Second gear grinding & remedy

[Foxbox]

Mine didn't come with a temp gauge

Mine didn't either.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

None of the Sonic's have an engine temp gauge. You would need to put one in or get some sort of OBDII Tool like an ultragauge, ELM327, or a scan tool.

 

[XgovernmentAgent]

My first sonic had this issue. It was a 2012 LTZ hatch. Had an appointment at the dealership for them to take it in and replace the trans. a couple days later, someone ran a stop sign and totaled it. my '13 doesnt have any issues with 2nd gear grinding. Neither does my brothers black '12 LT turbo. So saying you gotta learn the trans, i will call BS on that.

 

[sx sonic]

Update on my fluid swap

So I've gotten around 6K mi since swapping trans fluid to Lucas Oil 75w-90 and so far I've never gotten any sort of 2nd gear grind. I've tried to get it to grind, high rpm shifts, NLS, merging, etc. No issues with any grinding.

I do have one downside. When ambient temps get cold (below about 40) it becomes very difficult to get into 1st gear and difficult to short shift into 2nd. This issue doesn't last long, maybe 5 mins until the fluid builds up some temp but it is still annoying. Worth the trade off in my opinion but still worth mentioning

-tyler

 

[StrictlyCustom]

I've noticed the same regarding cold temps and hard to get in gear. I usually let my car run 3 mins or long enough for the RPMS to drop to 900

 

[JimmyBuckets]

I just put in the RedLine MT90 and I have to say even after only a few mile...much better feel and MOST of the notchiness from 1st to 2nd is gone.

 

[Eric Smit]

most?


-Eric Smit

 

[JimmyBuckets]

To me 1 to 2 shift felt more like a power shift with almost no clutch. Accelerate, clutch, wait, feel your opening, then 2nd. The last few drives today have seemed to improve shifts bit by bit as the new fluid goes through a few heat cycles. Now shifts feel firmer, more precise and yes...most of the notchiness is better...I don't want to say gone. I would have to say it doesn't feel as much like the transmission is being destroyed just by using it anymore. It now feels closer to my old GTI or WRX. MT90 is a mandatory upgrade and I wish I did it sooner. This with a short shifter kit would bring the fun factor to the next level for me.

 

[sx sonic]

I've also noticed easier shifting and better feed back after changing out the fluid. Well except when the fluids cold ON a cold day, then 1 and 2 are a b!tch for about 5mins then its great agian

 

[JimmyBuckets]

It's cold this morning I will see how mine starts off since I'm using Recline and I belive you are on Lucus.

 

[sx sonic]

Yup I'm running Lucas. My parts store didn't carry the other and I would not have gotten near the discount as I did with Lucas.

I'm curious to see how redline does (temps have been 30-40 lately)

 

[Foxbox]

I have zero problems shifting in the cold weather with MT-90 fluid in my transmission (referring only to the people having issues getting it into gear while it's cold). It's still hit or miss whether it will grind when shifting hard into second gear.

 

[dvn]

I have redline in mine and Lucas in my daughter's Mazda 3. Both work well but both are slightly notchy when cold. I think that's just the nature of the beast for a manual trans.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

It read 47 degrees when I got in my car yesterday. No major issues shifting gears, but like others have said...its better after it warms up.

 

[Shinrin]

I managed to do this twice in a row. Sat and thought about it, tried it again but holding the clutch an extra second, and it shifts fine. I think it just takes slightly longer to engage than usual.

 

[slitzell]

I haven't had any problems going 1-2 in this car compared to my 350z. It grinded all the time and Nissan always told me there was nothing wrong. I don't now often but when I do I haven't grinded.

I'm swapping to redline for a smoother feel

 

[chrisennis7]

I haven't had any problems going 1-2 in this car compared to my 350z. It grinded all the time and Nissan always told me there was nothing wrong. I don't now often but when I do I haven't grinded.

I'm swapping to redline for a smoother feel

+1 my 350z HATED 2nd gear

 

[bergeron007]

Thank you!! glad I found this thread, I was really getting annoyed by my driving. Thought for sure I was having a 2nd gear problem. Just glad its not just me thats all

 

[slitzell]

+1 my 350z HATED 2nd gear

Yea something about 2nd gear in that car. I had to granny shift it for it to be smooth.

 

[Ubryaj]

just had the oil changed to Redline MT90 75W-90 GL-4

let me tell you, this is a must mod. i did a NLS from 1st to 2nd @ 6000 rpm and it didn't grind a bit.

it took exactly 2 quarts and there was a drain plug on the bottom of the 6-speed (not sure if there is a drain plug on any other tranny offered).

dealer charged me .5hrs and that came to 32.06 after tax. $31.43 for the oil.

I had the dealer do it and since the redline exceeds GM's specifications its all under warranty still.

here's a picture of the quart size oil i used:

here's 2 pictures of the drain plug setup:

here's a picture of the drain plug. its on top of the transmission, almost directly under the brake master cylinder.
you'll need a long funnel.

Your flickr pictures aren't working anymore, can you fix them? Thanks.