Hard shifting into first gear; normal?

[russv]

Having driven manuals for many, many years I have found shifting into first a little hard with most cars. What I have done is to shift first into second, then into first. Seems to go in better.

[Septic]

A couple of months ago I test drove a manual and didn't notice an issue of shifting into / finding first. I decided to change my order from auto to manual. Fast forward to this week when the manual I ordered arrived. It was almost night and day compared to the other FRS I test drove. At first I expected it may be me since I am still rather novice at manual shifting. When my wife, who drove manuals (albeit not in the last couple of years), attempted to shift into first - got so fustrated she gave up. Ended up going back to the dealer and being placed on the wait list for an auto.

The only difference between the two cars is the one I test drove had about 300 miles on it, while the one I had ordered arrived with 6 miles.

Would that make a difference?

[Tainen]

Originally Posted by russv

Having driven manuals for many, many years I have found shifting into first a little hard with most cars. What I have done is to shift first into second, then into first. Seems to go in better.

Essentially doing a 2-1 downshift is forcing the car to use the synchros more effectively. My 1st gear in my WRX always gave me problems, and a 2-1 downshift always worked significantly better than going straight into 1st, same as you describe. There's a synchro in between 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 on the vertical row pattern of the tranny (Correct me if I'm wrong tranny masters)

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Essentially doing a 2-1 downshift is forcing the car to use the synchros more effectively. My 1st gear in my WRX always gave me problems, and a 2-1 downshift always worked significantly better than going straight into 1st, same as you describe. There's a synchro in between 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 on the vertical row pattern of the tranny (Correct me if I'm wrong tranny masters)

There's a synchro on every gear, it's not between gears. I haven't thought about what scenarios would cause a problem with shifting into 1st, but between 1 and 2 the gear ratio gap is usually the largest by far, and so the synchros do the most work in those 2.

[jurjurson]

Originally Posted by blalor

I've got about 80 miles on my manual-trans BRZ. I'm having a hard time getting it into first gear, and 2nd seems more difficult than it should be. 3rd and 4th feel fairly normal. From a stop light with the trans in neutral, I'll put the clutch all the way in, then move the shifter into first. Most of the time the shifter doesn't want to move forward. When it doesn't want to go in, I can hear a faint whine from the transmission when I apply pressure to the shifter.

This is definitely not normal in most circumstances; is it common for a new car to need a little time before the transmission loosens up?

u gotta break it in. put some muscle to it and thrust it in like a man.

"thats what she said"

[Tainen]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

There's a synchro on every gear, it's not between gears. I haven't thought about what scenarios would cause a problem with shifting into 1st, but between 1 and 2 the gear ratio gap is usually the largest by far, and so the synchros do the most work in those 2.

definitely a synchro in every gear, but I thought that the synchros lined up between 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 better or something? I guess I dunno so I'll shut up

[QFry]

I always double pump the clutch in my 240 (and spec v b4 it was totaled) to get it into first easily...otherwise same thing...2-1 downshift when slightly rolling. I always thought it was normal for MT's to not WANT to go into first to keep you from accidental 2-1 shifts i was always told there was an actual blocking ring in manuals to prevent grinding gears...

[Rossi]

I have the same problem, but only in the mornings when it's cold, might be that the gearbox hasn't warmed up, not sure, had the same in my Mini Cooper I had, also only in the mornings.

[eriktherod]

I've noticed it's a lot easier now with a new shift knob. Maybe it's the mileage breaking it all in (2500mi) or something. I rarely have that problem now, and I feel it's the knob.

[zERoTu]

I now have this problem and its getting annoying. it happens to me when my car is warm. I changed the clutch and to a lightweight flywheel but this started happening about a month after i installed the aftermarket clutch.


in the morning no problems at all..it happens in about 30 mins. once I stop on a red light, and then try to get into first gear, it doesn't want to. I literally have to push it in with so much force. same thing when I try to reverse park. its a pain in the ass trying to park now.


and there is some rattling going on too when its at idle. I have to get this checked out.


-ed

[pleong]

Originally Posted by zERoTu

I now have this problem and its getting annoying. it happens to me when my car is warm. I changed the clutch and to a lightweight flywheel but this started happening about a month after i installed the aftermarket clutch.


in the morning no problems at all..it happens in about 30 mins. once I stop on a red light, and then try to get into first gear, it doesn't want to. I literally have to push it in with so much force. same thing when I try to reverse park. its a pain in the ass trying to park now.


and there is some rattling going on too when its at idle. I have to get this checked out.


-ed

I just bled my clutch and it shifts a lot better.. Try that

[Scion_Swine]

I might have to revive this thread, hopefully.

last month my car blew the throw out bearing so I had the whole clutch replaced at the dealership. after a break in period the clutch makes a "whoop" noise when I press it in (everytime) and I can even feel the "noise" through the pedal. since then it has been hard to engage first gear. I would have to try to get into first only to back out then go back in ( all while never releasing the clutch). I can hear and sometimes feel the gears go in when i try the first time and the second time is always smooth. it was never this rough before the new clutch even though the old clutch was supposedly having a problem where the throw out bearing not fully disengage. Any ideas?


going to replace the clutch and break fluid this Friday. lets see what happens.

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

I might have to revive this thread, hopefully.

last month my car blew the throw out bearing so I had the whole clutch replaced at the dealership. after a break in period the clutch makes a "whoop" noise when I press it in (everytime) and I can even feel the "noise" through the pedal. since then it has been hard to engage first gear. I would have to try to get into first only to back out then go back in ( all while never releasing the clutch). I can hear and sometimes feel the gears go in when i try the first time and the second time is always smooth. it was never this rough before the new clutch even though the old clutch was supposedly having a problem where the throw out bearing not fully disengage. Any ideas?


going to replace the clutch and break fluid this Friday. lets see what happens.

My car was making that whoop noise from brand new. Letting off the gas a tad longer before stomping on the clutch puts a stop to that. As for the first gear, press the clutch, wait a second or two, and then slot it in. It'll go in smooth as butter. Try to engage first too soon after clutching in and it doesn't want to. Hope this helps. Also make sure the clutch is in all the way before you move the gear lever.

[dhuang]

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

I might have to revive this thread, hopefully...

I have similar issues, but with my ACT clutch kit (installed to address a failing TOB as well).
After following the proper break-in procedure, it started showing symptoms around 5k on the new clutch.

Symptoms include:

• Sometimes can't get into 1st gear (or any gear) from a dead stop.
  Have to either force it in, or hold down the clutch pedal for 5+ seconds and it goes in w/o issue.
• Once I'm able to select a gear, I can go back to neutral and select any gear without resistance, so long as I keep the clutch pedal depressed.
• Has no problem changing gear once the car is moving.
• Doesn't exhibit this issue if the car is cold.
  Happens most often if I've been driving for a while, and if the ambient temperature is above 85F.

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

going to replace the clutch and break fluid this Friday. lets see what happens.

Let us know what you find!