Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I don't know if I'm posting in the right place or not but here it goes. I've just purchased a 2004 crossfire with only 51,000 miles. What a sharp looking car. I love it! I do have a question about shifting gears. If I wind out first into second, or second into third it's almost like downshifting. It's as though I'm going too fast in first to go into second or to fast in second to go into third. Is that normal? If I wind out first and go into third or wind out second and go into fourth it's much better. Am I doing something wrong? Should I keep the rpm's up when I shift by not taking my foot off of the accelerator? I hope this makes sense to someone.

 

well, not to me, since I have an auto...I am sure someone with a stick will answer your question...I just want to welcome you aboard....now in my "big trucks" if you wind out too far, it is harder to shift, and I have heard on here that second can be a problem...but I will leave that to the pros...welcome

 

Where's that Franc guy (Roadster with a stick) when you need him???

HEY TMG WELCOME to the forum!!!

Party time!
Glad you found us. Great group of folks ready to help ya out.
Take some time and look around, lots of information here for ya.
"See" ya on the forum!

 

I have an 06 Roadster with the 6MT. I'm in my 60's and am a fairly "sedate" driver. But I have noticed that there seems to be, at least on my car, a definite sweet spot in the first 3 or 4 gears. If I shift between 3500-4000RPM then the shifts from start up through 4th gear are pretty smooth. If I shift at lower engine speeds, like 2500 then it isn't as smooth and you can almost feel more meshing effort inside the trans. My prior car was a Mini Cooper S and it felt the same. Maybe it's me? Also, I think there have been other comments here that the first 3 gears are low and close together so you run out of revs in a hurry.

Anybody else notice that engine speed makes a difference?

 

Engine speed always makes a difference, because the goal should be to match the engine rpm with the drivetrain rpm. Ideally shifts should be smooth and un-noticeable.

But since we are all closet race car drivers and not chauffeurs, if you are shifting at 5-6,000 rpm expect it to be rougher. As noted, the sweet spot seems to be 2500-3000+ rpm depending upon the gear. Since my MT6 cruises around 2800 rpm at 80, then that's the spot to shift from 5th to 6th when I hit 80. In reality, I'm already in 6th at 45-50 and just gently accelerate from there. In the lower gears I generally upshift around 2000 rpm and it's usually pretty smooth.

 

I usually shift somewhere between 3,000~4,000 rpm, depending on how hard I'm driving. On the track I shift just below 6,000 rpm. I don't notice anything abnormal regardless. If you're really caning the thing you'll run out of 1st and 2nd pretty quickly though.

 

I cant give you an answer I have also have an auto. But congrats. and welcome.

 

Welcome to the site and to ownership of a Crossfire.
You will learn a lot on this forum about your car I assure you.
I also have a autostick so I can't help with your original question.

 

Ditto. When I first got my Crossfire... it did take me awhile to find the best spots to shift. First gear is really short (REALLY short) and I found to go from first to second I was always around 3.5k-4k and it shifted pretty clean. From second to third and up it is between 2.5k-3k. First gear is tricky in the beginning with these Crossfires.

 

Welcome aboard and congratulations on such a fine car. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do ours. If you are an enthusiast, join our Crossfireinternational Car Club. Charter Membership is now open through 1//31/09.

http://www.crossfireinternational.com/

Or go to this thread for more information.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=29623

 

Great place for CROSSFIRE info
And the people here are great too.
Enjoy your new ride !!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey all, thanks for the response. It's a sports car so of course I want to wind it out a little bit. But you're right, I am shifting a lot smoother now that I've driven it for a few days. Maybe the car had to get use to the way I drive. Thanks again, and have a merry Christmas!