well i feel sometimes like my 350 has a jerking problem, like maybe something is up with the transmission or the clutch; at first i thought it was just because i needed to break it in cuz its a new car but now i have 5,000 miles and 6 months on it. it just jerks too much sometimes whenever i want to just drive normal. so is something up with my tranny or is everyones 350 a jerking even when your just trying to drive normal? should i take it to the dealer or would i just be wasting my time

 

Well, according to the internet adolescents and teens usually jerk about 2 times a day. Any more than that might be an early warning sign of sexual deviance.

On a serious note, I would say take it to the dealership and let them take it for a spin around the block or just test drive one of theirs and see if it feels the same. If it doesn’t then you might have a problem. But make sure you don’t do any jerking at the dealership, wait till you get home for that.

 

Take it in. Thats why you have a warranty.

 

hahah i do my jerking at home! as a matter a fact i think i will take it in today. think i need appointment.

 

what are your approximate RPM's when this is happening? Does what gear you are in have an effect?

 

+1

 

Is this your first car with manual transmission? Is the problem intermittent?

 

I never have to make an appointment for jerking!!

 

If You Abruptly Take Your Foot Off The Accelerator In 1st, It Will Jerk Since The Throttle Is Pretty Touchy

 

Learn to drive your Z...come back and talk to us in a few months...mmmkay??

 

Well, the 350 doesn't have the smoothest clutch I've ever driven.. the engagement seems nonlinear and can be unpredictable. My only guess is that the VQ doesn't seem to generate much low end torque, esp below 1500. If I start from anything below 1000, the clutch/tranny shudders unless I let off the clutch very slowly, or apply exactly the right amount of throttle. Too much and the wheels chirp (and/or the TCS engages if I forgot to turn it off). Too little and it will lurch. It's probably the most picky/unforgiving manual I've ever driven, but I'm not sure why exactly.

 

I think any manual will shudder if you try to make it move below 1000 rpms. You just need to practice your launches.

 

You might be too abrubt with the shifts. Try easing in and easing out of the gas between gears. That will prevent the it from jerking. Also eversince I took it to the dealer for the clutch popping during cold startups most of the jerking has gone away. Driving is now 10 times easier and more comfortable.

 

umm actually, when i test drove the 350Z (i dont have one) i was able to launch without even making the rpms move off 1000 a single bit up untill i removed my foot from the clutch, I also do that in my current car which is a V6 camaro..so it might just be the driver, Im not saying a good driver or anything but its can be done.

 

Really? this is by Faaaaar the easiest manual I have ever driven. It is so forgiving I am sure just about anyone could drive it. You should try driving what comes stock in the 03/04 cobras, it's the same tranny that comes in the viper and it is a biatch to drive on a daily basis. One day with that and you will see what I mean...

 

The Z is one of the less forgiving clutches... Often times the more power, the stickier the clutch. It's closer to a drag clutch than a corolla base burger... Vipers clutches suck... but that's good. If it were more forgiving, you'd be able to feather your clutch more... that means your clutch slips more before sticking. The clutch could very well wear out in no time if that were the case. Rev match!!! Learn where the RPMs should be before you let off the clutch (downshifting). There aren't "Shift points" as a lot of people believe... other than if you're trying to maximize your quarter mile... you can shift smooth as butter at just about any RPM, up or down. But you have to learn that if you're shifting at 3k RPM and not hammering the gas... you may have to wait a little longer to drop the clutch... If you're hammering the gas and going up a hill... etc, etc... it takes a while to "Know" what's going to work where and how you're driving.

Even people who have been driving sticks for years have looked like a 16yo when taking my Z out for the first time... it's pretty funny actually. If you've driven a ton different manuals then you might not even realize it... it'll just feel "Tight."

So I think your tranny is fine... especially if it felt like that from day one. Try dropping the clutch faster and not trying to baby it... you'll probably get a big jerk the first few times you try this but it'll force you to watch the RPMs and see where the tranny wants it... you're just along for the ride after all.

 

I have to dissagree with this. This is probably the reason his car jerks. I would suggest just the opposite, especially when starting out in first gear. Feather the clutch a little more to smooth out your start. The Z doesn't have the smoothest clutch I've ever driven but it's not bad. The high release point doesn't help either. You might want to try the clutch adjustment procedure that is posted in the engine section. It really helped make my clutch smoother.

 

they don't like low speed in 1st, can feel jerky then

 

What a jerk off.

 

i think the problem is you, no offense. you might not be giving it enough gas or have in the wrong gear at the speed you're driving.