How to baby your transmission?

[svlkid]

I have a  neighbor who puts his Epic into gear slowly to avoid "clunk" and baby the trans. Another friend says the opposite - less grind and more clunk is easier on the transmission.
Who's correct? Do we have any experts out there who can give us a definite answer?Ho

(Sorry this shows up in two forums - us newbies make mistakes)

[blindside]

I always put mine into gear slowly but I'm not sure which is better. I think any clunk is bad.

[slalom21]

...got to go with ease it into gear...the guys I've known driving other boats (MC's, Malibu's, Nautiques) never jammed it into gear.  If anyone else drives my boat I tell them unless it's an emergency, ease it into gear.  If your boat is a "she" for sure ease it in...to gear.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[toyotafreak]

I was told (perhaps by owner's manual?) to be positive in that first forty degrees - don't do it half-assed. Mind you, I'd never go from neutral straight into power, but neutral to idle in something under a second, pause and then feed in the throttle. *** I'm no expert ***

[boneil]

Word I use when putting into gear is "smartly!"  This carries a slight sense of urgency.  I've never heard my trany complain about it.

Brian

[epic_toy]

Agree with Derek. Don't let it grind.

[Reo]

[skiboarder]

Lots of motors like outboards kinda clunk when you put them into gear. I let mine clunk.

[svlkid]

Straight from the manual, here's the complete text. Thanks to everybody for their input!

When shifting, always move the control lever smoothly and quickly into gear. DO NOT hesitate. Slow gear engagement could damage the shifting mechanism in the transmission. Always allow the engine speed to fall to idle before shifting, or gear damage may result.

[svlkid]

Thanks Reo, you nailed it right on the head. I just had to verify it for myself.