[Torque-ative]

My NHC City is 2 years and 32,000 km old (June 06)

Its a great no-nonsense car in all aspects and I have seldom felt the need to worry or complain. However I have had this peculiar problem since day one, which just refuses to go away.

I have had problem engaging 1st and 2nd cogs, all other gears click into place with absolute precision. This is particularly bothersome when I need to rapidly down shift to 2nd for engine braking, or overtaking. The gear meets with resistance,..I try and ease it in gently and it works in a very rough sort of way. Sometimes the stick needs a very forceful hand. All thru this process the feel is very mechanical (only in 1st and 2nd), and feel like something is out of alignment.

There is no grinding noise,...could this be just with the linkages

This has been the case from day one. I thought t would go away after the car has been run-in,.. but no the problem persists.

My worry is that whether this is a sign of bigger problems to come,..or something I need to live with.

Please advise as I have heard only good things about the City's gearbox.

[RedMM340]

You should get it checked up by the dealer before it turns into a bigger problem. Try not to force into gear if there is excessive resistance.

Might be some adjustment to the synchros , or might be low on oil. Regardless, get it checked up ASAP and re-fill with fresh gear oil.

[Torque-ative]

Thanks Red !!

I better get this checked out !!

BTW what do synchro's do. Would help if you could simplify it for dummies !

[iraghava]

Do you depress the clutch fully? Stupid question I know but just checking.

[benbsb29]

Torue-ative, is your car driven only by you, or does someone else from your family, relatively new to driving also drive it?

[GTO - Touring]

Originally Posted by Torque-ative

There is no grinding noise,...could this be just with the linkages

Definitely! My first guess was toward the synchros wearing out, but then you mentioned that the problem has been around since day one. You must get this checked ASAP as the NHC usually comes with a delightful gearbox!

Just to confirm : You aren't trying to downshift / engine brake at too high a speed in too low a gear, right?

[vinit.merchant]

Also, since this is from Day 1, did you mention this during your free service?
I dont know the warranty period for Honda, but if you have mentioned it earlier, then you may claim it under warranty without incurring any expense.

[Path_Finder]

Originally Posted by iraghava

Do you depress the clutch fully? Stupid question I know but just checking.

Valid question only. Higher gears you will not feel resistance with clutch pressed 70-80%, but the lower ones expect fully pressed clutch.

[Torque-ative]

Thank you for your inputs RED, GTO, Ishan, Ben, Vinit, Path Finder !!

I consider myself an above average driver,..and technically that means all the points raised by you (about driving habbits) , are something thats a given with my driving style !!

I would not term myself an agressive driver,..but yes I do enjoy rapid shifts (quick clicks), I could be not pushing the clutch all the way to the floor,..and I might also be shifting too quickly.

I will pay extra attention towards the following and update you all.

-Down shifting / engine braking speeds.
-Completely depressing the clutch.
-Pause for a nano second after drepressing the clutch and shifting.
-Re-look gear lever reach (seating position) I am short at 5.5"

However I never had these issues in my two previous zen's, & my dads sx4 which I used to driving pretty regularly.

I shall first rule out driving variables and then book it in for a thurough technical evaluation at Honda A.S.S. Unfortunatly the warranty has just expired !!

Cheers!
Keeping it real