Canadia

Creeping along in traffic with my C5, holding it in 1st with tiptronic, as i let off the throttle the car bucks and jerks repeatedly, engine braking in a manner that could be called anything but smooth. This also happens when lifting off the throttle in reverse.

I also noticed this with newer manual transmissions, both in first gear as well as reverese; i have no difficulty launching the car smoothly, though if i continue to drive around in first rather than shift to second (e.g. when i'm maneuvering in a parking lot), the moment i lift off the throttle, or reapply it after lifting off, the car bucks. It feels like I should be in second, but i don't *want* to be in second because i'll be coming to a stop soon.

And, in reverse, it forces me to slip the clutch because when i fully engage it, it spasms like a frothing maniac unless i fly along at ~15mph backwards.

Why is this? Something to do with short first/reverse gear ratios, and essentially lugging the engine @ low speeds? Am i just being paranoid?

TIA!

Just Me

rubber banding of driveline ( slop)

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

The OEM mounts are somewhat soft and allow too much flex IMO, plus the OEM snub mount can degrade and then provides even less damping than when new. Driveline stabilizer can also help, but a properly adjusted snub plate and harder snub mount can make a major improvement.

btruby

I thought you sold the C5?

Canadia

The new car's a manual, which is why i ask. After three months of driving a beat up 5 speed cobalt, i finally took delivery of an 09 civic on monday. I'll post pics as soon as i get a chance to clean it up ~

btruby

Oh nice. I was a little confused :-P