[Manual MK6 Owners] - GTI 2nd to 3rd Gear Engagement

[mythik]

Anyone notice that the engagement between 2nd and 3rd gear is sometimes less than smooth and feels a bit notchy?

Mine has been like this since day dot, but I figured it'd improve with time. It's near 10k on the clock now, and it's no better.

Thoughts?

[blutopless2]

I'd get it looked at. Doesn't sound right to me.
The GTI we test drove was smooth through all gear changes.

[spellbound]

Agree can sometimes be a bit notchy , i must say not as smooth as a honda , my octavia RS was the same as the GTI , maybe i am a bit sloppy , i presume your talking changing down not up .

[mythik]

Under more spirited driving, it's even notchier, but just boring driving, comparative to the Polo (which is silk), it feels notchy during engagement from 2nd to 3rd.

[Lucas_R]

Mine has a bit of trouble going into 5th sometimes, but all the other gears are ok.

[SMOK3Y]

i somtimes bunt inbetween 1 & 3rd when changing i put it down to laziness on my part lol

[Scratchyratface]

Mine can be a bit of an effort when starting the car and putting it in reverse (to get out of the garage), usually a 2nd press of the clutch and selecting reverse fixes it. I can't say I recall having an issue going through the gears though.

[AAP01]

Reverse is pain with me sometimes as well. I don't think to much into it due to last four cars I've owned reverse has always been a pain for some weird reason.

[peedman]

No problems here even with forge short shift. Get a warranty thing, perhaps the shifter just needs to be realigned?

[jozeff]

This is why i'm so happy i got the DSG for our new GTI which is our second car.

Our other is a 130i M sport manual which has one of the best gearshifts i've ever driven. However even with my BMW, there are days where i feel i can almost unconsciously shift gears seamlessly coordinating clutch, accelerator and gear lever. And then there are other days where i'm like WTF is wrong with my gearbox!!! Normally on these days the wife has moved my drivers seat, thus ruining my perfect setup.

I did however ask my mechanic once and he said that there are times where the ambient temperature can affect the viscosity of the gearbox oil and therefore some days it'll feel buttery smooth and other days less smooth.

Perhaps look into some Redline or Motul gearbox oil? Had some of this in my Clio Sport and it transformed the gearshift!

[magellan]

Mine has a bit of trouble going into 5th sometimes, but all the other gears are ok.

Mine is the same. Occasionally the shifter will only go half way into 5th and you then have to take it out and try again. I can also sometimes feel a slight vibration in the shifter when in 4th gear. The dealer is going to take a look in a couple of weeks.

[SMOK3Y]

Reverse is pain with me sometimes as well. I don't think to much into it due to last four cars I've owned reverse has always been a pain for some weird reason.

actually i find reverse is too easy to get into even though its push down lol

[hooba]

Under more spirited driving, it's even notchier, but just boring driving, comparative to the Polo (which is silk), it feels notchy during engagement from 2nd to 3rd.

Agreed. It took me a while to get used to it, I found that letting go a little bit to let the self centring spring line it up on the 3-4 plane made it a lot easier.

If you are having problems with accidentally getting reverse, you need to try to stop putting your weight onto the gearshift.

[SMOK3Y]

ya still just used to man handling ss v8 6speed

[Captain Courteous]

Anyone notice that the engagement between 2nd and 3rd gear is sometimes less than smooth and feels a bit notchy?

I sometimes get this.. Maybe 15-20% of the time.. When moving the shifter into 3rd it kinda gets a bit stuck just above neutral (hope that makes sense) Obviously not wanting to force it, I hang it into N for a bit then move slowly into 3rd..

I reckon it's more me rather than the car.. I've started making the habit of using my palm from behind the shifter to move from 2nd to 3rd rather than grasping the stick at the top and getting the forks 'stuck'... It has helped,

Reverse is pain with me sometimes as well.

There are times when my reverse doesn't 'lock in'.. Even when doing it slowly, I sometimes get a small crunch too..

If you are having problems with accidentally getting reverse, you need to try to stop putting your weight onto the gearshift.

+1.. (according to the manual) even when you're cruising, try not to keep your hand sitting on the shifter so as to not put any unnecessary pressure on the selector forks



Bottom line: I will always love manuals. Especially for a small car