Difficulty Engaging 3rd Gear 1LE

80sMetalDude · 02-17-2017, 05:53 AM

I admit to being away from driving a stick for like 20 years.

Driving the 1LE for a couple weeks now and everything is fine when casually driving.

Try to hit it and take off... 1st (fine) , 2nd (fine), each and every time I cannot find/engage 3rd gear like the stick won't slip into the spot...and ultimately find 5th gear in desperation. And it's always 3rd gear I have the difficulty with.

Starting to feel tarded...

HyperBlueX2 · 02-17-2017, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sMetalDude

I admit to being away from driving a stick for like 20 years.

Driving the 1LE for a couple weeks now and everything is fine when casually driving.

Try to hit it and take off... 1st (fine) , 2nd (fine), each and every time I cannot find/engage 3rd gear like the stick won't slip into the spot...and ultimately find 5th gear in desperation. And it's always 3rd gear I have the difficulty with.

Starting to feel tarded...

In my Gen 5 manual I had to let the shifter find the gate for 3rd naturally...... I too had the same problem from the 4 speed muscle cars I was used to driving..... I would over shoot the gate for 3rd..... the gate for third is the shifters natural position.... let it guide itself center and tehn give it an upward motion.....

SS 1LE · 02-17-2017, 08:00 AM

I haven't had this problem with mine. But have you tried "palming" the shift to third? That works well for many...the newer 6/7 speed manuals have a narrower gate than the older 4/5 speeds and such.

MatthewAMEL · 02-23-2017, 02:21 PM

I was having the same issue with 2nd-3rd shift.

I started to realize it was me when the problem happened at low speed, high speed, low rpm, etc...

SSDan · 02-23-2017, 02:43 PM

I use an open hand and place my palm on the back of the shifter knob a little off center (towards my right leg) and just shove it straight up. It gates into third - no problems. Now if I forget and wrap my fingers around the top of the shifter and try to quickly steer it from second to third - that leads to problems and a missed gear.

Ryephile · 03-02-2017, 02:44 PM

Hmm I haven't had a 3rd gear problem like you describe.

Mine refuses to go into 2nd when the trans fluid is super cold (ambient <40°F), as in if I tried any harder, even with a double-clutch, it would bend something. Last weekend I swapped in AMSoil Manual Syncromesh and now it actually goes into 2nd when it's cold out.

On the stock trans fluid, 2nd was fine once it warmed up a bit, only stone cold did it struggle. Now with the AMSoil it's good all the time. I've been running the AMSoil in most of my track car tranny's for about a decade now so it's more than anecdotally proven itself as quality.

It's also possible the syncro's are still breaking in. IMO give it some time and if it doesn't improve then bring it up with the dealer.

RuthleSSchevy · 03-02-2017, 03:25 PM

Go to your dealership and try another car. If its a noticable difference claim warranty. I remember the shifter feel on mine was excellent from day one thru all gears, break in will get better but still doubtful will solve completely. I hate warranty work and avoid unqualifieds ripping into my vehicles so i look at it as what can i live with or solve

pjz1082 · 03-08-2017, 03:42 PM

This is my first manual transmission vehicle and it has taken a long time to get used too. To me, it's way more touchy than others I have driven. Shifts/clutch released have to be right in the sweet spot or it will buck like crazy. After a full year it is finally becoming a little easier. I also would suggest the palm method from 2-3. Between 3rd & 4th is the normal resting spot for the gear box so let it slip out of 2nd and then push with your palm straight up to 3rd. It takes time...and lots of practice.

steviewonder · 03-09-2017, 10:03 AM

As the others have said, the position of your hand on the stick will change the direction you are guiding it. Palm placement and applying force instead of guiding the stick has a lot to do with missing shifts.

SaphfireSS · 06-25-2017, 02:35 PM

I too have the exact same issue in my 6th gen 1LE. And I have to remember to let the shifter just glide itself into third. It's almost like if you let go of the shifter then put it in third it will go right in. But you can't force it into third. Weird. Really weird.

02-17-2017, 05:53 AM	#1
80sMetalDude Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: . Posts: 508	Difficulty Engaging 3rd Gear 1LE I admit to being away from driving a stick for like 20 years. Driving the 1LE for a couple weeks now and everything is fine when casually driving. Try to hit it and take off... 1st (fine) , 2nd (fine), each and every time I cannot find/engage 3rd gear like the stick won't slip into the spot...and ultimately find 5th gear in desperation. And it's always 3rd gear I have the difficulty with. Starting to feel tarded...

02-17-2017, 08:00 AM	#3
SS 1LE マスタング = 遅い Drives: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 7,061	I haven't had this problem with mine. But have you tried "palming" the shift to third? That works well for many...the newer 6/7 speed manuals have a narrower gate than the older 4/5 speeds and such. __________________

02-23-2017, 02:21 PM	#4
MatthewAMEL Drives: 2023 CT5 Blackwing, 2025 C8 Z07 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Denver Posts: 1,624	I was having the same issue with 2nd-3rd shift. I started to realize it was me when the problem happened at low speed, high speed, low rpm, etc... __________________ 2017 HBM SS 1LE Sold 2023 Wave Metallic CT5-V Blackwing M6 2025 Hysteria Purple C8 Z07

02-23-2017, 02:43 PM	#5
SSDan Drives: 2016 1SS 6MT NPP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Murray, SC Posts: 2,261 View My Garage	I use an open hand and place my palm on the back of the shifter knob a little off center (towards my right leg) and just shove it straight up. It gates into third - no problems. Now if I forget and wrap my fingers around the top of the shifter and try to quickly steer it from second to third - that leads to problems and a missed gear. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS Hyper Blue 6MT NPP 2010 Camaro 2SS Cam/Headers/CAI/3.91 gears 476 rwhp/440 rwtq (sold)

03-02-2017, 02:44 PM	#6
Ryephile Hot Dog Drives: '17 1SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,937	Hmm I haven't had a 3rd gear problem like you describe. Mine refuses to go into 2nd when the trans fluid is super cold (ambient <40°F), as in if I tried any harder, even with a double-clutch, it would bend something. Last weekend I swapped in AMSoil Manual Syncromesh and now it actually goes into 2nd when it's cold out. On the stock trans fluid, 2nd was fine once it warmed up a bit, only stone cold did it struggle. Now with the AMSoil it's good all the time. I've been running the AMSoil in most of my track car tranny's for about a decade now so it's more than anecdotally proven itself as quality. It's also possible the syncro's are still breaking in. IMO give it some time and if it doesn't improve then bring it up with the dealer. __________________ 2017 "M1SS1LE" in Hyper Blue w/PDR

03-02-2017, 03:25 PM	#7
RuthleSSchevy Drives: 2016Camaro+1968Chevelle+1954BelAir Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH Posts: 149	Go to your dealership and try another car. If its a noticable difference claim warranty. I remember the shifter feel on mine was excellent from day one thru all gears, break in will get better but still doubtful will solve completely. I hate warranty work and avoid unqualifieds ripping into my vehicles so i look at it as what can i live with or solve __________________ "Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way." GGSP

03-08-2017, 03:42 PM	#8
pjz1082 Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 648	This is my first manual transmission vehicle and it has taken a long time to get used too. To me, it's way more touchy than others I have driven. Shifts/clutch released have to be right in the sweet spot or it will buck like crazy. After a full year it is finally becoming a little easier. I also would suggest the palm method from 2-3. Between 3rd & 4th is the normal resting spot for the gear box so let it slip out of 2nd and then push with your palm straight up to 3rd. It takes time...and lots of practice.

03-09-2017, 10:03 AM	#9
steviewonder Drives: wrx Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: East Coast Posts: 3	As the others have said, the position of your hand on the stick will change the direction you are guiding it. Palm placement and applying force instead of guiding the stick has a lot to do with missing shifts.

06-25-2017, 02:35 PM	#10
SaphfireSS Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE SS Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: In my driveway or on the track. Lol Posts: 257	I too have the exact same issue in my 6th gen 1LE. And I have to remember to let the shifter just glide itself into third. It's almost like if you let go of the shifter then put it in third it will go right in. But you can't force it into third. Weird. Really weird.

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