Shifting into first gear

[XorakX6]

Hello, I bought a new 2015 camaro SS 1le factory ordered and it arrived last Saturday. I notice that when I slowing down and want to down shift into first it will not let me until im under 20km/hr. Is this normal where as there is a blocking mechanism like how you cannot go into reverse at a certain speed?

Thanks

[malave7567]

It's not normal to downshift into 1st when slowing down to a stop, especially at about 12.5 mph (about 20 km/h) when 2nd gear still is the best gear to be in. That said, rev-matching a little bit would help you get back into 1st if you really want to drop the hammer for whatever reason. There's no actual lockout for 1st.

Reverse does have a lockout above a certain speed.

[XorakX6]

Sorry im pretty new to driving manual and still learning as I go. So the only time 1st should be used is from a complete stop. I usually stay in 1st the odd time 2nd when going through parking lots.

Thanks

[Normagene]

Originally Posted by XorakX6

Sorry im pretty new to driving manual and still learning as I go. So the only time 1st should be used is from a complete stop. I usually stay in 1st the odd time 2nd when going through parking lots.

Thanks

I use 1st gear only to get going from a stop. If I'm coming to a stop, I'll only go into 1st gear when I'm doing around walking speed, 2 or 3 mph. That way you don't get any jerkiness, it's a very smooth transition.

Also if I'm driving thru a parking lot I'll most likely be in 2nd. Even if I'm only doing 5 or 10 mph. Which is really slow and these engines are powerful so it's no strain on them to be in 2nd gear.

[malave7567]

[edit: deleted an incorrect statement].

Rule of thumb for most manuals is usually only to use 1st to launch the car or very low speed. I do crawl in a parking lot in 1st sometimes, especially if it is continually stop-and-go, but 2nd is more than fine for it.

[XorakX6]

Ya that skip shift is annoying. I usually just go to about 35km/hr or 3000 rpm and it goes away and can shift to second easily. I tried going to 4th a couple times following the skip shift but find the car jerks when doing so. Not sure if because im not giving enough gas or letting the clutch off to fast. I have smooth shifts from 2-3-4-5-6 if I dont try it.

Thanks alot for all the quick responses.

[qcman]

A lot of folks here install a skip shift eliminator which is only like $20 or so. Might be something to consider on your car.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by malave7567

I noticed you're driving a 1LE as well, which has closer gear ratios and a 3.91 final drive, meaning that 2nd gear has even more torque available than in a regular SS. Shoot, the car's Skip Shift will want you to be in 4th gear at 17mph if the car is warmed up. (most of us on this forum hate Skip Shift though, and eliminate it)

Rule of thumb for most manuals is usually only to use 1st to launch the car or very low speed. I do crawl in a parking lot in 1st sometimes, especially if it is continually stop-and-go, but 2nd is more than fine for it.

Actually second gear in a standard SS has a final drive ratio of about 7.14:1 vs 6.94:1 in a 1LE. Thus the opposite of what you said is true. Remember that final drive ratio is a combination of the tranny gearing and the rear end gearing.

[malave7567]

Originally Posted by gajagfan

Actually second gear in a standard SS has a final drive ratio of about 7.14:1 vs 6.94:1 in a 1LE. Thus the opposite of what you said is true. Remember that final drive ratio is a combination of the tranny gearing and the rear end gearing.

Final Drive Ratio is the ratio of the ring and pinion in the back (3.91 vs 3.45), or at least that's how I've always been told in terms of that wording.

But you are correct now that I looked it up on the ratio of the transmission gears on the 1LE. I thought they were numerical higher on the 1LE's transmission, but I see now that they are the opposite.