2012 WRX 3rd to 4th Shift Issue

pegruder · 10-08-2012, 11:40 PM

So this is kinda weird, and quite possibly, just me making a mistake. When I shift quick from 3rd to 4th, it feels like im getting stuck in the middle of the gate. Only way I can think of describing it is when I pull from 3rd to 4th, it seems I hit the gate dividing 2nd and 4th. Anyone else have this issue? It happened a few times, usually when Im getting on it and trying to shift quickly. Today for instance, passing on the highway, I went to throw 3rd to 4th, and ended up throwing 2nd gear....Lets just say that didnt feel or sound good... I didnt come fully up on the clutch, just enough to let me know that certainly wasnt the right gear. Maybe its my technique, but I'm not sure. I've driven manual daily for quite a number of years throwing 3rd to 4th shifts and never had an issue. Just curious of anyone else has experienced this.

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zackg · 10-08-2012, 11:52 PM

I had the same issue with mine. I think i did something to it while i was at the track once. I just fixed it by just trying to go slightly right when going into 4th.

pegruder · 10-08-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackg

I had the same issue with mine. I think i did something to it while i was at the track once. I just fixed it by just trying to go slightly right when going into 4th.

I was figuring just do that. Im thinking what happened is I had my hand on the shifter and was turning hard left to get in front of who I was passing. Possible the G forces pulled my hand and shifter over to the left some as well.

MaddMax · 10-09-2012, 01:05 AM

You're holding your hand incorrectly.

1-2 pistol grip style, pull directly back

2-3 palm behind back of the shift knob, fingers pointing towards passenger side, push forward

3-4 invert hand, thumb down, wrap fingers around the front of the knob, pull back

Use these shift techniques and the shifter will slide into the gears, not get hung up on the gates, nor will you risk the Money Shift.

"Money Shift" - Typically hitting 2nd gear at a very high speed where you're intention was to grab 4th. Hitting 2nd will exceed the engine operating rpm, blow right through the rev limiter, and possibly a spin bearing or crash a valve(s).

pegruder · 10-09-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddMax

You're holding your hand incorrectly.

1-2 pistol grip style, pull directly back

2-3 palm behind back of the shift knob, fingers pointing towards passenger side, push forward

3-4 invert hand, thumb down, wrap fingers around the front of the knob, pull back

Use these shift techniques and the shifter will slide into the gears, not get hung up on the gates, nor will you risk the Money Shift.

"Money Shift" - Typically hitting 2nd gear at a very high speed where you're intention was to grab 4th. Hitting 2nd will exceed the engine operating rpm, blow right through the rev limiter, and possibly a spin bearing or crash a valve(s).

Nice write-up! I just hope I didnt break anything on my money shift this evening. Car sounded fine/drove fine, still has the same power so Im guessing its fine.

Decipher · 10-09-2012, 08:58 AM

That's solid advice. Use it. People get excited and grip their shifter much harder than they need to. As for the 2nd gear mishap, I'm sure you're fine if you didn't completely disengage the clutch. Try the method above and report back. This perception of a "shift gate" is not actually any type of gate at all. The internals of the transmission are very different than this idea, so it's most likely operator error than it is an issue with your transmission.

bacalhau16 · 10-09-2012, 08:23 PM

I do this a lot actually. Correcting my had position has helped the issue. I still feel like there is something about the 3-4 in these cars. It feels slightly right when racing opposed to stright down/back. However u look at it.

pegruder · 10-11-2012, 10:43 PM

This has def helped me. The 3 to 4 shift feels alot smoother/positive. I'm pretty sure I was pistol gripping the 3 to 4 shift, which def seems why I was pulling it towards 2nd.

the suicidal eggroll · 10-11-2012, 10:48 PM

For the 3rd and 4th shift you should not have your hand wrapped around the shifter. Just apply fore/aft force and let the shifter center itself. If you try and "pistol grip" your 3rd or 4th shifts, you risk pushing it slightly to the side and bouncing off the gate or hitting the wrong gear entirely. It's just not a good idea. I shift very similar to MaddMax, it's good advice.

coldmm803 · 10-12-2012, 09:34 PM

I've experienced this too. Also have had the 2nd to 3rd feel notchy a few times. I've got around 4,000 miles on the car and it seems to feel smother and better the past two weeks. This is my first manual transmission. Is there a break-in/wear-in period for transmissions? I could see bearings and things loosening up a little.

jeonster · 10-15-2012, 02:35 PM

Thank you. this is my 1st manual car.

10-08-2012, 11:40 PM	#1
pegruder Scooby Newbie Member#: 325584 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Queens, NY Vehicle: 2012 Impreza WRX DGM - Stg2 304whp/308wtq	2012 WRX 3rd to 4th Shift Issue So this is kinda weird, and quite possibly, just me making a mistake. When I shift quick from 3rd to 4th, it feels like im getting stuck in the middle of the gate. Only way I can think of describing it is when I pull from 3rd to 4th, it seems I hit the gate dividing 2nd and 4th. Anyone else have this issue? It happened a few times, usually when Im getting on it and trying to shift quickly. Today for instance, passing on the highway, I went to throw 3rd to 4th, and ended up throwing 2nd gear....Lets just say that didnt feel or sound good... I didnt come fully up on the clutch, just enough to let me know that certainly wasnt the right gear. Maybe its my technique, but I'm not sure. I've driven manual daily for quite a number of years throwing 3rd to 4th shifts and never had an issue. Just curious of anyone else has experienced this. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-08-2012, 11:52 PM	#2
zackg Scooby Newbie Member#: 248581 Join Date: Jun 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pittsburgh Vehicle: 2012 STI WRB	I had the same issue with mine. I think i did something to it while i was at the track once. I just fixed it by just trying to go slightly right when going into 4th.

10-09-2012, 01:05 AM	#4
MaddMax Scooby Specialist Member#: 9264 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City Vehicle: 2012 WRX 5dr Ice Silver	You're holding your hand incorrectly. 1-2 pistol grip style, pull directly back 2-3 palm behind back of the shift knob, fingers pointing towards passenger side, push forward 3-4 invert hand, thumb down, wrap fingers around the front of the knob, pull back Use these shift techniques and the shifter will slide into the gears, not get hung up on the gates, nor will you risk the Money Shift. "Money Shift" - Typically hitting 2nd gear at a very high speed where you're intention was to grab 4th. Hitting 2nd will exceed the engine operating rpm, blow right through the rev limiter, and possibly a spin bearing or crash a valve(s).

10-09-2012, 08:58 AM	#6
Decipher Scooby Specialist Member#: 262760 Join Date: Nov 2010 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lake in the Hills, ILLnoise Vehicle: 2011 WRX Hatch Limtd Satin White Pearl	That's solid advice. Use it. People get excited and grip their shifter much harder than they need to. As for the 2nd gear mishap, I'm sure you're fine if you didn't completely disengage the clutch. Try the method above and report back. This perception of a "shift gate" is not actually any type of gate at all. The internals of the transmission are very different than this idea, so it's most likely operator error than it is an issue with your transmission.

10-09-2012, 08:23 PM	#7
bacalhau16 Scooby Newbie Member#: 297565 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Dartmouth, MA Vehicle: 2011 WRX hatch Silver	I do this a lot actually. Correcting my had position has helped the issue. I still feel like there is something about the 3-4 in these cars. It feels slightly right when racing opposed to stright down/back. However u look at it.

10-11-2012, 10:43 PM	#8
pegruder Scooby Newbie Member#: 325584 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Queens, NY Vehicle: 2012 Impreza WRX DGM - Stg2 304whp/308wtq	This has def helped me. The 3 to 4 shift feels alot smoother/positive. I'm pretty sure I was pistol gripping the 3 to 4 shift, which def seems why I was pulling it towards 2nd.

10-11-2012, 10:48 PM	#9
the suicidal eggroll NASIOC Supporter Member#: 51961 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Broomfield, CO Vehicle: 2005 STi 2012 WRX	For the 3rd and 4th shift you should not have your hand wrapped around the shifter. Just apply fore/aft force and let the shifter center itself. If you try and "pistol grip" your 3rd or 4th shifts, you risk pushing it slightly to the side and bouncing off the gate or hitting the wrong gear entirely. It's just not a good idea. I shift very similar to MaddMax, it's good advice.

10-12-2012, 09:34 PM	#10
coldmm803 Scooby Newbie Member#: 229343 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Allentown, PA Vehicle: 12 WRX SWP sedan 09 LGT RIP	I've experienced this too. Also have had the 2nd to 3rd feel notchy a few times. I've got around 4,000 miles on the car and it seems to feel smother and better the past two weeks. This is my first manual transmission. Is there a break-in/wear-in period for transmissions? I could see bearings and things loosening up a little.

10-15-2012, 02:35 PM	#11
jeonster Scooby Newbie Member#: 198854 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hartford, CT Vehicle: 2013 WRX Silver	Thank you. this is my 1st manual car.