2008 Miata - slipping out of 4th gear?

I have a brand spanking new 2008 Miata (only 90 miles on it when I got
it last week!) with a 6 speed transmission. I have 600 miles on it
now and noticed something strange and I don't know if it's me or the
car. I generally shift around 2500-3000 rpm for faster acceleration
and don't rev the engine more than 3100 - 3200. The last time I drove
a manual was a '85 Isuzu Trooper with only 4 speeds so I'm relearning
my shifting techniques.

What happens is I'll be in 4th gear and all of a sudden the stick
shift pops out into neutral. The first time it happened I was very
surprised as this had never happened to me in a manual car before. I
just put the clutch in and popped it back into 4th.

The 2nd time it happened, I noticed that I was around 3K rpm. I tried
revving higher in 4th thinking that maybe these newer manual
transmissions were telling me I needed to get into the next gear, but
I couldn't force it to pop out into neutral anywhere between 2000 -
3500 rpm in fourth gear.

The 3rd time it happened, I noticed again that I was around 3000 rpm
when it popped into neutral. Again tried revving higher but I
couldn't duplicate it.

Is this normal? Or do I have a defective 4th gear? It doesn't happen
all the time, but the fact that it has happened 3 times in less than a
week concerns me.

I made sure my hand wasn't anywhere near it the last two times (so I
know my hand isn't hitting the knob), the clutch was out (no foot on
the clutch) in all 3 times, it's always happened when it's been a
fairly straight road, not really accelerating to shift into 5th but
just cruising along. It only has happened in the 4th gear, it hasn't
occurred in any other gears.

I guess my next step is to check with the dealer, as I'm sure it's
covered under warranty. I would appreciate any ideas.

Defective Transmission. At 600 miles, the dealer should replace the
transmission (or the whole car)
You should actually shift at a little higher RPM than 3000 or so. That's
about when the engine starts to develop decent power.
Miata engines are designed for higher RPM use than most american engines.

<janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:09f06461-b2ac-439a-b1b2-74debd98a07c@25g2000hsx.googlegroups . com ...
>I have a brand spanking new 2008 Miata (only 90 miles on it when I got
> it last week!) with a 6 speed transmission. I have 600 miles on it
> now and noticed something strange and I don't know if it's me or the
> car. I generally shift around 2500-3000 rpm for faster acceleration
> and don't rev the engine more than 3100 - 3200. The last time I drove
> a manual was a '85 Isuzu Trooper with only 4 speeds so I'm relearning
> my shifting techniques.
>
> What happens is I'll be in 4th gear and all of a sudden the stick
> shift pops out into neutral. The first time it happened I was very
> surprised as this had never happened to me in a manual car before. I
> just put the clutch in and popped it back into 4th.
>
> The 2nd time it happened, I noticed that I was around 3K rpm. I tried
> revving higher in 4th thinking that maybe these newer manual
> transmissions were telling me I needed to get into the next gear, but
> I couldn't force it to pop out into neutral anywhere between 2000 -
> 3500 rpm in fourth gear.
>
> The 3rd time it happened, I noticed again that I was around 3000 rpm
> when it popped into neutral. Again tried revving higher but I
> couldn't duplicate it.
>
> Is this normal? Or do I have a defective 4th gear? It doesn't happen
> all the time, but the fact that it has happened 3 times in less than a
> week concerns me.
>
> I made sure my hand wasn't anywhere near it the last two times (so I
> know my hand isn't hitting the knob), the clutch was out (no foot on
> the clutch) in all 3 times, it's always happened when it's been a
> fairly straight road, not really accelerating to shift into 5th but
> just cruising along. It only has happened in the 4th gear, it hasn't
> occurred in any other gears.
>
> I guess my next step is to check with the dealer, as I'm sure it's
> covered under warranty. I would appreciate any ideas.

Not normal at all. I suggest a trip to the dealer. The only problem I've
heard with the 6 speed (2006-2008), is, a few have gotten stuck in 3rd gear
caused by a defective casting of the 3rd gear shifting fork and the fork
breaking.

Jim

2006 GG MX-5 6MT
<janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:09f06461-b2ac-439a-b1b2-74debd98a07c@25g2000hsx.googlegroups . com ...
>I have a brand spanking new 2008 Miata (only 90 miles on it when I got
> it last week!) with a 6 speed transmission. I have 600 miles on it
> now and noticed something strange and I don't know if it's me or the
> car. I generally shift around 2500-3000 rpm for faster acceleration
> and don't rev the engine more than 3100 - 3200. The last time I drove
> a manual was a '85 Isuzu Trooper with only 4 speeds so I'm relearning
> my shifting techniques.
>
> What happens is I'll be in 4th gear and all of a sudden the stick
> shift pops out into neutral. The first time it happened I was very
> surprised as this had never happened to me in a manual car before. I
> just put the clutch in and popped it back into 4th.
>
> The 2nd time it happened, I noticed that I was around 3K rpm. I tried
> revving higher in 4th thinking that maybe these newer manual
> transmissions were telling me I needed to get into the next gear, but
> I couldn't force it to pop out into neutral anywhere between 2000 -
> 3500 rpm in fourth gear.
>
> The 3rd time it happened, I noticed again that I was around 3000 rpm
> when it popped into neutral. Again tried revving higher but I
> couldn't duplicate it.
>
> Is this normal? Or do I have a defective 4th gear? It doesn't happen
> all the time, but the fact that it has happened 3 times in less than a
> week concerns me.
>
> I made sure my hand wasn't anywhere near it the last two times (so I
> know my hand isn't hitting the knob), the clutch was out (no foot on
> the clutch) in all 3 times, it's always happened when it's been a
> fairly straight road, not really accelerating to shift into 5th but
> just cruising along. It only has happened in the 4th gear, it hasn't
> occurred in any other gears.
>
> I guess my next step is to check with the dealer, as I'm sure it's
> covered under warranty. I would appreciate any ideas.

Thank you both. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
next week. I hope they can verify the problem and fix it. Good thing
it was caught early and still under warranty.

When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not getting 1/10th
of the fun / performance out of your car shifting at 3000. Put your foot
into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular thing and keep it planted up to /
near redline for the real fun! You won't be able to get the smile off your
face.

Chris
99BBB

"J." <janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:a7376fba-5b40-44a4-aa0f-175c324f2f44@a6g2000prm.googlegroups . com ...
> Thank you both. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
> next week. I hope they can verify the problem and fix it. Good thing
> it was caught early and still under warranty.

"Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagnolo@alltel . net > wrote:

> When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not
> getting 1/10th of the fun / performance out of your car shifting
> at 3000. Put your foot into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular
> thing and keep it planted up to / near redline for the real fun!
> You won't be able to get the smile off your face.

With an even bigger smile on the face of the guy behind you as he
switches on the lights and siren and flexes his ticket writing
fingers.....



--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
* improve-usenet.org

Well, come on now, I didn't say how many gears you could run thru ;-) I much
prefer being able to run the Miata thru the gears than dogging around a
supercar that does 60 something in first and over 100 if you run second up.
Where / how often can you use that?

Ya, I'd take one but, I'd be in my Miata allot!

Chris
99BBB
>
> With an even bigger smile on the face of the guy behind you as he
> switches on the lights and siren and flexes his ticket writing
> fingers.....
>
>
>
> --
> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
> The Usenet Improvement Project:
> * improve-usenet.org

>Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagnolo@alltel . net > wrote in message
>news:8718b$48977414$97d5b04f$30066@ALLTEL . net ...
> When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not getting
> 1/10th of the fun / performance out of your car shifting at 3000. Put your
> foot into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular thing and keep it planted
> up to / near redline for the real fun! You won't be able to get the smile
> off your face.
>
> Chris
> 99BBB
>
> "J." <janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
> news:a7376fba-5b40-44a4-aa0f-175c324f2f44@a6g2000prm.googlegroups . com ...
>> Thank you both. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
>> next week. I hope they can verify the problem and fix it. Good thing
>> it was caught early and still under warranty.

I did this TWICE on the way to work this morning - the lid was down and I
was the only car in sight. MAN does this car move. It was SO MUCH FUN!! Now
I need to install a bunch of stuff to tighten up the whole body and take it
to Austin for Lime Creek Road. Where DID I leave that check book... :-)

If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive a
supercharged or turbocharged Miata.
My 99 (on a good day) will develop around 220 HP at the rear wheels. Stock
was about 110HP.
(And, there are those that have really gone to the "dark side" with around
300HP out of an NB engine.)

I'm waiting to see if and when a similar mod is available for the NC
versions.

"Carol" <carol@mypermanentemail . com > wrote in message
news:eIOlk.20516$N87.3466@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc . com ...
> >Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagnolo@alltel . net > wrote in message
> >news:8718b$48977414$97d5b04f$30066@ALLTEL . net ...
>> When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not getting
>> 1/10th of the fun / performance out of your car shifting at 3000. Put
>> your foot into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular thing and keep it
>> planted up to / near redline for the real fun! You won't be able to get
>> the smile off your face.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>>
>> "J." <janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
>> news:a7376fba-5b40-44a4-aa0f-175c324f2f44@a6g2000prm.googlegroups . com ...
>>> Thank you both. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
>>> next week. I hope they can verify the problem and fix it. Good thing
>>> it was caught early and still under warranty.
>
> I did this TWICE on the way to work this morning - the lid was down and I
> was the only car in sight. MAN does this car move. It was SO MUCH FUN!!
> Now I need to install a bunch of stuff to tighten up the whole body and
> take it to Austin for Lime Creek Road. Where DID I leave that check
> book... :-)
>
>
>

Chuck wrote:
> If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive a
> supercharged or turbocharged Miata.
> My 99 (on a good day) will develop around 220 HP at the rear wheels. Stock
> was about 110HP.
> (And, there are those that have really gone to the "dark side" with around
> 300HP out of an NB engine.)
>
> I'm waiting to see if and when a similar mod is available for the NC
> versions.

Mixed feelings about all that additional power as well.

I rapped my last Miata to redline constantly and it was fun, but it
never really got that fast since it probably had about 140hp and weighed
maybe 300 pounds more than my current one.

If I apply the same type of behavior to my turbo miata that is set up
similarly to your's, my license to drive will be gone soon, but there
are places to open it up. :-)

That "funner to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow", but I have
to admit, the power is a rush.
Over 200 HP for a car that is just over 2000 pounds is pretty quick,
especially for one that still handles so well.

Pat

"Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote:

> If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive
> a supercharged or turbocharged Miata.

My stock 1.6 has all the power I want or need. If I wanted to go fast
I would have got a Corvette or a Viper. Balance is much more important
than speed.


--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
* improve-usenet.org

Well, each to their own--
One thing I noticed as a big improvement was the way the cruise control
works in the mountains. Helps reduce downshifting to go up grades. (At
least I told my insurance company that the car was "modified for high
altitude use in the mountains".) <G>
There is no change in top speed, since the Miatas (1.8s anyway) are RPM
limited to about 128 MPH.
In theory my 99 will go (with enough road) just a bit faster than that, due
to a small change in the 5th gear ratio. The change was made to reduce the
"buzzing" at 70 MPH or so. Just reducing the engine RPM by a few hundred at
70-75 MPH gets it just low enough to make a noticeable improvement. (And,
the turbocharged gas mileage on the road is virtually the same or very
slightly better than stock mileage.) If I remember correctly, the 1/4 mile
time is about 3 seconds faster than stock.
With me in it, 1/2 tank of gas, and additional sound proofing, as well as
the turbo stuff, the 99LE weighs in at 2600lbs.

Corvettes and Vipers are just too big, heavy, and expensive!

"XS11E" <xs11e@mailinator . com > wrote in message
news:Xns9AF1586602489xs11emailinatorcom@85.214.90.236...
> "Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote:
>
>> If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive
>> a supercharged or turbocharged Miata.
>
> My stock 1.6 has all the power I want or need. If I wanted to go fast
> I would have got a Corvette or a Viper. Balance is much more important
> than speed.
>
>
> --
> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
> The Usenet Improvement Project:
> * improve-usenet.org

Chuck, what did you do to change the 5th gear ratio? I'd LOVE to drop my top
gear cruising rpm's by 1000!

Help!

Chris
99BBB(no FI here)

"Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote in message
news:hvamk.11650$LF2.449@newsfe09.iad...
> Well, each to their own--
> One thing I noticed as a big improvement was the way the cruise control
> works in the mountains. Helps reduce downshifting to go up grades. (At
> least I told my insurance company that the car was "modified for high
> altitude use in the mountains".) <G>
> There is no change in top speed, since the Miatas (1.8s anyway) are RPM
> limited to about 128 MPH.
> In theory my 99 will go (with enough road) just a bit faster than that,
> due to a small change in the 5th gear ratio. The change was made to reduce
> the "buzzing" at 70 MPH or so. Just reducing the engine RPM by a few
> hundred at 70-75 MPH gets it just low enough to make a noticeable
> improvement. (And, the turbocharged gas mileage on the road is virtually
> the same or very slightly better than stock mileage.) If I remember
> correctly, the 1/4 mile time is about 3 seconds faster than stock.
> With me in it, 1/2 tank of gas, and additional sound proofing, as well as
> the turbo stuff, the 99LE weighs in at 2600lbs.
>
> Corvettes and Vipers are just too big, heavy, and expensive!
>
> "XS11E" <xs11e@mailinator . com > wrote in message
> news:Xns9AF1586602489xs11emailinatorcom@85.214.90.236...
>> "Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote:
>>
>>> If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive
>>> a supercharged or turbocharged Miata.
>>
>> My stock 1.6 has all the power I want or need. If I wanted to go fast
>> I would have got a Corvette or a Viper. Balance is much more important
>> than speed.
>>
>>
>> --
>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>> * improve-usenet.org
>
>

The only way I know to get a big change is to change the rear axle ratio.
Ring and pinion ratios are available to about 3.6:1 instead of 4.1:1 (~)
The stock NA & NBs may not do well with the 3.6 due to local driving
conditions. (hills, etc.)
To me the difference due to the axle ratio might be worth it in terms of
fuel useage.
It's not a cheap mod.

Minor changes can be made if you have the 5 speed tranny. (Fifth gear ratio
change, using gear sets originally for the RX 7s
There is quite a bit of info in Miata . net about this. Originally, I had to
tear down my 99s tranny to replace what turned out to be a cracked fifth
gear syncro ring. This made the ratio change just a matter of putting in a
new gear set, since I had to tear down to it anyway.

I'd LOVE to drop my top gear cruising rpm's by 1000!

"Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagnolo@alltel . net > wrote in message
news:1e7a4$489a6338$4b594c7d$11181@ALLTEL . net ...
> Chuck, what did you do to change the 5th gear ratio? I'd LOVE to drop my
> top gear cruising rpm's by 1000!
>
> Help!
>
> Chris
> 99BBB(no FI here)
>
> "Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote in message
> news:hvamk.11650$LF2.449@newsfe09.iad...
>> Well, each to their own--
>> One thing I noticed as a big improvement was the way the cruise control
>> works in the mountains. Helps reduce downshifting to go up grades. (At
>> least I told my insurance company that the car was "modified for high
>> altitude use in the mountains".) <G>
>> There is no change in top speed, since the Miatas (1.8s anyway) are RPM
>> limited to about 128 MPH.
>> In theory my 99 will go (with enough road) just a bit faster than that,
>> due to a small change in the 5th gear ratio. The change was made to
>> reduce the "buzzing" at 70 MPH or so. Just reducing the engine RPM by a
>> few hundred at 70-75 MPH gets it just low enough to make a noticeable
>> improvement. (And, the turbocharged gas mileage on the road is virtually
>> the same or very slightly better than stock mileage.) If I remember
>> correctly, the 1/4 mile time is about 3 seconds faster than stock.
>> With me in it, 1/2 tank of gas, and additional sound proofing, as well as
>> the turbo stuff, the 99LE weighs in at 2600lbs.
>>
>> Corvettes and Vipers are just too big, heavy, and expensive!
>>
>> "XS11E" <xs11e@mailinator . com > wrote in message
>> news:Xns9AF1586602489xs11emailinatorcom@85.214.90.236...
>>> "Chuck" <Chnospam@cox . net > wrote:
>>>
>>>> If you think it moves now, wait until you have the chance to drive
>>>> a supercharged or turbocharged Miata.
>>>
>>> My stock 1.6 has all the power I want or need. If I wanted to go fast
>>> I would have got a Corvette or a Viper. Balance is much more important
>>> than speed.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
>>> The Usenet Improvement Project:
>>> * improve-usenet.org
>>
>>
>

Carol, you are my kind of girl / woman! There are some decent roads closer,
you know. LCR is getting pretty built up and I'm getting where I feel pretty
guilty tearing up and down major parts of it (rich folks building houses all
along there). Oh well, we make the best of it, eh?

Chris
99BBB

"Carol" <carol@mypermanentemail . com > wrote in message
news:eIOlk.20516$N87.3466@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc . com ...
> >Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagnolo@alltel . net > wrote in message
> >news:8718b$48977414$97d5b04f$30066@ALLTEL . net ...
>> When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not getting
>> 1/10th of the fun / performance out of your car shifting at 3000. Put
>> your foot into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular thing and keep it
>> planted up to / near redline for the real fun! You won't be able to get
>> the smile off your face.
>>
>> Chris
>> 99BBB
>>
>> "J." <janinelc@gmail . com > wrote in message
>> news:a7376fba-5b40-44a4-aa0f-175c324f2f44@a6g2000prm.googlegroups . com ...
>>> Thank you both. I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
>>> next week. I hope they can verify the problem and fix it. Good thing
>>> it was caught early and still under warranty.
>
> I did this TWICE on the way to work this morning - the lid was down and I
> was the only car in sight. MAN does this car move. It was SO MUCH FUN!!
> Now I need to install a bunch of stuff to tighten up the whole body and
> take it to Austin for Lime Creek Road. Where DID I leave that check
> book... :-)
>
>
>