Is there a problem with shifting from 1st directly to 3rd? There really isn't a problem with my transmission, but sometimes it feels like the transition from 1st to 2nd isn't very smooth or good for my transmission.

 

at what rpm do you usually shift?

 

3k to 3.5k usually

 

hrm...shifting from 1st to 2nd at that rpm shouldn't be too much of a problem (it should be pretty smooth). shifting from 1st to 3rd at 3.5k would more than likely bog the engine down (as you'll be ~1-1.5k rpm in 3rd), so i dono if that's such a good idea. if you're sure that your shifting technique is good, i'd get the car checked out. what year is the car?

 

It's an 04 and I usually only do this in the morning, I guess because it feels like the car isn't fully warmed up yet. So I skip 2nd in the morning.

Yea I usually end up at 1.5k in 3rd, is that bad for my car?

 

spooling @ 1k FTL

 

well most of the streets in my neighborhood have a 30mph limit, anyways i'm really trying to find out if this is bad for my transmission? anyone really know?

 

how does skipping 2nd gear help with the car cope with the cold temperature?

 

skipping a gear isn't bad... other than the motor will bog if you're going too slow when you do it... My tranny takes a little extra effort when it's cold too. But I find if I let the motor idle with the tranny in neutral, and my foot off the clutch for a min before I take off (ie: don't just start it with the clutch in, and drive away), this gets the juices flowing and it shifts normally...

Or just shift slow, put light, smooth, steady pressure on the shifter as you go from first to second, and when the rpms drop enough, pop. It goes right in. Works for me getting into first from a roll as well... 10 or 15 mph isn't much of a problem anymore... You just gotta give the tranny time to catch up. These things aren't like Muncie rock crusher 4-speeds, that let you crash through any gear at almost any rpm.

 

Okay, I usually only do this early in the morning because I find myself having to force it in sometimes. I tend to think that forcing something on my transmission is never a good thing.

After some driving it usually goes away and 2nd is really smooth. Thanks for clearing everything up for me. I just wanted to make sure skipping a gear was ok and I am not damaging anything. Anyways, I'm going to try that technique mentioned and see if it will also work for me.