kevinj4891

Don't know if anyone has posted before, but asking anyways. Does any one know about, or had happen to them, problems trying to shift into 1st or reverse after starting up in the morning? i live in So. California, so its not like it's freezing, but some mornings, after i start my car up, it gives me a hassle to try and get it into gear. It's a brand new 08 Sport and i've only put 5,000 miles on it. i try to pump the clutch and try to finesse it into gear. Once it does work, no problems. Just wondering if anyone else has had the problem.

DaBuzzard

Mine is stiff as hell first thing in the am too....little colder here though

Once its warmed up a bit it is fine, my 535i (285000 km) is the same so I'm thinking it's not a real problem.

sean_halla

I have had a few problems every now and again.. nothing serious.
I'll just let it sit for a couple seconds, then it pops right into gear.

Cobaltxfe09

mine does this also. its been like 30 degrees here in the morning. i find that if i take it trough the gears with clutch in like 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, its fine. works for me.

kevinj4891

i do the same occasionally.
So the conclusion i come to is that it is a normal thing that happens to people and there should be no worry about it.
If i am wrong, some one please describe to us what is wrong.

killalee4

Yea its normal for clutches to do that sometimes , if it wont go in 1st or reverse, put it in 2nd or 3rd and then try 1st again and it should go. Nothin to worry about!!!

slowswap

The tranny fluid is still a little thick, that's why it can be hard to get in gear. Let it warm up for a few minutes before you drive.

Jn2

iTrader: (1)

i get the same thing for the same gears, only happends on cold starts, still anoying as ****...especially when im at a light and i cant go into first...hate that ****...i knwo for mine it does it when its cold, and at random when im at a light, but i gave up givig it chances, i force it into gear, feels like a wall, i used to play between 3 and 4, now its so anoying i just force the bitch into first...once it becomes more constant the dealer said to bring it in to get it warantied

killalee4

DO NOT FORCE IT INTO GEAR, you could break your clutch and your GEAR, reminder that the clutch isnt warrantied and could cost you $1100 or more. Plus if you break your gear, u still have to pay for labor even though its warrantied

slowswap

I highly doubt you'd break your clutch from forcing it into gear. If you're not moving you won't even harm the gear.

killalee4

It happened to me before, You can damage your gear. Being in motion or not. Keep doing it and see what happens. Things arnt suppose to be forced into place. If it doesnt go eventually, dont force it. find out whats causing the problem...

Dave7417

You cannot "break a clutch". A clutch is simply a coupling between the engine and transmission. If the clutch pedal is fully depressed, the engine and transmission are totally disengaged.

You cannot break "your GEAR" either. I assume you literally mean the teeth on the gears. What is happening is a slight binding in the gear selection cables, and probably a butting of the teeth of the gears (and synchros). It is not a serious problem, but as the poster suggested, do not force. Use a little finesse, let out the clutch partially to spin the gears, and try again.

slowswap

Thank you.

killalee4

When i say break, i dont mean break like a pencil, Obviously i mean the teeth of the gears (what else), and If u keep grinding the teeth , by by old, hello new gear, i took my solstice in last year because of this and they replaced it

The main point is, do not force gears. Shift smoothly, and don't ride the damn clutch. If u cannot get in first or reverse, try other gears first then try 1st and reverse again.

kevinj4891

ya, i have problems randomly at a light too. does any one know if i can upgrade the fluid to royal purple or something to help get rid of it. i have 5k miles on it, so it's not necassary, but if it fixes the prob and makes it work better, then i'll do it

Jplaya023

yea just dump it into second and try it again...if not put it back into second and it should definitely go into first no problem....very common issue on most manual transmission cars

slowswap

Royal Purple is worse in the cold weather. All you have to do is let your car warm up, which you should be doing anyways before you drive.

kevinj4891

thanks for the comments. im not worried any more. this is actually my first manual car. i've know how to drive them for a while, just never owned one, so i still havent come across all the tricks/problems yet.

chevy cobalt 08

I have that issue some times but my main issue from cold start is when the rpms drop faster than usual between shifts and the clutch bites HARD causing it to jerk. Only when the car is cold tho.