick shifter does make it really tempting to flick every shift. But yeah some of my shifts were a bit noisy then, hopefully I can break the habit and shift more gently.

My feet have been fine as I've been learning to rev match well, but yeah its my hands.

 

The Fit's ultrasmooth action does make it seem slick and easy, almost as though you were flicking a light on and off. But there is actually pretty much mechanical stuff going on when shifting from one gear to another. The shift lever moves cables, which attach to shift forks inside the gearbox; the shift forks push and pull on gear/synchro assemblies. To change gears:

• the cables move the fork which disengages the gear you were in
• perhaps another fork is put into use, depending on which gears you are talking about
• the forks move on shafts, which have detents for final location and mechanisms to prevent more than one fork from moving at the same time -- all of that stuff clicks and clacks into the correct alignment
• the synchronizer starts spinning the gear being engaged, bringing its speed up to that of the output shaft of the transmission and preventing the gears from grinding
• the gears engage

All of that happens in the blink of an eye and flick of a wrist in the Fit. Pretty amazing if you ask me. Anyway, yeah, slowing it down a bit is nice for the moving parts, especially the moving parts in someone else's car.