[nighttime]

I have a question about how you guys shift your Preludes. Hopefully you can help me out here. For most (pretty much all) of my driving life ive driven automatics. Not by choice though, and I always wanted a manual transmission car. I learned how to drive a manual a while back in my brothers car, but I never drove one regularly. Anyway, I had enough of the autos and bought a 2001 Honda Prelude (Base, EBP, 5spd) last Saturday and Ive been driving it a lot since then. But I wonder if Im shifting it as well as I could be, because sometimes the transmission feels a little notchy. When I shift, I press the clutch in almost all the way to the floor, maybe an inch off. I dont hear any grinding, but still, is this hurting my transmission? I started pressing the clutch to the floor again tonight, and it does seem to go into gear better. Which way is right? Or do I just have to get used to the car? Thanks in advance.

 

[bronx99]

you just have to get used to the car. Most preludes don't need to have it's clutch pressed all the way. I press mine like 3/5 of the way and still shifts fine.

 

[smoothludey]

I would recommend pushing it all the way down...unless you're in the market for a new clutch...don't worry about the gears so much...those things can take a beating.

 

[nighttime]

Thanks, I do feel better now. I just came from a car that gave me some problems here and there (99 Cougar), and I dont want that to happen to this one. I love it too much! I even got a complement on it already. The guy who details cars in our parking deck loves the color. He said he has detailed a lot of preludes, but none in Electron Blue.

 

[checkmate58]

Hopefully nothings goes bad with your synchros?

--Sam

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With Great Powers Come Great Responsibilities--Never Underestimate the Power of the VTEC

 

[jmcn]

Don't worry about your gears. That's what you warranty's for! hehe. As long as you know how to drive the car well when you bring it in for repair, they'll never know you messed it up yourself by shifting wrong.

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Prelude forum moderator
Prelude FAQ
AIM: jmcn97
'97 Prelude Type-SH

'96 Integra GS-R (R.I.P.)
jmcn.com

 

[nighttime]

jmcn: Don't worry about your gears. That's what you warranty's for! hehe. As long as you know how to drive the car well when you bring it in for repair, they'll never know you messed it up yourself by shifting wrong.

Heh. Warranties are great, arent they.

Im hoping that Honda reliability is working for me right now, and its held up to my re-learning to drive with it. But I think im getting better. But Ill have to get really smooth in two weeks, I plan on taking my Prelude to an Evolution driving school in April. Almost broken in with 374 miles on the clock. Only 626 miles to go...

 

[ahcjar103]

cougar....those are ugly....great choice on the lude!

 

[nighttime]

ahcjar103: cougar....those are ugly....great choice on the lude!

I actually liked my Cougar, mechanical problems aside. Esp. after I put those Energy suspension bushings on it. Cornered great. But the Prelude, now THIS is a car. Seems to corner as flat as the Cougar w/ the new bushings, but I havent been able to push it since its not broken in yet. I like the Prelude *much* better though. Faster (200hp vs. 170hp), lighter, looks great, its my favorite color (blue), and it handles better. Not to mention it should be a lot easier to work on and modify. Once I get this manual shifting thing under control it will only get more fun.

(Hey, Im getting better by the day!)