Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

ha. mk5 R32 was my last ride... talk about expensive to mod and to keep running, holy crap.

so i bought a Tacoma lol.

ok actually i bought the taco and avoided the Golf R to slow me down and keep my licence. well, that didn't work either.

 

Yeah it seemed like one problem after another with my GTI, I loved it and had a blast. But, like you, I also wanted to keep my license haha. That car was only fun at illegal speeds! I was lucky to never get a speeding ticket.

Now I'm driving more like a grandpa to get better mileage in my truck.

Since we are on the topic of manual transmissions, does anyone else find it difficult to always get a smooth shift from 1st gear from a dead stop? My GTI was not this tricky haha.

One minute I get a good smooth shift, the next I feel like i'm learning how to drive stick again haha.

 

These trucks like a slower shift from 1st to 2nd, try slowing the shift down a little during normal driving, and see if you notice a difference. If you launch the truck hard and hold 1st into higher rpms you can shift it quicker.

 

i used to say that, and i guess i still do for new owners. but i've figured out how to do a very smooth and very fast 1 to 2. the trick for me is my Pedal Commander that allows me to catch a ton of giddyup in 2nd as i release the clutch into 2nd. before the PC i couldn't access the torque in 2nd off clutch release and the front end would dive and it was a rough transition. now i release the clutch into 2nd and the thing literally surges forward, and it's a smooth and fast shift. no shift kit either. i do find that taking 1st up to VVT (what, about 3500rpm?) spins up the flywheel and gives you alot more energy to access when you release the clutch.

 

My issue isn't 1st to 2nd so much as it is from stopped to moving in 1st haha. I feel embarrassed even saying but I've only had it a few weeks and still getting the hang of it. But for some reason getting moving in 1st is sometimes smooth or very jerky. It seems like you need to ride the clutch more than my GTI to get a smooth start. Going slower is easier but isnt realistic all the time.

 

I haven't driven a 3rd gen yet, but I have heard people talk about that issue. Power shifting into second isn't an issue on the 2nd gens.

 

There is definitely a sweet spot to get a smooth start. Listen for your throw out bearing chirping when at idle, the TOBs tend to go bad and can wear grooves into the aluminum gearbox case, which can cause jerky clutch engagement.

 

Are there any videos handy that I can compare idle noises to? The truck only has 14,000 miles on it so I would hope the bearing is fine.

 

Yes sir.

 

Had a odd one this morning. Left for work. Was at a light waiting to turn green. When it did, I went go in first. Wouldnt go, tried second. Nope. Thought I might have possibly gone to far as the detent for reverse. Wiggled stick. 1st and 2nd nope. Had to take off in 3rd. Was embarrassing to say the least. After work. No issues.

 

Yikes! Easy on that clutch
When mine was new it could be a bitch at times.. Usually the old shift to neutral, clutch out, clutch in, back to the gear I wanted trick worked.

 

Another easy trick is to press it into Second and slowly let the clutch out until it engages. Once this clutch hits a certain point the synchro cogs will tick over enough for it to engage the gear. Since it's a taller gear it won't squawk at you like First can, but it's still short enough to take off in.

 

I had this happen a handful of times when mine was new. Hasn't happened again in 25000 miles. Not sure what caused it but breaking it in seemed to cure it.

 

Anybody regret buying a manual taco?

 

If yes please leave this thread...

 

If no, post away...

 

Serious?

 

Where's the door?

 

Groovy, cuz i have none

 

Back to the question tho, i think you'd be hard pressed to find one with regrets...perhaps easier to find a MT Taco for sale