hard to shift into 1st gear?

Pharmacist · 08-04-2009, 10:31 PM

Not sure why but it seems very hard/impossible to shift into first gear without the car almost coming to a complete stop. Today, I tried to shift into 1st gear at 40 km/h while approaching a stop sign coasting with the clutch disengaged, and the gear just whined made a grinding noise but wouldn't engage, it only engaged when the car was almost at a dead stop. I've also noticed that on a few other manual cars i test drove. Don't first gears usually come with synchros like other gears? Why is it so hard to get into first gear?

MC · 08-04-2009, 10:50 PM

yea this is normal its designed that way on purpose you dont really need to be in first unless your at a complete stop or barely just rolling anyway

rudi · 08-04-2009, 11:21 PM

I wouldn't even think of going to 2nd at that speed. I would only change to first if I was at a complete stop.

INSURANCE101 · 08-04-2009, 11:25 PM

...your not supposed to shift into first going 40 lol

FricFrac · 08-05-2009, 02:42 AM

... that's why I carry a five pound sledge hammer - gets it in every time...

zZSportZz · 08-05-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSURANCE101

...your not supposed to shift into first going 40 lol

He did say km tho...thats about 25 mph (24.something)

RCZ · 08-05-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

... that's why I carry a five pound sledge hammer - gets it in every time...

I usually just wedge against the seat and crush it into first with my foot. Sometimes I have to kick it several times.

Yes this is a joke for those who can't grasp the idea that I'm being facetious.

m4a1mustang · 08-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Like everyone is saying, first gear is pretty much useless unless you are accelerating from a dead stop. To avoid issues like this, don't shift into 1st unless you are at a dead stop.

Forrest · 08-05-2009, 04:26 PM

i thought the same thing as you originaly, but you can almost allways put it into second unless your roll is coming to a complete stop like at 1mph or slower. Just play with the clutch so it doesnt jerk to much if your going slow.

fuct · 08-05-2009, 04:34 PM

my IS will let me slide it into first if im creeping around 5mph... other than that its impossible.

gatorfast · 08-05-2009, 04:56 PM

lol yea like others saying, 1st only is only for complete stop or barely moving...wouldnt synchro rev match make it wasy though if you did want to downshift at 40mk/h?

Pharmacist · 08-05-2009, 06:22 PM

I only shift into first when coming to a complete stop. but sometimes, when approaching a stop sign or red light, I try to get into 1st while cruising to a stop, so I can accelerate quickly without waiting to shift gears. That's why I noticed the impossibility of getting 1st gear when the car is moving.

Well, no one answered my question of WHY 1st gear is so hard to get into? Isn't it synchronized? If it is synchronized, why is it so much harder to shift into 1st than the other 5 gears? I've noticed it's a lot easier to get 1st if I double clutch. As if it is non synchronized. Is that the case or is the synchro for 1st gear just too small and weak to do anything?

zilent_jay · 08-11-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

I only shift into first when coming to a complete stop. but sometimes, when approaching a stop sign or red light, I try to get into 1st while cruising to a stop, so I can accelerate quickly without waiting to shift gears. That's why I noticed the impossibility of getting 1st gear when the car is moving.

Well, no one answered my question of WHY 1st gear is so hard to get into? Isn't it synchronized? If it is synchronized, why is it so much harder to shift into 1st than the other 5 gears? I've noticed it's a lot easier to get 1st if I double clutch. As if it is non synchronized. Is that the case or is the synchro for 1st gear just too small and weak to do anything?

It is synchronized. Almost all cars are hard to get into first gear if you're moving. I think it has to do with the fact it's such a large reduction in gearing... and yes... the synchro for first is not a triple cone like second. I think the manual recommends not shifting into first if you're moving... but if you double clutch there shouldn't be any issue really.

08-04-2009, 10:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	hard to shift into 1st gear? Not sure why but it seems very hard/impossible to shift into first gear without the car almost coming to a complete stop. Today, I tried to shift into 1st gear at 40 km/h while approaching a stop sign coasting with the clutch disengaged, and the gear just whined made a grinding noise but wouldn't engage, it only engaged when the car was almost at a dead stop. I've also noticed that on a few other manual cars i test drove. Don't first gears usually come with synchros like other gears? Why is it so hard to get into first gear?

08-04-2009, 10:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
MC Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,238 Drives: 2015 GTR NISMO Rep Power: 24	yea this is normal its designed that way on purpose you dont really need to be in first unless your at a complete stop or barely just rolling anyway __________________ 2015 GT-R N1SMO "THE ONE" Instagram MCGTRN1SMO Youtube MCGTRNISMO

08-05-2009, 02:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	... that's why I carry a five pound sledge hammer - gets it in every time... __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

08-05-2009, 09:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Like everyone is saying, first gear is pretty much useless unless you are accelerating from a dead stop. To avoid issues like this, don't shift into 1st unless you are at a dead stop. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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08-04-2009, 11:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
rudi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 306 Drives: 370Z Australian Spec Rep Power: 16	I wouldn't even think of going to 2nd at that speed. I would only change to first if I was at a complete stop.

08-04-2009, 11:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
INSURANCE101 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: palm beach, FL Posts: 182 Drives: susp. dl untill sept Rep Power: 16	...your not supposed to shift into first going 40 lol

08-05-2009, 04:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	i thought the same thing as you originaly, but you can almost allways put it into second unless your roll is coming to a complete stop like at 1mph or slower. Just play with the clutch so it doesnt jerk to much if your going slow.

08-05-2009, 04:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	my IS will let me slide it into first if im creeping around 5mph... other than that its impossible.

08-05-2009, 04:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
gatorfast Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoFla Posts: 120 Drives: Z4 M Coupe Rep Power: 289	lol yea like others saying, 1st only is only for complete stop or barely moving...wouldnt synchro rev match make it wasy though if you did want to downshift at 40mk/h?

08-05-2009, 06:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	I only shift into first when coming to a complete stop. but sometimes, when approaching a stop sign or red light, I try to get into 1st while cruising to a stop, so I can accelerate quickly without waiting to shift gears. That's why I noticed the impossibility of getting 1st gear when the car is moving. Well, no one answered my question of WHY 1st gear is so hard to get into? Isn't it synchronized? If it is synchronized, why is it so much harder to shift into 1st than the other 5 gears? I've noticed it's a lot easier to get 1st if I double clutch. As if it is non synchronized. Is that the case or is the synchro for 1st gear just too small and weak to do anything?