I Hate The P5 Transmission

[323CiP5]

I always have problems putting it into reverse.
I know others are having the same problem. I've also noticed that there were a few mazda 3's and 6's that had roughly the same problems (difficulty getting into gear, usually 1st, 2nd, and reverse) 2 questions:

1) Are they the same tranny?

2) Is it worth pursuing the STEALership to try and fix the problem? I've brought it in twice already and both times they say nothing is wrong (except second time they blamed it on my short shifter) (They SUCK!)

[snowblazin]

Nope, welcome to the wonderful world of Mazda trannys. Reverse can be a bitch as well as 3rd. Don't shift too quick! ;)

[nealric]

For reverse, I find letting up on the clutch and pushing it in again usually gets it into gear. Ive heard an explanaion for why this works but cant remember it.

Synthetic gear oil will help things. I dont think anyting is wrong with the car.

[khaosman]

Transmission fluid change (to synthetic) seemed to help, or at least made me think it did.

[cheapmiata1600]

I usually put my car in first and then reverse. Seems to get everything in the tranny properly lined up.

[chuyler1]

Take your foot off the brake pedal and let the car roll a little.

[drumsbeloud]

Nope, welcome to the wonderful world of Mazda trannys. Reverse can be a bitch as well as 3rd. Don't shift too quick! ;)

what he said.

[NoRotor,NoMotor]

i have no problems getting it into reverse

[aMaff]

if I'm not mistaken, reverse isn't synchro'd, so if everything's not lined up right, it won't go in. Put it in neutral, lift ur foot off the clutch to turn everything in there and try it again.

[chronus377]

i Put it in neutral, lift ur foot off the clutch


That works for me, I tend to do it automatically now without thinking about it. Oh well.

[aMaff]

That works for me, I tend to do it automatically now without thinking about it. Oh well.
(yes)

[AlbNYPR5]

Mine started out with a slight grind when shifting into 3rd. I took it to the dealer because there was a TSB regarding a 3rd gear synchro issue so I was trying to get it fixed under warranty. The first time I brought it in they said that "mazda suggests that you press the clutch in for 5 seconds when shifting gears". I wondered if I should just roll to a stop every time I shifted because that makes about as much sense... The second and third time I brought it in for it they couldn't recreate the issue. So eventually 3 years had past so the warranty was gone and then it started popping out of third gear. At first it was rare but then became more frequent. I finally got sick of it and traded the car in. I do miss driving my P5 but I like the 4wd in the tribute when its snowy and the extra room is nice as well.

[FrolessWonder]

Take your foot off the brake pedal and let the car roll a little.

winner. It took me a few days to realize that, but thats what it was. it seems like reverse is "gated" if you will, so when it wont go in it is being blocked and when you roll forward and push it into gear, you find the open area.

[SkinnyJoint]

honestly all 5 speeds ive ever driven usually every now and then give me a hard time when going to reverse... just let the pedal out and then back down

[Martino617]

wow had that shit happed to me with reverse today at school. I had to let the car roll a couple of feet as well....

[Mick]

I usually put my car in first and then reverse. Seems to get everything in the tranny properly lined up.


EXACTLY. Works EVERY time for me. If i dont do this, it doesnt want to go all the way in.

Ive never had any issues with any other gears other than reverse.

[Bebe Jr 2005]

a good trick hat has alays work for me perfectly is, even if you are trying to stop the car to go on reverse put t on second gear and then put it on reverse. tha always has worked for me so far since i have been drving standard specially now with my p5.

[nvmsp]

Mine never wants to cleanly go into reverse. I pretend the 1st time to put it in reverse ,I just pull the shifter all the way over and lightly pull down but dont try to get it in reverse.

Then i go back to neutral and then go and put it in reverse and it goes in fine.

[ejb2112]

Push in the clutch...DUH

Just kidding. Every manual I've ever owned had the synchro issue, and all the above suggestions are good. Nothing to worry about.

[The Short Bus]

Everyone I know with a P5 says the same thing. Shift back to neutral, release the clutch, and then shift into reverse. Annoying but reliable.

[Lord_Zath]

I have no problems putting mine into reverse...

[robp5t]

I have a little problem in reverse let of on the clutch a little works for me. Any body ever had it jump out of third before? It is a shock.

[Alpinejwl]

if you don't bring it up I wouldn't even realize it but I have the same problem. Don't bother me though cuz first gear then reverse solves it everytime.

[Hellnightkid]

KB bushing helped mine a little bit...i think.

[65racecoupe]

That sucks. Mine does that every once in a while.

Try shifting with a damn Tremec TKO tranny. I had one in my 65 stang, it grinded loud as hell every time I shifted to reverse.

[Alpinejwl]

KB bushing helped mine a little bit...i think.

I've got the KB bushing and TMM SS and it still happens once a while..=p but no big deal

[nate0123]

I have no problems putting mine into reverse...might have something to do with the slushbox (hand)

[Lord_Zath]

might have something to do with the slushbox (hand)

Was wondering when someone would remember I have an automatic (first)

I'm not having clutch problems, either lol

[aMaff]

Was wondering when someone would remember I have an automatic (first)

I'm not having clutch problems, either lol
Is yours of the magic or the tragic variety? :p

[Lord_Zath]

it's more magical than tragical lol

[NegatiZE]

I just make sure to come to a complete stop before shifting to reverse. If not, it grinds even if the clutch is pushed in all the way, bah.

[BacardiBreezer]

I always go to third, and then reverse. Sometimes if I let out the clutch then put it back in, the car will go into reverse but with a grind, so I always go to another gear first as a safety measure.

[speedblue88]

Mine does it occasionally in reverse, but I have more frequent problems shifting into 1st. Sucks when I'm sitting at a stop light and the shifter won't slot into 1st and I'm on level ground so the car won't roll if I let off the brake. Annoying as hell.

[Daddybluwagon]

just glad to know my car was'nt the only doing that sh_t

[TreFlip999]

trying lining up the synchro's... go into 1st, then 2nd then in reverse, do that several times...it should be good after that

[nate0123]

Tre, your sig looks a bit tall, you're allowed 300 pixels in height

[02PROTEGE2.0]

just put iit in any gear before reverse... it helps alot...