Manual transmisson 5th gear issue...now with video - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bobby35ny · 06-18-2014, 02:11 PM

updated with video

When I'm driving in 5th gear, lets say 40mph the shifter shakes and rattles, almost feels like a bad syncro or something.
This only occurs in 5th gear.

Car is at the dealer and of course they are telling me its normal.

Anyone else have this issue or is it normal?
My 2010 did not have this issue.

-Bobby

gm_joe · 06-18-2014, 02:47 PM

5th gear, 40mph seems a bit too slow. The owners manual specifically says not to let the engine begin to lug in any gear. I think you just need to keep the rpm's up a little. I usually try to stay above 1500 to 1800 rpm when cruising.

HDRDTD · 06-18-2014, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobby35ny

When I'm driving in 5th gear, lets say 40mph the shifter shakes and rattles, almost feels like a bad syncro or something.
This only occurs in 5th gear.

Car is at the dealer and of course they are telling me its normal.

Anyone else have this issue or is it normal?
My 2010 did not have this issue.

-Bobby

And I'll bet it's do it at 40mph in 6th gear as well.
At 40mph, you should be able to be in 5th and accelerate, but to cruise at 40 in 5th is lugging the engine a bit. Drop it to 4th.

Drumminxx · 06-18-2014, 03:19 PM

I can feel some vibration in the shifter but not so much that it concerns me and I can cruise in 5th at 40 with no problem. My issue is trying to navigate a parking lot in 1st without it lugging but our cars are geared different in the rear....

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Emvici · 06-18-2014, 03:49 PM

I drive with my car in 5th & 6th 42 - 45 mph and just simply coasting down a street with absolutely no issues, I have been doing it since day 1. The engine is probably at about 1300 rpms and it does not lug it at all. Of course I am not on the gas much if any, I could, but don't accelerate from either of those gears, I simple coast along getting 17 mpg on some open urban streets.

Coupe · 06-18-2014, 04:18 PM

I have used 5th gear at 40 mph with no issues. Basically, repeat what Emvici said above.

deahl001 · 06-18-2014, 04:21 PM

I regularly use 5th gear from 40-50 mph with no issues... That being said, 40 is basically the bottom end of 5th.

CamaroTom · 06-18-2014, 04:29 PM

If you are using more than 20% or so throttle in 5th gear going 40mph you will experience lugging. There's probably nothing wrong with your car.

bobby35ny · 06-18-2014, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

And I'll bet it's do it at 40mph in 6th gear as well.
At 40mph, you should be able to be in 5th and accelerate, but to cruise at 40 in 5th is lugging the engine a bit. Drop it to 4th.

That's just it, To get out of the rattle I put it into 6th and no issues.

Understand, its not a lugging shake rattle, its more like a syncro rattle.
-bobby

DarthZL1 · 06-18-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LEMayhem

If you are using more than 20% or so throttle in 5th gear going 40mph you will experience lugging. There's probably nothing wrong with your car.

What he said. Go to 4th, shift up when you get to 50, see if it's still happening.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

bobby35ny · 06-19-2014, 05:07 PM

After getting tired of the dealer techs telling me its "Normal" I went there today and insisted that someone else higher in the food chain drive the car. They had the shop foreman drive the car with me and FINALLY he agrees with me. They still have the car and he told me he would call engineering tomorrow and be guided by what they say.
-Bobby

jessrayo · 06-19-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobby35ny

After getting tired of the dealer techs telling me its "Normal" I went there today and insisted that someone else higher in the food chain drive the car. They had the shop foreman drive the car with me and FINALLY he agrees with me. They still have the car and he told me he would call engineering tomorrow and be guided by what they say.
-Bobby

Sounds like you are getting it worked out but I was going to say I didn't think it was normal. Don't know how many ZL1's you dealer has but I would say make them drive another new car and show him the trans is not shaking in 5th. Good luck.

ZL12013 · 06-19-2014, 07:34 PM

My car doesn't see 5th unless I'm on the highway, I usually don't get in 6th unless I'm going over 60. When doing a quarter mile I usually don't get to 4th until I hit the finish, these cars are made to be driven slightly aggressive.

CJ1034 · 06-20-2014, 11:47 AM

5th gear is for shifting from 155 mph to let the engine have a break!

5th at 40, must be trying to save gas, buy an econobox.

06-18-2014, 03:19 PM	#4
Drumminxx Drives: 2014 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 656 View My Garage	I can feel some vibration in the shifter but not so much that it concerns me and I can cruise in 5th at 40 with no problem. My issue is trying to navigate a parking lot in 1st without it lugging but our cars are geared different in the rear.... Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk __________________ Nice car bro!

06-18-2014, 04:18 PM	#6
Coupe Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 20	I have used 5th gear at 40 mph with no issues. Basically, repeat what Emvici said above. __________________ Coupe 2014 Camaro ZL1, Red Hot, M6, Bright Aluminum Wheels.

06-18-2014, 04:21 PM	#7
deahl001 Drives: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 CRT M6 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 103	I regularly use 5th gear from 40-50 mph with no issues... That being said, 40 is basically the bottom end of 5th. __________________ 2013 Camaro ZL1 - CRT M6 ECF

06-18-2014, 04:29 PM	#8
CamaroTom Drives: 1/70 2013 BRM 2SS RS 1LE NPP NAV Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Parrish, Florida Posts: 1,082	If you are using more than 20% or so throttle in 5th gear going 40mph you will experience lugging. There's probably nothing wrong with your car. __________________

06-19-2014, 05:07 PM	#11
bobby35ny Drives: 18 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South East, FL Posts: 3,024	After getting tired of the dealer techs telling me its "Normal" I went there today and insisted that someone else higher in the food chain drive the car. They had the shop foreman drive the car with me and FINALLY he agrees with me. They still have the car and he told me he would call engineering tomorrow and be guided by what they say. -Bobby __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6 ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

06-18-2014, 02:47 PM	#2
gm_joe Drives: 2002 Pontiac GP 40th GTP, 2012 ZL-1 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: CT Posts: 172 View My Garage	5th gear, 40mph seems a bit too slow. The owners manual specifically says not to let the engine begin to lug in any gear. I think you just need to keep the rpm's up a little. I usually try to stay above 1500 to 1800 rpm when cruising.

06-18-2014, 03:49 PM	#5
Emvici Drives: 2014 ZL1 White Convertible Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: St Pete Fl Posts: 682	I drive with my car in 5th & 6th 42 - 45 mph and just simply coasting down a street with absolutely no issues, I have been doing it since day 1. The engine is probably at about 1300 rpms and it does not lug it at all. Of course I am not on the gas much if any, I could, but don't accelerate from either of those gears, I simple coast along getting 17 mpg on some open urban streets.

06-19-2014, 07:34 PM	#13
ZL12013 Drives: 2013 ZL1 & 2005 F150 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Saint Louis Mo Posts: 134	My car doesn't see 5th unless I'm on the highway, I usually don't get in 6th unless I'm going over 60. When doing a quarter mile I usually don't get to 4th until I hit the finish, these cars are made to be driven slightly aggressive. __________________ Last edited by ZL12013; 06-19-2014 at 09:48 PM.

06-20-2014, 11:47 AM	#14
CJ1034 Drives: 2012 ZL1 IOM Manual Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northville, Michigan Posts: 85 View My Garage	5th gear is for shifting from 155 mph to let the engine have a break! 5th at 40, must be trying to save gas, buy an econobox.