manual transmission shifter too far away?
#1
manual transmission shifter too far away?
I'm 6'1'' and have the seat all the way back when I drive. I have fairly long limbs but the shifter feels too far away. Especially, throwing it into 5th seems like a huge reach. I never felt this way with previous Hondas I've owned (99 Civic SI and 06 AccordV6-6 spd).
Any other tall drivers feel this way?
Any other tall drivers feel this way?
#7
I find the location of the 2G Fit shifter is a little odd but I got used to it pretty fast. It did feel funny for the first few times I drove the car though.
It's not a Honda thing either. My daily driver is an '07 Accord EX with a 5MT.
I'm similar in size to the original poster.
It's not a Honda thing either. My daily driver is an '07 Accord EX with a 5MT.
I'm similar in size to the original poster.
#10
I'm 5'9". With my seat positioned in a way that is comfortable and with the steering wheel telescoped all the way out (maybe I have freakishly long legs?) I still wish the shifter was an inch or two closer, not to mention the dash audio and HVAC controls. Fifth gear just seems so far away, but I'll manage. I can't imagine being 6'1, but then again you'd have longer arms to reach the shifter.
#11
I guess I'm lucky because I'm 5'4" and the shifter is perfectly located for me. I just rest my arm on the arm rest and shifting is smooth and easy. My brother is 6'4" and he drives my Fit sometimes. He loves the manual shifter and hasn't complained about the position, but I also think he has long arms!
#12
May as well just use this:
eBay Motors: 1122) Hurst Shifter Stick 16.5 inch long Hurst # 4331 (item 360095831666 end time Dec-06-08 09:33:06 PST)
Just have to modify it a little and you would be fine.
eBay Motors: 1122) Hurst Shifter Stick 16.5 inch long Hurst # 4331 (item 360095831666 end time Dec-06-08 09:33:06 PST)
Just have to modify it a little and you would be fine.
Last edited by Goodguy-Fly; 11-25-2008 at 12:56 AM.
#13
It may or may not be an issue of proper seating position...
As a test try this:
of course you feet position is important, you should be able to put your foot under the pedals (near the firewall) and have a slight bend to the knees still, next you should have the seat as upright as comfortably possible, you should be able to drape your wrists over the top of the steering wheel without moving your shoulders off the seat. Too many times I have found people with seat so reclined they have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.
If you pass the seating test and still can't reach the shifter than it may not be the car for you. I am 6' to 6'1 and find with proper seating position that everything is quite comfortably within reach...except occasionally hitting the heater control when reaching for the shifter....
As a test try this:
of course you feet position is important, you should be able to put your foot under the pedals (near the firewall) and have a slight bend to the knees still, next you should have the seat as upright as comfortably possible, you should be able to drape your wrists over the top of the steering wheel without moving your shoulders off the seat. Too many times I have found people with seat so reclined they have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.
If you pass the seating test and still can't reach the shifter than it may not be the car for you. I am 6' to 6'1 and find with proper seating position that everything is quite comfortably within reach...except occasionally hitting the heater control when reaching for the shifter....
#14
That gave me a good laugh!
You'll have to give it a try and do take pix!
You'll have to give it a try and do take pix!
May as well just use this:
eBay Motors: 1122) Hurst Shifter Stick 16.5 inch long Hurst # 4331 (item 360095831666 end time Dec-06-08 09:33:06 PST)
Just have to modify it a little and you would be fine.
eBay Motors: 1122) Hurst Shifter Stick 16.5 inch long Hurst # 4331 (item 360095831666 end time Dec-06-08 09:33:06 PST)
Just have to modify it a little and you would be fine.
#15
Thanks CRXsi, I'll try this tomorrow!
It may or may not be an issue of proper seating position...
As a test try this:
of course you feet position is important, you should be able to put your foot under the pedals (near the firewall) and have a slight bend to the knees still, next you should have the seat as upright as comfortably possible, you should be able to drape your wrists over the top of the steering wheel without moving your shoulders off the seat. Too many times I have found people with seat so reclined they have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.
If you pass the seating test and still can't reach the shifter than it may not be the car for you. I am 6' to 6'1 and find with proper seating position that everything is quite comfortably within reach...except occasionally hitting the heater control when reaching for the shifter....
As a test try this:
of course you feet position is important, you should be able to put your foot under the pedals (near the firewall) and have a slight bend to the knees still, next you should have the seat as upright as comfortably possible, you should be able to drape your wrists over the top of the steering wheel without moving your shoulders off the seat. Too many times I have found people with seat so reclined they have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.
If you pass the seating test and still can't reach the shifter than it may not be the car for you. I am 6' to 6'1 and find with proper seating position that everything is quite comfortably within reach...except occasionally hitting the heater control when reaching for the shifter....
#16
I've been thinking a lot about the shifter and, when comparing the many other MTs I've had, have come to realize that the 09 Fit stick shift is too low (or the armrest is too high, or both). The knob of the stick shift should be even with or, ideally, just above the armrest. The Fits is a couple inches lower. Compare it with the stick in the Civic or Accord, for example, and you'll see what I mean.
I plan to have mine extended to be even, which would also allow me to install the center console without risk of bumping my elbow on it when shifting.
I'm also interested in a short-throw shifter. What's the T1R mentioned above? I see that Mugen unveiled one at SEMA for the Fit, but I've seen no other details.
Insofar as distance, I'm 6'5" and have the seat all the way back. I actually plan to alter the seat to allow it to go a bit farther back (am having it uninstalled and tracks remounted farther back, plus having the front of the seat cushion rebuilt to provide more thigh support), and am hoping I can still comfortably reach the shifter, radio, etc. I'll post a report once that's done, which should be right after Thanksgiving.
Simmons
I plan to have mine extended to be even, which would also allow me to install the center console without risk of bumping my elbow on it when shifting.
I'm also interested in a short-throw shifter. What's the T1R mentioned above? I see that Mugen unveiled one at SEMA for the Fit, but I've seen no other details.
Insofar as distance, I'm 6'5" and have the seat all the way back. I actually plan to alter the seat to allow it to go a bit farther back (am having it uninstalled and tracks remounted farther back, plus having the front of the seat cushion rebuilt to provide more thigh support), and am hoping I can still comfortably reach the shifter, radio, etc. I'll post a report once that's done, which should be right after Thanksgiving.
Simmons
#18
I agree. It is too low as well as too far. When I'm resting my arm on the armrest, I have to lift my arm to reach down to reach the shift know.
I've been thinking a lot about the shifter and, when comparing the many other MTs I've had, have come to realize that the 09 Fit stick shift is too low (or the armrest is too high, or both). The knob of the stick shift should be even with or, ideally, just above the armrest. The Fits is a couple inches lower. Compare it with the stick in the Civic or Accord, for example, and you'll see what I mean.
I plan to have mine extended to be even, which would also allow me to install the center console without risk of bumping my elbow on it when shifting.
I'm also interested in a short-throw shifter. What's the T1R mentioned above? I see that Mugen unveiled one at SEMA for the Fit, but I've seen no other details.
Insofar as distance, I'm 6'5" and have the seat all the way back. I actually plan to alter the seat to allow it to go a bit farther back (am having it uninstalled and tracks remounted farther back, plus having the front of the seat cushion rebuilt to provide more thigh support), and am hoping I can still comfortably reach the shifter, radio, etc. I'll post a report once that's done, which should be right after Thanksgiving.
Simmons
I plan to have mine extended to be even, which would also allow me to install the center console without risk of bumping my elbow on it when shifting.
I'm also interested in a short-throw shifter. What's the T1R mentioned above? I see that Mugen unveiled one at SEMA for the Fit, but I've seen no other details.
Insofar as distance, I'm 6'5" and have the seat all the way back. I actually plan to alter the seat to allow it to go a bit farther back (am having it uninstalled and tracks remounted farther back, plus having the front of the seat cushion rebuilt to provide more thigh support), and am hoping I can still comfortably reach the shifter, radio, etc. I'll post a report once that's done, which should be right after Thanksgiving.
Simmons
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