Dealer Visit for 2nd Gear Notch, Got Lied To Perhaps?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 718
From: IL
Dealer Visit for 2nd Gear Notch, Got Lied To Perhaps?
Hello everyone.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Last edited by HxCGuitars; Apr 19, 2011 at 10:36 PM.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,473
From: CT
I bought my 08 new with less then 50 miles on it.....mine always had the most faint 2nd gear notch. Like I said almost not noticeable and I'm very particular about my cars. It has gotten a little worse over time 25K but, no big deal. I had about 6 mustangs in my life and it's either 3rd or 2nd gear that has had issues/characteristics. I never complained....I lived with it as a Mustang trait.
If yours is really bad, pull the tranny and look at the clutch. Look up the clutch guidelines and if it is good take pics and bring the car back to ford and have them fix the tranny. They then can't pull it's the clutch BS. or while you have the tranny out replace the clutch. The clutch usually last 100K+ as long as your not beating the sh*t out of the car. good luck
If yours is really bad, pull the tranny and look at the clutch. Look up the clutch guidelines and if it is good take pics and bring the car back to ford and have them fix the tranny. They then can't pull it's the clutch BS. or while you have the tranny out replace the clutch. The clutch usually last 100K+ as long as your not beating the sh*t out of the car. good luck
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 718
From: IL
I bought my 08 new with less then 50 miles on it.....mine always had the most faint 2nd gear notch. Like I said almost not noticeable and I'm very particular about my cars. It has gotten a little worse over time 25K but, no big deal. I had about 6 mustangs in my life and it's either 3rd or 2nd gear that has had issues/characteristics. I never complained....I lived with it as a Mustang trait.
If yours is really bad, pull the tranny and look at the clutch. Look up the clutch guidelines and if it is good take pics and bring the car back to ford and have them fix the tranny. They then can't pull it's the clutch BS. or while you have the tranny out replace the clutch. The clutch usually last 100K+ as long as your not beating the sh*t out of the car. good luck
If yours is really bad, pull the tranny and look at the clutch. Look up the clutch guidelines and if it is good take pics and bring the car back to ford and have them fix the tranny. They then can't pull it's the clutch BS. or while you have the tranny out replace the clutch. The clutch usually last 100K+ as long as your not beating the sh*t out of the car. good luck
Also, thanks for the reply Adam. I assumed it was normal, I just wanted to make sure.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 152
From:
Hello everyone.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 718
From: IL
If you got something from the dealer saying your clutch is worn and you literally just bought it from Carmax, then go back to carmax and have them replace the clutch or give you a discount on the car to match the cost of a clutch down the road as it blows out. Granted it "May" not be the clutch but you have no idea if the car was driven by a 16 year old who learned to drive a stick on the thing either....
Can someone tell me if it WAS the clutch, even though I think it's just the way the transmission is supposed to be, wouldn't it affect more gears than just 2 and 3? 4 and 5 shift fine all the time. 3 acts up sometimes, and 2nd acts up almost all the time until the car's completely warm. I thought it was normal, and still kind of do think what I'm experiencing is nothing to worry about...
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,075
From: MI
Hello everyone.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So, I've got a 2008 Mustang GT with 37k miles on it. I've had it since April 2nd, and I've loved the car. However, I've noticed I get a 2nd gear notch or crunch very often, especially when cold, and sometimes going into third.
I took it into the local Ford dealer (bought it at Carmax) expecting to be told that it was either completely normal or that MAYBE TSB 08-9-6 applies. Instead when they were done with the drive they said the clutch was wearing prematurely. I think that's a lie, and here's my theory:
They told me that so that if anything WAS wrong, it'd be coming out of my pocket considering the clutch is a wear and tear part, so it's not covered. Also it's a good excuse to not do anything as I should "drive it until it gets worse as it's pointless to tear apart the tranny this early."
I don't believe it, as I think it's just that when I drive I often drive distances of about 7 miles, sometimes less, and that doesn't give the car the proper time to warm up, and I accepted that's just the nature of these trannies to be notchy especially when cold. While driving home, after it had been run for a good half hour, it shifted almost butter smooth, with a slight notch at times, but much better than when it's cold. It's also been cold outside as I live near Chicago, so I had accepted in my mind that it shifts rough in the cold as well.
I was expecting to walk out of there being told it's fine. I know these things aren't meant to shift like BMW's or anything, it's a muscle car. Has anyone heard of anything like this? I assumed it was fine...if it is the clutch then I want to get on the 30 day period from carmax. I just don't think these are the symptoms of a going clutch. It doesn't grind, just a large notchy feeling while shifting while the car's warming up. Is this normal?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This is Deysha with Ford Customer Service. You can also get a second opinion if you’d like at another Ford dealer. If you chose to do so and need further assistance, please message me with your dealer, VIN, mileage, and contact info.
Deysha
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 152
From:
Just an FYI...in my past dealings with Ford Corporate...I would HIGHLY SUGGEST NOT GIVING THEM YOUR INFO....as they will ensure that every dealership going forward will give you the same exact answer.... After my Airbag debacle I can guarantee you that corporate is looking out for their own *** vice trying to do what is right for you.
Just deal with the service managers and steer clear of corporate and hopefully you get lucky and get one that will stand behind their product.
Just deal with the service managers and steer clear of corporate and hopefully you get lucky and get one that will stand behind their product.
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,075
From: MI
Hi RedRider0151,
I understand your experience in the past may not have been up to your expectations. However, everything gets looked at on a case by case basis. Not everyone’s outcome will be the same. But, I do agree with customers dealing with their Service Managers first so they can explore all available resources to resolve any concern.
Deysha
I understand your experience in the past may not have been up to your expectations. However, everything gets looked at on a case by case basis. Not everyone’s outcome will be the same. But, I do agree with customers dealing with their Service Managers first so they can explore all available resources to resolve any concern.
Deysha
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 608
From: Clearwater FL
I would get a second opinion and maybe see if carmax can inspect the clutch too. See if you can find a reputable performance shop and see what they say. If you find RedRider's post about his airbag you will see that dealing with corporate is like punching a bear in the face. Sure you can do it, but there is most likely going to be some pain involved.
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