Keep Shifting into 3rd By Accident - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mack1212 · 08-23-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solo40oz

Maybe you have real short arms like this and you can't reach 3rd gear?

nice...great movie quote, good execution on the reference!

larryt1026 · 08-23-2010, 09:53 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I will look into it tomorrow to see if I can shift to 3rd. I'll try using my palm to upshift. I'm really hoping its not a car issue and also hoping that I didn't mess it up downshifting to 1st gear. Everyone has been saying how bad that is for the car when you're breaking it in. Like many of you, I love this car and I want to keep it forever!!

Kurushio · 08-24-2010, 12:34 AM

Even while parked you could just try putting it in 2nd and then switch it to third. Really it should almost pop out of second and with your palm going up catch into third with almost no problems. Im still getting used to the 6th gear and also make sure its far to the right as possible to avoid 4th lol. Hasnt happened yet but never know.

TaylorRyanSS · 08-24-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspers2SSRS

.........or you could put it in M like I do and use the steering wheel paddle buttons. The computer won't let you shift into the wrong gear. Of course you'll have to trade up to the A6..........lol

some upgrade that is lol

I never have a problem shifting so maybe something is wrong with the car... or you

haha

Coldpants · 08-24-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAdams

Don't worry too much Larry, maybe you just had a brain-f@rt-day. I've had times when I've tried to start from a dead stop in 3rd. It won't happen for several months, but once it happens, I'll do it 4 or 5 times more times during the same week. Try not to dwell on making shifting mistakes because that sometimes makes things worse due to over-thinking.

Also, I think sterlingnotes was right to mention the centering spring. I had a shifter years ago that would center between 3rd & 4th as expected when it was cold. After a long drive, it would wallow between 1st & 2nd. It's easy to see if that's the issue, while keeping your foot on the clutch just run through all the gears, go back to 1st, then release in neutral while you are at a dead stop. Note if there is any difference in the shifter location between cold & warmed up.

I was gonna say the Camaro will start off in 3rd all day long. But I see you don't have one. You have the mutt horse car. Pitty.

Hwystr · 08-24-2010, 05:38 AM

The stock shifters in these cars are kinda mushy, i went with the MGW short throw. You don't have to guide it when going from 2-3 just push forward, now that I have the springs broken in it's super smooth and i've never missed a shift. Definitely a great mod that i would recommend to anyone.

autobotaz · 08-24-2010, 08:17 AM

I put in a Barton short throw shifter and had to remove the centering springs to get the stock shifter out. I elected not to put the centering springs back in and I think that on top of the Barton shifter it makes going through the gears way easier and faster. Getting over to 5th gear is effortless now. The Barton shifter and the MRT 2.0 exhaust are the two best upgrades I have done.

larryt1026 · 08-24-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autobotaz

I put in a Barton short throw shifter and had to remove the centering springs to get the stock shifter out. I elected not to put the centering springs back in and I think that on top of the Barton shifter it makes going through the gears way easier and faster. Getting over to 5th gear is effortless now. The Barton shifter and the MRT 2.0 exhaust are the two best upgrades I have done.

+1
I think I'm gonna go with the Barton as well. Mechanically speaking, does anyone know if what I've done can cause a lot of damage or what parts I've damaged by doing what I did? I feel like the clutch would be one of those damaged...

autobotaz · 08-24-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryt1026

+1
I think I'm gonna go with the Barton as well. Mechanically speaking, does anyone know if what I've done can cause a lot of damage or what parts I've damaged by doing what I did? I feel like the clutch would be one of those damaged...

Hard to say but I think it will be fine. Just really be carefull from now on and and if you think that it is not just operator error take it in and have the dealer check it out.

larryt1026 · 08-24-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterCamaro69

Your downshifts didn't hurt anything as long as you didn't red line the tach.

Do you grip the shifter like you're shaking a mans hand? Like, firm?

I don't think I redlined...I was pretty nervous when I heard the engine ROAR so I didn't pay attention to the tachometer. All I know is that I shift to 3rd at arouund 2500-3000 rpm and by shifting it into 1st by accident I don't think it would be enough to redline the car..I don't know if I'm doing the math right though. If I'm wrong someone let me know. All I know is, I did this about 8 times..and I've been extremely worried about my Camaro.

RAdams · 08-24-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldpants

I was gonna say the Camaro will start off in 3rd all day long. But I see you don't have one. You have the mutt horse car. Pitty.

LOL, sorry, I have no interest in playing Us vs. Them. I came to this thread hoping to offer something helpful to the OP.

600hp-lpe · 08-24-2010, 10:13 AM

get an aftermarket shifter... missed shifts will never happen again.

eggydoo · 08-24-2010, 10:46 AM

Is this something different for v6's?
I can't even shift into 1st from 2nd unless I forcefully try to jam it into 1st.

Previous manual cars were the same....

Russell James · 08-24-2010, 11:01 AM

If you were at redline in 2nd and then went to 1st, then I'd think something is probably damaged. Generally valves and pushrods (on a pushrod motor) take the beating when that happens.

But it sounds like you weren't screaming 2nd, so shouldn't be any problems. If there were a problem, it would be missing and would set a check engine light. If it still idles and accelerates smooth, and no check engine light... should be fine.

There is nothing wrong with down shifting a new car. Another one of those over blown internet myths. I've downshifted, and just driven normally, every new car (manual trans) I've ever bought and nothing bad ever happened.

Cars these days just aren't that fragile. Some actually beat the ever living hell out of new cars... and nothing bad happens then either.

If the shifter still centers between 3rd and 4th, should be OK. Do an open palm push from 2 to 3 with just a very brief hesitation to let it center, if it goes to 3rd ok doing that, it should be fine. If it still goes to first doing that open palm push shift, I'd have it checked out.

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08-23-2010, 09:53 PM	#16
larryt1026 Drives: 2011 Camaro LT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 575	Thanks for all the advice everyone! I will look into it tomorrow to see if I can shift to 3rd. I'll try using my palm to upshift. I'm really hoping its not a car issue and also hoping that I didn't mess it up downshifting to 1st gear. Everyone has been saying how bad that is for the car when you're breaking it in. Like many of you, I love this car and I want to keep it forever!!

08-24-2010, 12:34 AM	#17
Kurushio Drives: 2011 CGM 1LT RS (M6) Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 703	Even while parked you could just try putting it in 2nd and then switch it to third. Really it should almost pop out of second and with your palm going up catch into third with almost no problems. Im still getting used to the 6th gear and also make sure its far to the right as possible to avoid 4th lol. Hasnt happened yet but never know.

08-24-2010, 05:38 AM	#20
Hwystr GM Millwright Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS M6, Lingenfelter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 62	The stock shifters in these cars are kinda mushy, i went with the MGW short throw. You don't have to guide it when going from 2-3 just push forward, now that I have the springs broken in it's super smooth and i've never missed a shift. Definitely a great mod that i would recommend to anyone.

08-24-2010, 08:17 AM	#21
autobotaz Drives: Black 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 173	I put in a Barton short throw shifter and had to remove the centering springs to get the stock shifter out. I elected not to put the centering springs back in and I think that on top of the Barton shifter it makes going through the gears way easier and faster. Getting over to 5th gear is effortless now. The Barton shifter and the MRT 2.0 exhaust are the two best upgrades I have done.

08-24-2010, 10:13 AM	#26
600hp-lpe Drives: 2010 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NH Posts: 4,788	get an aftermarket shifter... missed shifts will never happen again.

08-24-2010, 10:46 AM	#27
eggydoo Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 629	Is this something different for v6's? I can't even shift into 1st from 2nd unless I forcefully try to jam it into 1st. Previous manual cars were the same....

08-24-2010, 11:01 AM	#28
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	If you were at redline in 2nd and then went to 1st, then I'd think something is probably damaged. Generally valves and pushrods (on a pushrod motor) take the beating when that happens. But it sounds like you weren't screaming 2nd, so shouldn't be any problems. If there were a problem, it would be missing and would set a check engine light. If it still idles and accelerates smooth, and no check engine light... should be fine. There is nothing wrong with down shifting a new car. Another one of those over blown internet myths. I've downshifted, and just driven normally, every new car (manual trans) I've ever bought and nothing bad ever happened. Cars these days just aren't that fragile. Some actually beat the ever living hell out of new cars... and nothing bad happens then either. If the shifter still centers between 3rd and 4th, should be OK. Do an open palm push from 2 to 3 with just a very brief hesitation to let it center, if it goes to 3rd ok doing that, it should be fine. If it still goes to first doing that open palm push shift, I'd have it checked out.