[0 STi 5]

I have been driving my car around alot since I got it last week and in the past couple of days I have had a problem downshifting from 3rd to 2nd (i.e. going around a corner into a residential area). It basically feels like I am having to apply to much force to get it into 2nd. I know it does take some pushing to get it into gear but it doesnt feel like it is lining up like the other gears. There is no grinding, it just wont go until I drop really low in speed and RPM. This doesnt happen all the time but I am just wondering if it is normal or should I take it into the dealer to have the syncro checked out.

Thanks

[gte123v]

that is perfectly normal, i believe it's a safety feature. You can get around it if you double clutch when you downshift.

[doublejz]

match rev

[gte123v]

just rev matching won't work, because you would still have the clutch in and rev matching will only get the engine rev up but not the intermediate shaft. So turn shifting into 2nd or 1st will still be hard to do. Basically what you need to do when you are down shifting is, clutch in, move shifter out of gear, clutch out, rev, clutch in, shift into lower gear, clutch out/step on gas and go. Ofcourse, you need to do this pretty quickly.

[JustinH]

Originally Posted by gte123v

just rev matching won't work, because you would still have the clutch in and rev matching will only get the engine rev up but not the intermediate shaft. So turn shifting into 2nd or 1st will still be hard to do. Basically what you need to do when you are down shifting is, clutch in, move shifter out of gear, clutch out, rev, clutch in, shift into lower gear, clutch out/step on gas and go. Ofcourse, you need to do this pretty quickly.

+1 ; i have the same issue with the getting it into 2nd, and if i rev match only it still doesnt work. You gotta double-clutch to get it to slide through like butter.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by gte123v

that is perfectly normal, i believe it's a safety feature. You can get around it if you double clutch when you downshift.

It's not a safety feature. Going from 3rd to 2nd shouldn't be that difficult. I do it all the time, drop from 3rd to 2nd at 60km/h. I just get the RPMs up to 4.5k - 5k before letting out the clutch and it is as smooth as butter.

[Sideoiler]

I usually just blip the go pedal, drops in everytime.

[flytojungho]

downshift from 3rd to 2nd is easy. downshift from 2nd to 1st.. that's another story..

[SoflaSTI]

Originally Posted by doublejz

match rev

[evilSTi7]

yes rev matching should help alot. Also, make sure the transmission is completely warmed up.

[06AspenWhiteSTi]

actually i've noticed that if your really moving and keeping the revs high, you can do it with a simple rev match, but when your driving slow, like the poster said, like in residential areas, you have to double clutch. I dont know if its a safety feature, thats just the way it is. Now shifting from 2nd to 1st, thats a different story.

[Tank]

Yup, what everyone said. This is the hardest car I've ever driven for low speed downshifting. I have to remind myself to double clutch everytime. Also, if the trans is cold, forget about it, you might sprain your wrist.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by Tank

Yup, what everyone said. This is the hardest car I've ever driven for low speed downshifting. I have to remind myself to double clutch everytime. Also, if the trans is cold, forget about it, you might sprain your wrist.

I still don't know why you guys are having so much trouble downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. A few weeks ago it was -12C here. No problems shifting into 2nd or 3rd. 1st is a little stiff until the tranny oil heats up. I'm using OEM tranny oil from Subaru.

[polyol]

I can go into 2nd from 3rd...and 2nd - 1st

[NJSTi05]

Originally Posted by flytojungho

downshift from 2nd to 1st.. that's another story..

isnt that a big no no? when i was learning to drive manual, someone told me that dropping from 2nd to 1st is not good. i've never done it lol