Problem shifting into 2nd gear on my 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage

[adrian182]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage with about 200k km on it, and I’ve run into a weird issue with the manual transmission. Lately, I’ve noticed that I can’t shift into second gear while driving unless I’m coming from first gear. If I try to shift into second from any higher gear (like 3rd, 4th, etc.), it just won’t go in. But here’s the strange part: when the car is not moving, all the gears, including the second, work perfectly fine.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Any ideas on what might be causing it? Appreciate any help or suggestions!

Thanks!

[sunbeam]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage with about 200k km on it, and I’ve run into a weird issue with the manual transmission. Lately, I’ve noticed that I can’t shift into second gear while driving unless I’m coming from first gear. If I try to shift into second from any higher gear (like 3rd, 4th, etc.), it just won’t go in. But here’s the strange part: when the car is not moving, all the gears, including the second, work perfectly fine.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Any ideas on what might be causing it? Appreciate any help or suggestions!

Thanks!

When was the last time you changed your gear oil and what gear oil are you running?

[adrian182]

Honestly, I bought the car from another owner 3 years ago when it had around 150k km on it. My best guess is that the gear oil has never been changed... And frankly speaking, it’s hard to tell what oil the car is running on—probably whatever was used by the dealer when it was new. I really have no clue. If this is related to oil itself, do you have any advice on which one to use?

[sunbeam]

Honestly, I bought the car from another owner 3 years ago when it had around 150k km on it. My best guess is that the gear oil has never been changed... And frankly speaking, it’s hard to tell what oil the car is running on—probably whatever was used by the dealer when it was new. I really have no clue. If this is related to oil itself, do you have any advice on which one to use?

I run redline super light shockproof, this is the best fluid I have run.

Have also tried liquimoly 75w-90 full synthetic gear oil this is also a good fluid.

The 1st - 2nd gear is like the indicator of how well the transmission fluid is, I bet you have trouble shifting into reverse as well.

I do my manual transmission fluid every 15,000km, if you ran 50,000km or up to 200,000km with no fluid change I would guess this is the obvious answer.

It takes maybe 10 min to change and 1.6L of fluid (around $40 Euro or so) would recommend changing it.

[Eggman]

Have you adjusted your clutch cable?
HOW TO: Adjust clutch engagement point - Mitsubishi Mirage / Space Star


This might also indicate a damaged clutch assembly (broken springs):
2017 Mirage ES Clutch Replacement (broken clutch spring)


Related:
The Mirage Clutch (analysis & weaknesses etc., with pics)


Changing the oil wouldn't hurt, but might not address the cause of your problems.

[Mark]

Hi guys,

IÂ’ve got a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage with about 200k km on it, and IÂ’ve run into a weird issue with the manual transmission. Lately, IÂ’ve noticed that I canÂ’t shift into second gear while driving unless IÂ’m coming from first gear. If I try to shift into second from any higher gear (like 3rd, 4th, etc.), it just wonÂ’t go in. But hereÂ’s the strange part: when the car is not moving, all the gears, including the second, work perfectly fine.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Any ideas on what might be causing it? Appreciate any help or suggestions!

Thanks!

Like already suggested, I would start by changing your manual transmission fluid. If the damage has already been done, it may not change anything. It surely won't hurt anything to try this first. It's something that's relatively easy to do. You only need 2 quarts to complete the job & the proper funnel with a flexible hose (paid $2.49 for one).

Here is an excellent resource to get started -

https://mirageforum.com/forum/showth...g-5MT-Gear-Oil

Most forum members are using Redline MTL SAE 75W80 API GL-4 oil, because it's the proper type of oil that is relatively easy to find online.

I have no clue why sunbeam finds it necessary to change his manual transmission fluid every 15,000km/9,500 miles?

I changed my factory oil @ the recommended 30,000 mile interval, & it looked super clean. I did the 2nd change of the Redline MTL @ 80,000 miles (50,000 mile interval), and it was also extremely clean looking. I am going to stick with a 50,000 mile interval using Redline MTL, even though I think the intervals could be longer.

The joy of a manual is there are no filters. Drain & refill back to the fill hole. That's it in a nutshell.

Past history - Steve's plastic car - Steve was one of the first forum members to reach 300,000 miles on his Mirage. Steve did have manual transmission problems eventually, and I don't believe he changed his manual transmission fluid as frequently as he should have. I think he may have done it once, but thought he did it more frequently than that. If my memory serves me right, his records that he shared with us didn't reflect what he thought.

FYI - Steve ended up replacing his manual transmission before selling his Mirage, and I believe having trouble shifting into 2nd gear was the beginning of his problems.

[foama]

Of course it is very important there is the correct clutch cable play. With too little or no play, expensive problems will result. See the FSM for the exact details to check and correct it. Take care to do it exactly as the FSM says! It is not difficult at all.

Here in Europe we don't have Redline brand. We have some truly excellent fully synthetic gearbox oils. It takes a tick more than one and a half litres, so you need two 1L bottles. There is at least one "How-To change gearboxoil" in this forum.

Here is an example for best quality:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/143651782447...Bk9SR5rKyOq1ZA

What you describe sounds like a worn synchro ring. When you shift gear, take your time and never force the lever, that wears the synchro rings out real quick. Shifting without force lets them last as long as the car may exist.

[7milesout]

What they ^^^ said. Plus, do you rev match it when shifting down? It's not necessary I guess. But I always have. I ease the right edge of my right foot off the brake pedal and push the gas pedal while braking, to rev the engine. I've done it so long (years and year), that I've got really good control of both pedals when doing this. But anyway, rev-matching will help it go into gear easier.

[Basic]

What they ^^^ said. Plus, do you rev match it when shifting down? It's not necessary I guess. But I always have. I ease the right edge of my right foot off the brake pedal and push the gas pedal while braking, to rev the engine. I've done it so long (years and year), that I've got really good control of both pedals when doing this. But anyway, rev-matching will help it go into gear easier.

You should see the trick gas pedal extension Loren added to the RACECAR to aid in heel toe... it's excellent. I need to snap a pic, but I can't be bothered to vaccum my floor

[7milesout]

Does your blueracecar continue to be and/or continue to feel faster than a typical Mirage?