Why does first gear seem so weird??

[05king]

SO our new 2014 R-spec when you first take off it just feels weird. The only way I can describe it is it feels like you are slipping the clutch on a manual trans. I am just talking about regular driving and not sticking your foot into it.
I imagine this is normal and maybe something to do with a lazy convertor but thought I would ask???

 

[craigt]

It feels like the programming of the transmission is for smooth launches. All the 0-60 videos I've seen of both the 3.8 and 5.0 appear to have a small hesitation before the engine really gets into it.

My wife's RX350, coincidentally, is the opposite. If you push into the gas, it'll jump.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Yea its a smooth launch nanny. It's interesting because I have smooth launches in my car and then 2nd gear grabs hard and the acceleration kicks in. Odd, indeed.

 

[AgentSmith007]

Yea its a smooth launch nanny. It's interesting because I have smooth launches in my car and then 2nd gear grabs hard and the acceleration kicks in. Odd, indeed.

This is exactly the case with my 2011 4.6. If I start driving on auto there little hesitation from 1st to 2nd gear and from 2nd gear car picks up.

That's why when I need very fast acceleration from the stop I put stick to manual and shift to 2nd gear and start driving on manual from the 2nd gear, and when all cars are left behind me I switch to auto.

 

[xiaphin]

Same for my 2010 3.8

 

[OneFunGenesis]

I actually asked a master tech about this. I called it "falling flat on its face" and the master tech said that the car senses that the tires wont grip with that power delivery so the ESC auto kicks in without telling you (surprise surprise) to preserve traction. That is how it was told to me

 

[dareckibmw]

This is exactly the case with my 2011 4.6. If I start driving on auto there little hesitation from 1st to 2nd gear and from 2nd gear car picks up.

That's why when I need very fast acceleration from the stop I put stick to manual and shift to 2nd gear and start driving on manual from the 2nd gear, and when all cars are left behind me I switch to auto.

That's the reason I always start from the 2nd gear. Unless I'm doing WOT!

 

[05king]

I am not talking full throttle just very easy start off like 20% throttle. It just seems like the convertor is slipping then like some of you said it shifts to second and goes! Never experienced that before. Its almost like driving a hot rod with a 4500 stall convertor

 

[dmitriylm]

Is this happening to you guys whether the car is cold or hot? When my car is up to temp it drives very smoothly, shifts smoothly and I don't feel any slip or sluggishness. The only condition that offers less than ideal shift behavior is when I leave the house and start the car cold in the morning. I live on a decent incline so when I start the car in the morning and proceed up the hill the 1-2 shift is bit long/rough but this is because the engine/transmission are cold and the engine is trying to maintain higher rpm's. Shifts after a cold start on a level surface aren't nearly as noticeable and in either scenario the car drives great after a few minutes of driving.

 

[05king]

My situation is always there. Its not between shifts for me its only when you start moving in first gear. It seriously sounds like a driver that cant drive a clutch and has too many rpms and the clutch is slipping and the car is barely moving

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[FastDEW1]

I never noticed this in my 14 R-Spec. Except if I am on a hill and starting out, then I notice it if I am just tipping into the throttle. I think it is just how they have the converter set up. I never notice it on flat ground. And even on a hill, where I do notice it, with tipping throttle, if I boot the throttle it takes off fast.

I do not get the idea of starting in second gear with these cars. I can dig very deep into the throttle and do a really aggressive launch and not spin the tires. In order to spin, I need to just drop the hammer to the floor immediately. But if I push hard and launch hard and then by 20MPH (which is almost immediate on a really aggressive launch), I can be full throttle all the way. Not sure how messing around with the manual gates buys me anything really. In fact, I never use the manual shift on this car unless I am going down a grade and just want a little engine holdback..... otherwise its useless to me.

 

[AgentSmith007]

Is this happening to you guys whether the car is cold or hot?

In my case it is happening when I start driving fast from the stop and want to accelerate very quickly and engine is hot. I don't do fast starts with cold engine.

 

[dmitriylm]

In my case it is happening when I start driving fast from the stop and want to accelerate very quickly and engine is hot. I don't do fast starts with cold engine.

I generally start the car, give it 20-30 seconds between getting my seat belt on, getting rid of the navigation warning, clearing windows, etc and then I'm off but I drive slowly and try to keep revs under 3k until the car is sufficiently warm. With modern cars you don't particularly need to let them idle for long periods of time outside of severe low temperatures.

 

[craigt]

I experience the same as dmitriylm. When cold, the car is a little jerky. But once warmed up it, and I quote my wife, "drives like butter".

Take it to the dealer and take the tech for a ride. It doesn't sound normal.

 

[xiaphin]

My situation is always there. Its not between shifts for me its only when you start moving in first gear. It seriously sounds like a driver that cant drive a clutch and has too many rpms and the clutch is slipping and the car is barely moving

Like stated before I have noticed this as well. Doesn't seem to be as noticeable once it gets to operating temp. Mine seems to be worse when going up a slight incline at minimal throttle, just enough gas to get moving. If I really pay attention I can sense when it is about to shift and keep the RPM's slightly below that point. Can you sense when it is about to shift rough into second?

I experience the same as dmitriylm. When cold, the car is a little jerky. But once warmed up it, and I quote my wife, "drives like butter".

Take it to the dealer and take the tech for a ride. It doesn't sound normal.

My car has been to the dealer for regular maintenance over the past 3 years and they have never said anything about it. Did mention this to them after purchasing the car. I have just assumed that it was functioning normally.

 

[TheDr9669]

1st gear in my car has been driving me nuts also! I thought it was just me. 1st gear seems soft, and the transition from 1st to 2nd does not match the transition to or from any other gear. I also feel the "surge" once into 2nd gear that was described previous. One thing I have noticed is that on the 1-2 shift, it seems to "flare" a bit. It is especially noticeable under light acceleration. I can reproduce it like clockwork while in "D" and a shift point of ~1800rpm. Does anyone else notice this also? The reason it annoys me is that every other gear change is much more direct without the "flare". I have noticed that when cold, the 1-2 acts more like the other gears.

 

[craigt]

I think we need to clearly make the distinction between the 6 speed and 8 speed auto. They are very different beasts.

 

[05king]

I will take it into the dealer and see what they say

 

[TheDr9669]

I think we need to clearly make the distinction between the 6 speed and 8 speed auto. They are very different beasts.

In my case I have the 6spd ZF transmission.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

6spd ZF as well