Stiff Shifting When Cold
01-30-2010, 09:29 PM
#1
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Stiff Shifting When Cold
The past couple days its been extremely cold, and I've noticed that its been very difficult to shift when I try to leave in the morning.
The shifter literally feels like its in a bucket of molasses, it will not move at all, forward or backward. I have to rock it side to side until it frees up in the left/right direction, and then push it fore and aft until it will go forward enough to engage first gear. Once I get going I can get into everything except 5th, which takes a little while longer before it will go in without forcing it.
Once its warmed up fully, it shifts like butter, no issues at all.
I'm just curious if anyone else is experiencing this issue, especially those in Northern states and Canada.
I'll probably change the fluid when the weather gets warm, thats about the only reason it could be so stiff when cold and then fine once it warms up.
The shifter literally feels like its in a bucket of molasses, it will not move at all, forward or backward. I have to rock it side to side until it frees up in the left/right direction, and then push it fore and aft until it will go forward enough to engage first gear. Once I get going I can get into everything except 5th, which takes a little while longer before it will go in without forcing it.
Once its warmed up fully, it shifts like butter, no issues at all.
I'm just curious if anyone else is experiencing this issue, especially those in Northern states and Canada.
I'll probably change the fluid when the weather gets warm, thats about the only reason it could be so stiff when cold and then fine once it warms up.
01-30-2010, 09:44 PM
#3
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Mine is stiff in the morning when it's cold, but nothing to the exteme you're describing (and it's been motherfucking COLD here this past week... -20C before windchill). Mine just takes a little more effort than normal and the shifts aren't as smooth. I never have to get it unstuck or anything though.
01-30-2010, 09:52 PM
#4
Yep mine too.... and just a little FYI from my personal experience.
My old RSX-S (which are known to have really nice gearboxes, and they do) was also the same when cold. Not only that, I did change the fluid in that gear box to Amsoil. It was still the same when cold.
Actually what helped a lot cold or not was stiffer motor mounts. *shrug* But it did make sitting at idle a little bit annoying.
They do sell a shift kit for Saab.... for $27. I plan to get one... Someone posted a link on the site somewhere in another thread. That might actually help too.
My old RSX-S (which are known to have really nice gearboxes, and they do) was also the same when cold. Not only that, I did change the fluid in that gear box to Amsoil. It was still the same when cold.
Actually what helped a lot cold or not was stiffer motor mounts. *shrug* But it did make sitting at idle a little bit annoying.
They do sell a shift kit for Saab.... for $27. I plan to get one... Someone posted a link on the site somewhere in another thread. That might actually help too.
01-30-2010, 10:43 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Anyone know what kind of trans fluid the SS T/C takes and where to get it?? I've heard its GM "Manual Transmission Fluid", not Synchromesh, Dex III, or gear oil like most other manual transmissions.
01-31-2010, 01:21 AM
#7
Here's the thread about the bushings... https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...highlight=saab
01-31-2010, 03:39 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Here's the thread about the bushings... https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...highlight=saab
I don't think they will help with the hard shifting when cold though, because the issue is the viscosity of the trans fluid, not the bushings.
02-01-2010, 11:40 AM
#9
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It's normal to experience this with the shifter when it's cold like it's been in the last few days. We had -32 Celsius last Friday, it was like the whole car did not want to move. Gets better when the car starts warming up after a few minutes.
The bushings will not make a difference for this issue, however they are a great little modification for a more precise and solid shift feeling. We have them available and they were actually designed specifically for the Cobalt:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Now let's just hope the winter won't last too long this year...
Frank
TWM Performance
The bushings will not make a difference for this issue, however they are a great little modification for a more precise and solid shift feeling. We have them available and they were actually designed specifically for the Cobalt:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Now let's just hope the winter won't last too long this year...
Frank
TWM Performance
02-01-2010, 11:49 AM
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It's normal to experience this with the shifter when it's cold like it's been in the last few days. We had -32 Celsius last Friday, it was like the whole car did not want to move. Gets better when the car starts warming up after a few minutes.
The bushings will not make a difference for this issue, however they are a great little modification for a more precise and solid shift feeling. We have them available and they were actually designed specifically for the Cobalt:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Now let's just hope the winter won't last too long this year...
Frank
TWM Performance
The bushings will not make a difference for this issue, however they are a great little modification for a more precise and solid shift feeling. We have them available and they were actually designed specifically for the Cobalt:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Now let's just hope the winter won't last too long this year...
Frank
TWM Performance
02-01-2010, 01:25 PM
#12
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The past couple days its been extremely cold, and I've noticed that its been very difficult to shift when I try to leave in the morning.
The shifter literally feels like its in a bucket of molasses, it will not move at all, forward or backward. I have to rock it side to side until it frees up in the left/right direction, and then push it fore and aft until it will go forward enough to engage first gear. Once I get going I can get into everything except 5th, which takes a little while longer before it will go in without forcing it.
Once its warmed up fully, it shifts like butter, no issues at all.
I'm just curious if anyone else is experiencing this issue, especially those in Northern states and Canada.
I'll probably change the fluid when the weather gets warm, thats about the only reason it could be so stiff when cold and then fine once it warms up.
The shifter literally feels like its in a bucket of molasses, it will not move at all, forward or backward. I have to rock it side to side until it frees up in the left/right direction, and then push it fore and aft until it will go forward enough to engage first gear. Once I get going I can get into everything except 5th, which takes a little while longer before it will go in without forcing it.
Once its warmed up fully, it shifts like butter, no issues at all.
I'm just curious if anyone else is experiencing this issue, especially those in Northern states and Canada.
I'll probably change the fluid when the weather gets warm, thats about the only reason it could be so stiff when cold and then fine once it warms up.
02-01-2010, 01:37 PM
#13
When its below freezing my shifter pretty siezes up solid.... this morning I waited 20 mins for the shifter to break free..... I can move the shifter back and forth but I back wiggle it side to side.... I dunno whats wrong with it. I think I will lubricate the cv shaft when I get home today.
02-01-2010, 07:34 PM
#14
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I have noticed the same thing in the cold, but after about 1 min of driving it shifts like normal. -10 to 0 all last week.
I also have a question with shifting, not to steal this thread, but has anyone noticed that when the anti lock brakes engage that the clutch doesn't engage? Twice I have been on ice and trying to stop, the anti lock brakes kick in on the ice and I would try to put it into first to roll through the stop, but the gears grinded. I figured this is because the master cylinder is for the brakes and clutch, but this is an assumption I am making. Any thoughts on this?
I also have a question with shifting, not to steal this thread, but has anyone noticed that when the anti lock brakes engage that the clutch doesn't engage? Twice I have been on ice and trying to stop, the anti lock brakes kick in on the ice and I would try to put it into first to roll through the stop, but the gears grinded. I figured this is because the master cylinder is for the brakes and clutch, but this is an assumption I am making. Any thoughts on this?
02-01-2010, 11:34 PM
#15
New Member
ABS activation shouldn't affect clutch engagement. Yes, they both use the same reservoir. You are correct about that. That little ABS controller (under the hood with the four brake lines sticking out of it, it came from the factory with a sticker that might have said "TURBO", which is a bit silly but...) only affects hydraulic pressure after the master cylinder (only pumping your brakes).
If your wheels are locking on ice and the clutch is not fully disengaged, the car should stall.
If your wheels are locking on ice and the clutch is not fully disengaged, the car should stall.
02-01-2010, 11:51 PM
#16
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Thread Starter
When its below freezing my shifter pretty siezes up solid.... this morning I waited 20 mins for the shifter to break free..... I can move the shifter back and forth but I back wiggle it side to side.... I dunno whats wrong with it. I think I will lubricate the cv shaft when I get home today.
I also have a question with shifting, not to steal this thread, but has anyone noticed that when the anti lock brakes engage that the clutch doesn't engage?
Even if you engage the ABS with hard braking, the clutch will still work normally. They are completely separate systems, the only thing they share is a fluid reservoir.
Twice I have been on ice and trying to stop, the anti lock brakes kick in on the ice and I would try to put it into first to roll through the stop, but the gears grinded.
Even if you engage the ABS with hard braking, the clutch will still work normally. They are completely separate systems, the only thing they share is a fluid reservoir.
Twice I have been on ice and trying to stop, the anti lock brakes kick in on the ice and I would try to put it into first to roll through the stop, but the gears grinded.
I figured this is because the master cylinder is for the brakes and clutch, but this is an assumption I am making. Any thoughts on this?
Last edited by 08SSTCRD; 02-01-2010 at 11:51 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
02-02-2010, 07:24 AM
#17
This problem is guaranteed to happen every morning if below 30 degree F.
02-02-2010, 12:26 PM
#19
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02-03-2010, 12:32 AM
#21
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lol, well luckily I didnt try it then.... anyways I FEEL that it might be the metal rod that slides in and out of the white plastic tube on the left side after jiggling the shifter from left to right located under the cup holder. I think when its cold, the white plastic tube constricts the metal rod and holds it in place, if I spray alittle wd-40 on the metal part you dont think it will fix my problem.
This problem is guaranteed to happen every morning if below 30 degree F.
This problem is guaranteed to happen every morning if below 30 degree F.
Of course then it won't be cold, so I won't know if it fixed the issue lol...
02-03-2010, 01:18 PM
#22
02-04-2010, 01:40 PM
#23
Guess what: f430's, F1 vehicles, 599's, Cherry's and veyrons also possess this exact physics anomoly in common...
the ss t-c is not any different, it has the same coefficient of expansion as with any mfgr castings.
Warm it up before you expect somthing out of it!!!
brembos inclusive.
BTW everything else ie: tires, suspension, etc also has this same physics profile.
prost
the ss t-c is not any different, it has the same coefficient of expansion as with any mfgr castings.
Warm it up before you expect somthing out of it!!!
brembos inclusive.
BTW everything else ie: tires, suspension, etc also has this same physics profile.
prost
