Darryl W

Normally, I don't experience a hitch when shifting from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to third. I only experience it when staying in second and changing throttle position abrubtly. When I smoothly modulate throttle, the car responds smoothly, although admittedly not as well as in 4th and 5th, where the throttle is like a hot knife through butter!<p>My advice, which may not apply, would be to make less abrubt changes in 1st and second in heavy traffic, but when you're merging or launching from stop onto higher speed roads, open it up more and see if your shifter is still notchy. <p>Is notchy the right word for it? Does the shifter have trouble going into second, with the clutch fully depressed? If so, I never have that problem, and I would mention it to your tech. There is probably a weak or out-of alignment synchro or (forget the name - the tooth gear that lines up the shifter with the synchro - my Z sometimes has this problem and it is definately different from the hitch that I feel in my A4, which I think is normal (although sloppy) driveline behavior.<p>Since you notice the problem warm, I'd say it's your second gear. Sounds like worn out transmission oil in an otherwise good transmission. Hmm. Good luck at the dealer.<p>Take "Insider"'s advice with you - maybe that'll help.<p>Darryl