Hard time getting in gears

Calvin

For some reason, when I first engage my clutch to shift into either First Gear or Reverse, I literally have to force the gear in with 70% of my strength, if I don't let go of the clutch after being in gear, I can shift smoothly back and forth.

After I release the clutch, as I clutch in again to shift back into first, the gear becomes super stiff and hard to shift into again, while clutch is still engaged i can shift freely and smoothly after the first shift being stiff and hard,

sorry for sounding like a noob but is anyone also getting this problem or know what is the cause of this?

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jaedub

I know what your talking about. Yeah, its hard to explain. Anyhow....once youre stuck in that position trying to force the gear in, ease up the clutch and give it a little gas while shifting. Your gear will go in without you straining yourself.

So next time, dont force it. Just lean the knob naturally into your desired gear while gently pushing the gas and easing up the clutch.

If it dont work then it could be some other problem.

supraman626

i have the same problem shifting into first during a cold start, but goes away after a couple mins of driving, try maybe changing the trans fluid to redline. I've this topic b4 on other threads, if that doesn't work then i would say to take it to the dealer.

Sizzle

My neutral to first and first to second shifts are stiff until it warms up as well...

USINC97

Always a little stiff when going from 1st to 2nd when first starting off. After everything warms up, no problems.

kenchan

Double clutch (clutchin, n, clutchout, clutchin, 1st or rev) and if possible let the car roll forward/aft. You should never force the lever into gear.

spearfish25

Or just work out more so it only requires 50% of your strength.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

rambunctious

Red__Zed

There's a wide range of things that could be causing this.

See what happens if you shift into second, then first. This should happen pretty easily.

You could try changing the trans fluid as well. This helps a lot of people with this issue.

Sometimes the shifter just needs an adjustment--this seems like a possible solution since you have issues with 1st and reverse.

You could be having issues due to a worn clutch, or insufficient fluid. Check that out.

There's a good chance though, that if you drive aggressively, you have damaged the synchro's. If that's the case, the 2nd to 1st trick will help for a while, but you may have to rebuild the trans eventually.


Finally, since your car is under warranty, you might just talk to Nissan about it.

Mt Tam I am

This seems to be a wide spread issue. I do not suffer from this one, just most of the other problems.

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ChrisSlicks

The oil in the transmission slows down the input shaft very quickly when the transmission is cold. For an ideal shift the input shaft needs to be still spinning when you select a gear.

If you are stationary and trying to select 1st or reverse try to do it a little more quickly. If it baulks just lift your foot of the clutch and press it down again and it should slot in the 2nd time. Giving it a small rev (1500 or so) can help get the input shaft spinning a bit more quickly before you clutch in and make it easier to select a gear.

For the 1-2 shift I usually just double clutch when it is really cold, it helps to keep the input shaft spinning just before you select the next gear.

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christian370z

When cold, once in a while it is a bit tough to shift into 1st or reverse but rowing into another gear then going back normally solves the issue. This only happens to me while the car is cold, never after I start driving.

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6MT

I didn't find mine as bad as you're describing. But I saw an improvement when I changed the fluid. Red-Line fluid showed an improvement. Just a suggestion.

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

onzedge

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chops

it used to happen to me quite often, until i was told to just throw it back into neutral, clutch in, then itll shift smoothly into 1st or R again.