I just got my 8 today, the car is in tip top shape, but I experience a weird thing when trying to shift into 6th gear from 5th, when in 5th I'll pull back on the lever and instead of going smoothly into 6th I had it pop sideways and go into 4th more than once. Other times it would be fine, is this a normal thing? like a block that tries to keep you from going into reverse from 5th gear?

 

Engagement timing of all gears is crucial, and the pedal height can be adjusted.

Is this more likely to happen when the car is hot or cold, and how many miles are on the car...?

 

I'm on Day 6 with mine. I learned a few days ago that a relaxed downward pull will get you 4th gear -- count on that -- it's good to know where 4th is. For 6th gear (you're not in a big hurry if you're reaching for 6th), you have to think of the "southeast corner" of the shift pattern. Pull it over to the right edge and pull down. You'll get it. It's a good thing!

 

yeah, this is my first 6-speed, and it took a little getting used to...when I first got it I was always afraid I was going to put it tino reverse rather than 6th.

 

You shouldn't worry about accidental reverse because of the reverse lock out.
6th is kind of off to the side as Lear described.
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I had some fun actually "finding" reverse the first day I got my 8. No worries about 6th vs. reverse.

 

^^ I'm right there with you. I felt like an idiot when the salesman had to show me how to get the car in reverse on the test drive.

 

I flip my hand around on the shifter, so my hand is on the left side rather than the right or middle. It makes for a natural backward motion from fifth to sixth, plus the mechanics of that movement will naturally push the shifter away from fourth.

 

^ same here, rest in more on the left side so 5th and 6th are always easy but reverse was different in my celica so it took a few tries to unlearn my old habits

 

Its normal. I was still accidently putting it in 4th from 5th every now and then almost a week after I got it.

 

^ +1

shift into 6th with the palm of your hand towards the passenger side. you'll never go into 4th again.