In my 2010 Fit it seems like the only way I can get a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd is to quickly shift to 2nd as soon as the car begins to roll in 1st. If I wait to shift until speed is up to 15mph it jerks. Comments?

 

the ratios between 1st and 2nd is spaced too far apart and the clutch engages too quickly off the ground.

my opinion. (i own another honda, no such characteristic)


to get a smooth 1-2 just clutch in and out more slowly to get into 2nd. the "action" is definitely different from the other manuals ive owned and/or driven in the past

 

1st to 2nd has always been like this for the fit, its the same for my '07, - i agree that they are spaced a little too far apart. -though i do like that i can have the car in gear in 1st, and be going like .2 mph in traffic, not having to work the clutch the whole time

 

I don't care much about it, but will this "feeling" when shifting translate by prematured transmission break down?

 

just get use to it. i came from a 5spd is300 and that clutch was pretty heavy...although the fit's clutch was harder to be smooth than the is300, after a couple of weeks, you'll get the hang of it. I still shift rough from time to time.

also, it helps if you rev it a little higher in first gear

 

The problem in my opinion isn't dumping the clutch, but that when you move the shifter, it feels notchy (and it's really noisy).

 

no


no here also. sports and exotic cars aside, the fit has one of the best shifters on the market... fairly short and extremely precise throws - no slop

 

apply a slight bit of throttle when you are engaging 2nd. the flywheel needs momentum. dont slip the clutch. there should be no slip into 2nd gear.

shift into 1-2 slow and gentle. engage clutch gently. should be a seamless shift once you get the hang of it.

also, try to wear the same shoes when you drive to have some consistency. once you get the hang of it, you can try other shoes.

GL!

 

Slow shifting to 2nd seems to be the most recommended approach, but is there anything wrong with my method of fast shifting to 2nd as soon as the car is rolling in 1st. It seems like this eliminates the jerk. As I understand 1st gear, it is only to get the car moving. When starting from a stop facing downhill, I usually just put it in 2nd and bypass 1st altogether.

 

it used to be like that for me...until i learned how to drive the car the way i do now. i think it just takes gettin used to, whether you have been driving yours for a month, or even a year. i thought that it might have been a problem earlier, but now i do believe its the driver. also, in my opinion, it is tougher to drive the fit smoothly than many other cars in the 15k to 25k price range. by "smoothly" i mean that there is no jerk or anything goin from gear 1-5 and downshifting from 5-2. i drive plenty of makes and models of manual cars (i work at a dealer), and many seem easier to drive smoothly.
but out of everything i've driven that's under $25k, the fit is definitely my fave still.

 

You risk grinding your synchros if you reengage the clutch too early.