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Infiniti G35 Manual Transmissions

55 messages,  Last post on Aug 15, 2009 at 9:48 PM

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What is this discussion about? Infiniti G35, Transmission, Coupe, Sedan

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#6 of 55 Re: I've heard [dhamilton] by nefariousbc Mar 02, 2007 (8:24 am)
Replying to: dhamilton (Mar 01, 2007 7:01 pm) Yes I would agree. There are a couple of things that I've noticed driving this car for the past 3 months or so.   First, like you said, the clutch pedal engages really high off the floor...which is awkward for most people. It's almost like you're encouraged to just tap the clutch rather than push it in all the way between shifts.   Secondly, in lower gears (namely 1st and 2nd), the RPMS drop pretty fast between shifts. This always encouraged me to give some extra gas to compensate. However, since you're playing with a rev-happy 306 HP engine, a "little" extra gas can jolt the car forward.   The combination of the above factors make it really hard to get smooth takeoffs from either 1st or 2nd gear. It can be done...but it requires way too much effort in my opinion. That's why I was very happy to hear that the clutch eventually loosens up some around 9-12k miles. Personally, I've gotten used a little bit of a rocky start. It bothers me more when I've got other ppl in the car. Replies to this message: g35mc (Mar 02, 2007 11:24 am) jagguar (Mar 02, 2007 1:16 pm) bobzg (Mar 07, 2007 5:26 pm) and 1 more... lwechsler (Jun 23, 2007 3:07 pm)
#7 of 55 Re: I've heard [nefariousbc] by g35mc Mar 02, 2007 (11:24 am)
Replying to: nefariousbc (Mar 02, 2007 8:24 am) This gives me some difficulty at times as well. However, it just takes a bit of practice. The one thing to be aware of is that if your G hasn't been driven for 8-12hours it will be more rocky than normal due to the high rpm idle (1.5-2.5k depending on where you live).   There's a couple things that will help from 1st->2nd shifts and driving:   1) The gas peddal in the G35 is most sensitive at the BOTTOM, not the top. While it may take some getting used to and will be a bit uncomfortable at first, try using your entire foot on the peddal (toes at the top and heel towards the bottom). I read this somewhere else here and it made a big different for both low gear shifting and driving.   2) When shifting from 1st->2nd I usually shift between 3k-4k rpm as the RPMs drop quickly in these gears. When you are shifting from 1st->2nd don't feel that you have to push the clutch all the way in, otherwise it will always be a rough shift.   3) Pull the shifter down quickly from 1st to 2nd, although it may not be the best way to shift, it definately helps if you pull it quickly down into 2nd as the RPMs drop fast.   4) I swear the harder I try to make a smooth shift the worse the shift actually is. It's all in your head! The key is to push the clutch in just to the point where it pops out quickly. With practice, good timing, and some luck your 1st->2nd gear shifts should improve. Replies to this message: jagguar (Mar 02, 2007 1:16 pm) bobzg (Mar 07, 2007 5:26 pm) g35mc (Mar 09, 2007 11:39 am) lwechsler (Jun 23, 2007 3:07 pm)
#8 of 55 Re: I've heard [g35mc] by jagguar Mar 02, 2007 (1:16 pm)
Replying to: g35mc (Mar 02, 2007 11:24 am) Are most of you guys new to driving a manual? The clutch is different in every car. I'll admit the clutch in this car is unique. It almost feels like they used a sports clutch but then added something to keep it from stalling too easily. It's weird, because it does feel like a sports clutch, but like I said, it's not easy to stall it.   Any new clutch takes some getting used to. Take an hour one day and find an empty parking lot and just keep starting and stopping to get used to the clutch. You have to get used to where the "catch point" is and also learn to control your right foot. It takes some practice, but hold down the clutch and push the gas a little and try to hold it at 2000 rpms. Then try to hold the gas down at 3000 rpms. Then again at 4000. Once you can get the hang of this, try to start by holding the gas at 2000 rpms, and then as you disengage the clutch, very slowly increase the gas.   It's very possible to have a smooth takeoff in this car. You just have to take the time and teach yourself how to do it. Replies to this message: bobzg (Mar 07, 2007 5:26 pm) g35mc (Mar 09, 2007 11:39 am)
#9 of 55 jagguar's got it right by bobzg Mar 07, 2007 (5:26 pm)
Replying to: jagguar (Mar 02, 2007 1:16 pm) It just takes a little while to adjust to the clutch. On the testdrive I warned the salesman about my coffee spilling, but he insisted it had cupholders. The coffee was spilling before we got out of the parking lot. (good thing I bought the black one) But after driving the G for a couple days it's real smooth and my civic SI feels like the awkward clutch. My pap's says the clutch is smiliar to previous 300Z's with a real low engage. On the civic it connects almost all the way out. The stick does vibrate a little bit, but it's not as drastic as some might believe. So far the car has been a dream. Replies to this message: g35mc (Mar 09, 2007 11:39 am)
#10 of 55 Re: jagguar's got it right [bobzg] by g35mc Mar 09, 2007 (11:39 am)
Replying to: bobzg (Mar 07, 2007 5:26 pm) I just hit 900 miles today on my '07 G35 6MT. It's been a few days since I've driven it, and I noticed today that the clutch /shifting felt extremely smooth. I believe it's starting to break itself in nicely and just the practice I've had over the past month has alleviated all my fears about the clutch and transmission I had before purchasing the car.   Another thing that I suggest if people are still having trouble with the clutch or jerky shifts is to take your ride out in city streets with a lot of stop and goes. The 1st->3rd gear shifting is the main problem area and again all it takes is practice.
#11 of 55 Re: anyway just starting in 2nd? by pdxgqman Mar 25, 2007 (6:59 pm)
Dumb question, but I'll ask anyway: is anyone skipping 1st and just starting in 2nd? I know not to do this when facing hills, but on flat ground it seems to be the best option and two dealerships have told me it doesn't hurt anything.   Your thoughts??? Replies to this message: jagguar (Apr 12, 2007 11:52 am) lwechsler (Jun 23, 2007 10:28 am)
#12 of 55 Re: anyway just starting in 2nd? [pdxgqman] by jagguar Apr 12, 2007 (11:52 am)
Replying to: pdxgqman (Mar 25, 2007 6:59 pm) It doesn't hurt anything. You're perfectly fine doing that, you just have less power so there's less lurch. But this is a cop out. Just practice starting in first, let yourself get used to it and figure out how to do it right.
#13 of 55 Love the car, but what's with the gear ratios? by r34fan Apr 20, 2007 (7:33 am)
I'm on my 2nd 6MT (had a '06 and now a '07) and I've got to say my ONLY complaint with the vehicles themselves would be the way that Nissan/Infiniti tuned the gear ratios. This has to be the root of a lot of driver's frustration, especially those new to stick and/or learned on a less technical clutch. With 1st & 2nd being so close together, I almost feel inclined to start in 2nd and jump right into 4th. While devout enthusiasts may love this feature (and in which case should tune it themselves with an adjustable cam gear), those of us who utilize the car as a daily driver are left wondering why it's tough to drive smoothly. What gives? Replies to this message: shrivastava (Apr 24, 2007 10:42 am) jagguar (May 21, 2007 4:41 pm)
#14 of 55 Re: Love the car, but what's with the gear ratios? [r34fan] by shrivastava Apr 24, 2007 (10:42 am)
Replying to: r34fan (Apr 20, 2007 7:33 am) I agree the shifting is kind of tricky. I have driven Nissan Altima 1995 5 spd manual transmission for the last 3 years, and I test drove a G 35 6 MT last week. I really couldn`t get a feel for the power and handling because the dealer-agent who was with me during the test drive was very concerned about my shifting and the clutch plate damage.   But I have read that it takes some time to master the clutch and the shifting and the car itself takes around 2k miles for the clutch to break in.
#15 of 55 It Just Takes Practice by jagguar May 21, 2007 (4:36 pm)
Okay, so now that I finally got the car I can say that it's really quite easy to get used to. Here's what the deal is: the car has a sports clutch and you have 306 horsepower under your right foot. If you give it much gas at all when you take your foot off the clutch, the car is going to lurch forward. Drivers typically react by reducing the gas and you get a slight bounce effect.   To learn how to drive the car smoothly, here's what I suggest. The gas pedal pivots at the floor. Take advantage of this. If you place your heel on the floor at the base of the pedal, you have a lot more control of the gas. Then get a feel for the clutch. Find a nice flat parking lot somewhere where you can practice going from a stop. Take your foot off the brake and keep it off the gas, then hit the clutch and slowly pull it up until you feel the gears start to catch. You need to memorize where this point. Just get used to it. Do it over and over until you really get a feel for it. Now because the car has so much power, you really don't need to give it much gas at all when your lift the clutch. Just give it a tiny bit of gas to get it moving, and then when your foot is completely off the clutch you can start to give it more gas. Trust me, you'll take off as fast as you want to and you'll do it much more smoothly.

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