Gearbox Stiffness?
 

Sometimes regardless of hot/cold temperature outside, I find it hard to shift in first gear for a few times after starting up my car & warming it up. I just pull over for a sec and try again, with a little more force. This happens randomly and today I was having this problem (hot outside) but the gearbox made a low audible noise as I was shifting into 1st and when this happens I push the clutch back in and try again. I'm not sure if this is normal but I always make sure to press in the clutch all the way before shifting. Is this normal?

It didn't sound like a gears grinding, maybe it's just slipping out of gear. Do you recommend I put in a little more force during shifting?


This is my first manual transmission car and I wouldn't consider myself oblivious with the mechanics of driving stick. I have gotten lessons and driven friend's cars and I have ~800mi on the tach. Thank you!:drool:

It's normal. Try always going through the gears even when clutch in. Also put it in 3rd then 2nd then 1st. Also do 2nd 1st before putting it in reverse. Rev matching also helps. If your going 10mph in 2nd you will have to rev to 5k rpm's with a slow clutch out to hit 1st smoothly. Welcome to owning a subaru manual transmission.

Try shifting into first just before coming to a complete stop and you should find it easier.

I took it for a drive again, I didn't have a problem with it slipping or having a hard time shifting in first. But thanks for the comments!

What had happened maybe was because I didn't drive it for a couple days, I needed more time to warm up the car.