Transmission Working or Not?

[Gabrielino98]

I recently purchased a new Sonic. I am loving the car very much. It is completely stock, except for the Trifecta tune. But I have a question about the manual transmission in the car. And perhaps other Sonic owners here can help me answer the question.

I have noticed that the transmission is feeling a little 'hard'. There are times when changing gears into reverse or 2nd gear, that it feels a bit rough. And I am referring to the way the shifter moves in the gear box. It doesn't always change gears smoothly. I am beginning to wonder if maybe i have a defective transmission. Or is this just the way all Sonic cars drive?

It is fun driving the car fast. But it can be a bit annoying when I am trying to shift gears quickly, and the stick has trouble moving into the gear(usually 2nd). I am careful to press the clutch all the way down, and move the stick in a straight line.

Would the problem be the transmission or the clutch?

I did let my friend drive the car a while back. Before he put it into reverse, I explained to him how to shift it into reverse properly. But he kind of forced it and i heard an ugly grinding sound. But the rest of the trip he drove ok. I don't think a transmission can get damaged by being forced into gear once or twice, right? Needless to say, I won't be letting friends drive my car anymore.

 

[wy2sl0]

Hi there,

I am on transmission two. The transmissions and synchros in these cars are below average even for the segment. It is not meant to race and you will just have to accept that and be ready to grind every now and then if you are going to push the car hard. The better decision is to just accept it and shift slower.

 

[BradF80]

wy2sl0, there's no way you know that this transmissions and synchros in these cars are below average for the segment. Ford Fiesta/Focus have major transmission issues in the manual and automatic transmissions. The Honda Fit has the same transmission woes as the Sonic. I don't think it's an issue of one particular make over another. My best guess is the tight tolerances and lightweight materials of these new transmissions don't allow room for error like the old heavier duty manual transmissions did.

Gabriel, if it's under the 5/100k miles for the powertrain warranty. Take it in to the dealer and get it taken care of. The clutch is likely not covered under warranty, but for sure the transmission is.

 

[laborsmith]

For this segment? You understand this transmission in all its derivatives is widely used by several European based manufacturers, who basically use them in vehicles that fall clearly within this segment. This is not a GM exclusive transmission.

Laborsmith

 

[Gabrielino98]

My car is only a few months old. I have around 1600 miles on it. So yes, it is covered under the warranty. However, if it's true that these transmissions are kind of prone to having issues, then I think I should probably wait a while longer to take it to the dealer. I would have to replace it again in another year.

Are there any mods that I can do to improve the car? Maybe a new clutch?

 

[Gabrielino98]

Another reason I am afraid to take it to the dealer is, I have heard horror stories about people who leave their cars at the dealer to get serviced, only to discover that it gets damaged by a careless mechanic. (Dented, scratched, loose oil plugs, etc.)

 

[laborsmith]

You already have the upgraded clutch so the only thing I can think other than disassembling the tranny itself to replace plastic parts with metal (and those parts have to be shipped here from Europe) is a limited slip differential, but even then you will need carrier bearings as the oem uses plastic which can not be pressed out without damage.

I will plug the WaveTrac I am using. Very good product since I had it put on about 37,000 miles ago. But there are a few other choices, such as Quaife and think M-TEC.

Laborsmith

 

[wy2sl0]

All I know is from driving my previous 8th gen civic and my friends Mazda 3 that the transmission in the Sonic is really a turd. It is loud, harsh and generally moody.

No reason to get upset and defensive over a fact. If you have driven the other vehicles (the Fit is not the Sonic replacement) in the segment (Golf MQB, Civic, Corolla S, etc.) then your opinion is a little more valid.

 

[laborsmith]

Thank you for putting me in my place. I have not driven any of those and am hard pressed to figure out how a Corolla compares to a Sonic other than both use tires on wheels, and have no intention of ever driving any of those mentioned.

Most intelligent drivers will have no problem shifting the MT, indeed it is one of the more popular manufacturer choices for the European market. Most of the shifting the MT problems reported on this site appear to be related to attempts to quick shift. Most, not all.


Laborsmith

 

[wy2sl0]

Thank you for putting me in my place. I have not driven any of those and am hard pressed to figure out how a Corolla compares to a Sonic other than both use tires on wheels, and have no intention of ever driving any of those mentioned.

Most intelligent drivers will have no problem shifting the MT, indeed it is one of the more popular manufacturer choices for the European market. Most of the shifting the MT problems reported on this site appear to be related to attempts to quick shift. Most, not all.


Laborsmith

Did not mean to be even remotely rude

All I was referring to in my original post was when driving spiritedly. The transmission in the Sonic is more than serviceable for what it was designed to do - point A to point B with high regard for efficiency and low regard for shifting accuracy. If you push it, you will quickly realize what it is - and econobox with some kick.

 

[jgrote]

Somewhere buried in this forum is instructions on how to re-align the shifter. Some have claimed that has helped the 1-2 grind. Some have had luck with better fluid. This is a known issue, and yes, mine does it too. I'm planning on living with it until about 30k miles, (I drive A LOT, so that won't take long) try a better fluid, and make the dealer fix it if that doesn't help. I just remember that it's no rice rocket. I used to be able to shift my 86 Mustang and (2) 95 Civics like a racecar, so I'm pretty sure the problem isn't me.

Do the shifter alignment, replace the fluid, and see if that helps.