Cold transmission hard to shift from 1st to 2nd
 

Just a quick poll to see if I'm the only one with this issue. Every morning for the first 5 minutes or so of my drive (while the engine/tranny are still warming up), it is damn near impossible to shift from 1st to 2nd without considerable effort. The shifter doesn't want to come out of 1st, and doesn't want to go into 2nd once I finally get it out of first. And when it does go into second (after considerable coaxing/repeated attempts at rev blipping/matching), it makes the neat transmission metal-on-metal sound. I'm wondering if switching to a different MTF would help, or if this is just a normal issue I should get used to. Now that I think about it, my fiance's WRX is difficult to shift from 1st to 2nd in the morning too, but her transmission isn't as noisy. Thoughts?

You have a problem and should take it to the dealer.

i have a feeling empower-auto is right.
Mine doesn't feel like that at all. If it did, it would be something i'd definitely wanted fixed...

Sounds like what was happening with that dude who had no Trans Fluid...

Hmm... reading this: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=10625&page=2 apparently other people have the same issue when their transmission is cold. Everything is perfectly normal once the car is warmed up.

I think theres always a bit of "notchyness" when the car is first warmed up. but not to the extend that your describing. That thread seems to suggest the people with excessive difficulties to see the dealer too.

Cant hurt to get it checked out right?

Alright, will do. Thanks :)

My transmission is notchy when cold. However - notchy doesn't suggest it takes any extra effort to shift. It just feels different.

If you have to put in more physical effort to shift and you're getting heavy grinding there's definitely something wrong - even if it's just low fluid.

Now .. if the fluid somehow got that low on a brand new car and damage has been done - I'd be asking for warranty service .. and not just a free top-up.

I find 1-2nd is notchy most of the time, especially when cold....really need about 4-5 miles to warm it up. Otherwise, I would have to double clutch *OR* ride the pedal for at least 2 seconds, wriggle the stick and go in 2nd slowly. But I say 50% of the time it would grind a bit. This gear box feels and behave exactly like my Honda S2000 AP1. The higher rev, the smoother the gear changes get...in my S2000. Will see how this car feels once I am able to rev above 4k rpm (still at breakin period).

By the way, having a heavy shifter knob really helps.

No issues here. Smooth as heck.. Cold or not.