Myth: Resting Your Hand on the Shifter

Design

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I see a lot of discussion on this and wanted to put this myth to rest somewhat. While it's true that transmission-mount shifters are sensitive to pressure, most FWD platforms including Civics have cable-mounted shifters and are not subject to the same sensitivity. This has been corroborated in my conversations with a couple local Master Techs here in So Cal.

While I don't advocate resting your hand on the shifter purposely, it's not going to significantly harm anything - providing you're not deliberately placing excessive F/R pressure on the shifter.

Carry on. :)



Resources:

Si Shifter Assembly

Honda Civic 10th gen Myth: Resting Your Hand on the Shifter upload_2018-1-11_9-25-17


Explanation of the impact of resting your hand on the shifter:





Competing theory from EE. Note that he specifically calls out a transmission-mounted assembly.

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Scarlet

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Dumbest thing I've ever seen, lol.
 

5inn

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I recommend resting both hands on the wheel.:drive:
 

Civics4Ever

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callmehandsum

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I rest my hand on the shifter but use light pressure. I doubt I'm harming any component. I think/hope.
 

jakabony

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I've logged probably close to 200k miles driving a manual vehicle over the past 20 years, and I have off and on rested my hand on the shifter, with no issue ever. Nothing ever ceases to amaze me.
 

erbee

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Next myth : you can shift without using clutch and won't damage the car .
 

WhiteCivicSi

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I rest my hand on the sport mode button so I can accidentally turn it on and off continuously
 


HRC

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Next myth : you can shift without using clutch and won't damage the car .
Both Upshift and downshift are possible without using the clutch.
 

3925blue

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Both Upshift and downshift are possible without using the clutch.
Yeah, I've always thought this was pretty simple. Just wait until revs match up and slide it right into gear with light pressure. I don't do it often, but it's never occurred to me that it might cause "damage". Maybe microscopic additional wear on synchros?
 

repeet

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For the forty five years I've been driving manual transmissions, and using the shifter as a hand rest, have I ever had to repair a shifter assembly or manual transmission.
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