Well, I finally took the plunge and got my Cayman. I decided to go with the 5-speed and am definitely loving it, but I do have two quick questions.
First and my primary concern is the fact I have trouble getting into first occasionally. I searched and saw that this was normal at speeds about 6-8 mph or mroe, but I occasionally have the problem when I am stopped (although not very often). A lot of times it shifts right into first just fine, but sometimes it takes some force to get it into gear even though the clutch is all the way in. Should I get this checked out or is it fairly normal to happen occasionally?
My other question is about leaving the car in gear when I park it. If I'm on a hill, I'll obviously pull the parking brake, but I usually leave it in first or reverse when I shut the car off. Will this damage the transmission?
Thanks!
Congratulations!
I've got the 5-speed. I've never had a problem putting it into 1st gear . . . even at 15+ mph.
I always leave my car in reverse. IMHO it's not going to hurt the transmission.
You're not the only one with the first gear problem. I have a 5-speed and have had he problem from day one. It gets better over time - now (4100+ miles) it's pretty infrequent. Will it go away with time? DO't know but will have it looked into when I get my oil change at 5000.
As for putting the car into gear - I read somewhere (here or in the manual??) that it's recommended.
One tip I learned from my Land Rover group - especially when on a slope, first engage the parking brake, then let out the clutch and let the car settle on to the brake, THEN engage first or reverse. This way, the parking brake is taking the weight of the car and the transmission is only a backup. This eliminates the stress on the whole drive train. This is true for Tips also but in this case you're relieving the stress on the "Park" pin which locks the transmission.
i've also experienced difficulty in shifting into first on occasion (very infrequently). i too have a 5-speed. i simply shift it into second and try to put it into first again. sometimes i have to do this a few times before it'll get into first.
i agree with both of these - i always park my car in gear, especially on hills (we have some hills in SF *smile*) although i do not know if it is possible to do damage by doing so. will be interesting to see.
also - i have never had a problem with 1st, and i also have a 5 speed. was playing with it the other day actually as some people on the forum seem to have consistent issues with it. mine is very smooth - makes me rethink installing a short shifter, but *shrug* there is no harm taking it in to be looked at - may be a clutch plate issue (???)
I also noticed this on my 5 speed at first. Now with 12,000 miles I can't remember the last time it hung. My experience is that it gets better over time.
Ok, glad to know I'm not the only one. I have about 4,000 miles on it at the moment and I have noticed it gets better.
One last quick off-topic question. I'm looking at exhaust kits and it seems like the Fabspeed is the most common/best. I'm not doing anything for a few months, but I was wondering what kind of effect it would have on my warranty? I remember from previous cars that it depended on the dealer, some were mod friendly, some weren't. I do understand that Porsche won't cover the system itself, but what about the rest of the components? Could they come back and say they won't service another part and try to accuse the exhaust system? What about the intake? (Was looking at EVO)
Am I being "punked"....you five people actually have 5 speed manual transmissions? Well did I ever get lucky, my CS has a 6 speed manual transmission! (LOL).
Regards,
Joe
Hello bOrked,
Thanks for explaining; if I wasn't so busy being a joker I probably should have figured that out!
I have one suggestion though; I discovered by accident that by re-routing the left side (driver's side in the U.S.) shift cable that goes over the manifold to clear my just installed IPD plenum that my shifting into first actually got smoother. I do have the factory sport shifter but my point to you is that there is obviously an ultimate position for the gear actuation cables that will result in the best action.
I also got a very large wire tie, the kind used by HVAC technicians to fasten flexible ducting and cinched the two shift cable together as far aft as possible before the cables depart each other to go left and right. I believe that this added stability to the shift cables improved the action as well.
I hope you try it and see if it makes an improvement!
Regards,
Joe
