Hard Shifting Need Help!!

[Beasterling125]

I have a 2015 MT Frs with 45000 miles. I've owned it for 5000. Recently it has been having problems with 1st and 2nd shifting. It has gotten a lot worse since we have been getting this cold weather here in Middle TN. Shifting into 1st can be extremely rough. Shifting into 2nd from neutral is near impossible. I need y'alls advice on what the problem is and how to fix it. I'm wondering if replacing the clutch is going to fix it or not. Any advice would help. Thanks.

[cjd]

Does it improve as the car warms up?

Has the transmission fluid ever been changed?

It's not uncommon in cold weather - I found that holding a consistent rpm for a second before shifting into 2 (harder than it seems sometimes, mostly to remember) makes all the difference in the world. My car always got better once things were warmed up, though downshifting into 1 never was predictable. I can usually do it while moving with a slow double-clutch. Sometimes a bit of clutch pumping was needed even when not moving to get the car into 1st.

A change from the factory fill made it slightly more likely, but that was sort-of expected. I don't really drive in the winter though.

There are people that have reported all sorts of magic when using other various fluids, some to spec and some not to spec. Maybe worth considering.

[churchx]

If hard get into 1st is at higher then 4-5mph, except if with very well executed revmatch, i wouldn't bother. It's purposedly designed this way to not allow misshift into 1st & overrev killing engine or gearbox unless stationary or at very slow speed.
IF it's common trait for twins gearbox when cold hard shift into 2nd, that goes away after 5 minutes of driving, i wouldn't care. For starters you can switch 1st-3rd, and later there should be no problems using 2nd if needed.
If it's all the time even with warmed up gearbox ..

Simplest things to check:
Have you done clutch pedal dead travel adjustment? Try reverting it a bit dialing some dead travel back. Some clutch drug making harder gear engagement may be sooner then bite point you feel.
Also, maybe time to replace gearbox oil? Should be done of right volume, as too much/too little may also make gearshifts worse.
If it's something worse, eg. worn synchros or alike, or clutch is due to replacement .. maybe worth to get to dealership to check.

[Ultramaroon]

Cold weather makes for molasses in the gearbox. Never mind the magical fluids. For first or reverse, engage a different gear to jostle the gearset a little. Then go back to what you need. Don't force. It may take a couple tries. Perfectly ok.

For that first-to-second upshift, the trick is to do it quickly before the midshaft has an opportunity to spin down. Again, it's not about forcing. It's about not pausing in neutral.

If you miss the opportunity, while in neutral, release the clutch and blip the throttle. Then quickly before the engine spools down, push in the clutch and shift to second.

This is the mythical double-clutch. Yes, the technique is still relevant for a modern manual transmission. I encourage practicing it.

[Beasterling125]

Originally Posted by churchx

If hard get into 1st is at higher then 4-5mph, except if with very well executed revmatch, i wouldn't bother. It's purposedly designed this way to not allow misshift into 1st & overrev killing engine or gearbox unless stationary or at very slow speed.
IF it's common trait for twins gearbox when cold hard shift into 2nd, that goes away after 5 minutes of driving, i wouldn't care. For starters you can switch 1st-3rd, and later there should be no problems using 2nd if needed.
If it's all the time even with warmed up gearbox ..

Simplest things to check:
Have you done clutch pedal dead travel adjustment? Try reverting it a bit dialing some dead travel back. Some clutch drug making harder gear engagement may be sooner then bite point you feel.
Also, maybe time to replace gearbox oil? Should be done of right volume, as too much/too little may also make gearshifts worse.
If it's something worse, eg. worn synchros or alike, or clutch is due to replacement .. maybe worth to get to dealership to check.

I changed the fluid with Royal Purple about 4000 miles ago. And as far as the pedal dead travel adjustment I will have to look into. Shifting gets better when warm and in warmer weather. But I still have a problem with shifting at high rpms, sometimes it will grind when trying to shift to the next gear say 2-3rd or 3-4th even when warmed up.