Transmission Gear change difficulties

Phil S · 18th March 2007, 20:01

I have now had my new ES 2.2 diesel for just 2 weeks and have found it difficult to engage 1st and 2nd gear without some resistance and a 'knuckly' feel even with the clutch pedal pushed hard to the floor. I find the clutch engages quite early on release and is heavy compared to previous cars I have owned which were all petrol. Compared to my previous car which was a golf and my wives Focus the box is certainly not as smooth a gear change. Is this normal and if so will it get better with time?

czechplastik · 18th March 2007, 20:07

It will get better with time, any new gear box can be stiff at first. Give it a little time

Topcat · 18th March 2007, 21:08

This has been discussed before, my first civic was replaced due to the gear change difficulties which grew worse as time went by. I still have problems with my car now and I am not alone with this problem.

Keep an eye on it, from experience I would report it now to your dealership so they have it on record that there is a potential problem.

Phil S · 18th March 2007, 21:33

Thanks for the feedback so far, I think I will take your advice Topcat and report it to the dealer to see what they say and get it on record. Will probably ask to drive one of their demo cars to see how their box compares with mine.

Pottsy · 18th March 2007, 22:58

Phil, that sounds like a good idea. With the exception of the first 15 minutes on a cold day (when the box is a tiny bit stiff) the change is very slick and the clutch light.

Phil S · 2nd April 2007, 17:45

I at last managed to visit the dealer this weekend to compare my gear change with the salesmans car I demo'd when ordering my car.
What a difference!!

His car gear change was smooth and crunch free in all gears and the clutch felt lighter and released later, also the gear stick had at least half as much side to side movement when in gear.

Both cars are identical civics, his having done 2000 miles and mine 1200.

I have now booked my car at the dealer for this Wed for them to have a look at, having now realised what it should be like I will not be satisfied for anything less!

For interest to change gear I have to press the clutch pedal hard to the floor and it catches within 25 to 30mm from the floor. The gear stick has at least 25mm of side to travel when engaged in gear.
I wonder how this compares to others?

Topcat · 2nd April 2007, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil S

For interest to change gear I have to press the clutch pedal hard to the floor and it catches within 25 to 30mm from the floor. The gear stick has at least 25mm of side to travel when engaged in gear.
I wonder how this compares to others?

When I had problems they adjusted my clutch, then changed my gearbox and finally replaced the clutch - at that stage I refused to take the car back, the dealership say that it did solve the problem but I will never know.

DUNCAN · 2nd September 2007, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil S

I at last managed to visit the dealer this weekend to compare my gear change with the salesmans car I demo'd when ordering my car.
What a difference!!

His car gear change was smooth and crunch free in all gears and the clutch felt lighter and released later, also the gear stick had at least half as much side to side movement when in gear.

Both cars are identical civics, his having done 2000 miles and mine 1200.

I have now booked my car at the dealer for this Wed for them to have a look at, having now realised what it should be like I will not be satisfied for anything less!

For interest to change gear I have to press the clutch pedal hard to the floor and it catches within 25 to 30mm from the floor. The gear stick has at least 25mm of side to travel when engaged in gear.
I wonder how this compares to others?

how did you go on.???????????????

Bacchus · 13th November 2007, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil S

I have now had my new ES 2.2 diesel for just 2 weeks and have found it difficult to engage 1st and 2nd gear without some resistance and a 'knuckly' feel even with the clutch pedal pushed hard to the floor. I find the clutch engages quite early on release and is heavy compared to previous cars I have owned which were all petrol. Compared to my previous car which was a golf and my wives Focus the box is certainly not as smooth a gear change. Is this normal and if so will it get better with time?

Darn! That sounds like my car too.

Phil S · 13th November 2007, 22:21

Further to my original post some 8 months ago I have now completed 10000 miles and can report that the gear change is much smoother than when new.
When I took the car back to the dealer they bled the clutch which seemed to improve the gear change maginally so I decided to give it more time to settle in. The dealer had agreed that it was not quite as it should be but promised if i was not entirely happy he would change the clutch pressure plate if I brought it back at a later date. I decided to give it time and the clutch has now seemed to have bedded in. The majority of the gears engage smoothly and if I am really critical only changing into 2nd gear is not entirely perfect all the time. In essence I am now very happy with the car and have become use to the quirks of the gear change such as they are.

Jack The Lad. · 13th November 2007, 22:39

After 9 weeks, my cars gear change has really loosened up now. SO much better than when I collected it.
Stay with it Phil.

zio · 13th November 2007, 23:57

I occasionally have trouble with 2nd gear in mine. Sometimes I seem to have major issues getting it to go into gear - but only when shifting up to or down to the second gear. Until reading this thread I had wondered if it was just me...

Topcat · 14th November 2007, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by zio

I occasionally have trouble with 2nd gear in mine. Sometimes I seem to have major issues getting it to go into gear - but only when shifting up to or down to the second gear. Until reading this thread I had wondered if it was just me...

Its definately not you, I have done almost 10,000 miles now and sometimes my gears are still extremely stiff an clonky especially second gear.

Russell 10 · 17th November 2007, 08:45

My wifes 1.8SE has done 6200 miles now,and 2nd gear has always felt "clunky" from new. She has trouble going from 3rd to second,and frequently coasts around corners in neutral. The car has recently developed a annoying clinking noise from the clutch pedal,and the dealer has ordered a new clutch master cylinder. Maybe the gear change might improve after the replacement master cylinder has been fitted. It has been on back order now for over 3 weeks.

Topcat · 17th November 2007, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell 10

My wifes 1.8SE has done 6200 miles now,and 2nd gear has always felt "clunky" from new. She has trouble going from 3rd to second,and frequently coasts around corners in neutral.

That is extremely dangerous and the very reason I had my civic replaced, I pulled out on to a dual carriageway one day and the car simply refused to go from 1st to second or third and I coasted down the road with all the traffic behind catcing me up and beeping at me, I would quite often approach roundabouts and be unable to get back in to second from third, the roundabout would be clear and so I would coast accross it !!

They did change the clutch just before they replaced my civic and one day I spoke to an engineer at the dealershp who had been using my "old" civic as his car for a few weeks and he said he still had trouble with the second gear at times.

I still find gear changes in the civic clunky and extremely stiff at times and always reaslise how is is after I have driven a courtesy car.

Russell 10 · 17th November 2007, 18:30

Thanks for your info Topcat! I will wait and see what it is like after they change the master cylinder.

ciderman4 · 17th November 2007, 22:54

My car's done 15,500 miles and I still have a problem with 1st and 2nd gear. Having said that, it's not as pronounced when the car has warmed up.

cnicolini · 25th November 2007, 20:39

On two occasions in two months, my gear stick started to go into reverse but then just gets stuck half way, I had to yank it back into neutral. The dealer said that this may be because the gear linkages are still not worn in properly, and not to worry as its not regular.

Mind you my previous car I clocked over 80,000 miles, and I must agree the gear box will become more loose.

sco77harris · 26th November 2007, 18:25

im back guys, lol, i have had hell with econd gear from new, finally got them to look at it and was told the cog looked like a 90000 mile car and it was suggested it was due to hard driving, after they changed some parts on friday i drove home and kept missing second gear, i find it hard to believe it is me when it is second gear only and it has stopped since firday so maybe i was just tired or the change needed to loosen up the guy denied any gearbox problems apart from type rs, hopefully sitting closer might end this but i have a feeling its more than the way i sit as it was always 2nd gear

sco77harris · 28th November 2007, 15:23

no comments ?

18th March 2007, 20:01	#1 (permalink)
Phil S Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Gear change difficulties I have now had my new ES 2.2 diesel for just 2 weeks and have found it difficult to engage 1st and 2nd gear without some resistance and a 'knuckly' feel even with the clutch pedal pushed hard to the floor. I find the clutch engages quite early on release and is heavy compared to previous cars I have owned which were all petrol. Compared to my previous car which was a golf and my wives Focus the box is certainly not as smooth a gear change. Is this normal and if so will it get better with time?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Gear change difficulties
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Transmission gear change problems	kenh	Engines and Transmission	1	2nd September 2007 12:59
Transmission Creaking gear change	Topcat	Bugs, faults and irritations	20	7th August 2007 08:38
Transmission Gearical transitionary......umm (i shift gear change speed)	wolverine	Engines and Transmission	5	2nd February 2007 00:16
Dealers Difficulties when importing Civic from Denmark to Belgium?	Boban	Buying, Dealers and Servicing	10	30th January 2007 16:14
Interior Change of LED	Adri CiViC	Lights	7	20th October 2006 12:04


This thread is about: Gear change difficulties, it's in Engines and Transmission at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I have now had my new ES 2.2 diesel for just 2 weeks and have found it difficult to engage 1st and 2nd gear without ...

18th March 2007, 20:07	#2 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	It will get better with time, any new gear box can be stiff at first. Give it a little time

18th March 2007, 21:08	#3 (permalink)
Topcat Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 11th May 2006 Location: Middlesex Posts: 2,759 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader: (0)	This has been discussed before, my first civic was replaced due to the gear change difficulties which grew worse as time went by. I still have problems with my car now and I am not alone with this problem. Keep an eye on it, from experience I would report it now to your dealership so they have it on record that there is a potential problem.

18th March 2007, 21:33	#4 (permalink)
Phil S Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback so far, I think I will take your advice Topcat and report it to the dealer to see what they say and get it on record. Will probably ask to drive one of their demo cars to see how their box compares with mine.

18th March 2007, 22:58	#5 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo master Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 5,486 Thanks: 22 Thanked 169 Times in 100 Posts iTrader: (0)	Phil, that sounds like a good idea. With the exception of the first 15 minutes on a cold day (when the box is a tiny bit stiff) the change is very slick and the clutch light.

2nd April 2007, 17:45	#6 (permalink)
Phil S Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I at last managed to visit the dealer this weekend to compare my gear change with the salesmans car I demo'd when ordering my car. What a difference!! His car gear change was smooth and crunch free in all gears and the clutch felt lighter and released later, also the gear stick had at least half as much side to side movement when in gear. Both cars are identical civics, his having done 2000 miles and mine 1200. I have now booked my car at the dealer for this Wed for them to have a look at, having now realised what it should be like I will not be satisfied for anything less! For interest to change gear I have to press the clutch pedal hard to the floor and it catches within 25 to 30mm from the floor. The gear stick has at least 25mm of side to travel when engaged in gear. I wonder how this compares to others?

13th November 2007, 22:21	#10 (permalink)
Phil S Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Further to my original post some 8 months ago I have now completed 10000 miles and can report that the gear change is much smoother than when new. When I took the car back to the dealer they bled the clutch which seemed to improve the gear change maginally so I decided to give it more time to settle in. The dealer had agreed that it was not quite as it should be but promised if i was not entirely happy he would change the clutch pressure plate if I brought it back at a later date. I decided to give it time and the clutch has now seemed to have bedded in. The majority of the gears engage smoothly and if I am really critical only changing into 2nd gear is not entirely perfect all the time. In essence I am now very happy with the car and have become use to the quirks of the gear change such as they are.

13th November 2007, 22:39	#11 (permalink)
Jack The Lad. Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th August 2007 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 1,805 Thanks: 5 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts iTrader: (0)	After 9 weeks, my cars gear change has really loosened up now. SO much better than when I collected it. Stay with it Phil.

13th November 2007, 23:57	#12 (permalink)
zio Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 22nd June 2007 Posts: 94 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I occasionally have trouble with 2nd gear in mine. Sometimes I seem to have major issues getting it to go into gear - but only when shifting up to or down to the second gear. Until reading this thread I had wondered if it was just me...

17th November 2007, 08:45	#14 (permalink)
Russell 10 Wheelnut Join Date: 24th December 2006 Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	My wifes 1.8SE has done 6200 miles now,and 2nd gear has always felt "clunky" from new. She has trouble going from 3rd to second,and frequently coasts around corners in neutral. The car has recently developed a annoying clinking noise from the clutch pedal,and the dealer has ordered a new clutch master cylinder. Maybe the gear change might improve after the replacement master cylinder has been fitted. It has been on back order now for over 3 weeks.

17th November 2007, 18:30	#16 (permalink)
Russell 10 Wheelnut Join Date: 24th December 2006 Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your info Topcat! I will wait and see what it is like after they change the master cylinder.

17th November 2007, 22:54	#17 (permalink)
ciderman4 Wheelnut Join Date: 26th September 2006 Location: middx Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	My car's done 15,500 miles and I still have a problem with 1st and 2nd gear. Having said that, it's not as pronounced when the car has warmed up.

25th November 2007, 20:39	#18 (permalink)
cnicolini Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th August 2007 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 587 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader: (0)	On two occasions in two months, my gear stick started to go into reverse but then just gets stuck half way, I had to yank it back into neutral. The dealer said that this may be because the gear linkages are still not worn in properly, and not to worry as its not regular. Mind you my previous car I clocked over 80,000 miles, and I must agree the gear box will become more loose.

26th November 2007, 18:25	#19 (permalink)
sco77harris Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th June 2006 Location: stanmore london Posts: 978 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	im back guys, lol, i have had hell with econd gear from new, finally got them to look at it and was told the cog looked like a 90000 mile car and it was suggested it was due to hard driving, after they changed some parts on friday i drove home and kept missing second gear, i find it hard to believe it is me when it is second gear only and it has stopped since firday so maybe i was just tired or the change needed to loosen up the guy denied any gearbox problems apart from type rs, hopefully sitting closer might end this but i have a feeling its more than the way i sit as it was always 2nd gear

28th November 2007, 15:23	#20 (permalink)
sco77harris Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 5th June 2006 Location: stanmore london Posts: 978 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	no comments ?