hard to put into 1st gear?

rollinondubs · Jan 30, 2003

Lately ive been noticing that in the mornings (when its cold and the car hasnt been driven for a while) my car is quite hard to get into 1st gear. I have to jiggle/shove harder than normal to get it in gear, sometimes even have to try a couple times before i can get it in gear. Its only like this for the first 3 or 4 shifts into first, then it starts to lighten up and work normally.
Any ideas on whats the problem? or is it just normal in the cold weather or what?

GriffinMoss · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (rollinondubs)

Mine too

EuroticallyRed · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (GriffinMoss)

i have the same problem....i'm thinking it's a worn clutch

rollinondubs · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (EuroticallyRed)

but JUST first gear though? wouldnt that affect all gears?

EuroGLX · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (rollinondubs)

same here. hard to get in 1st and 2nd some times. pisses me off

CroatiaVW · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (EuroGLX)

I have a new clutch, and I have the same problem. It only started happening when this crazy single digit weather started here in NJ

rollinondubs · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (CroatiaVW)

hopefully its just the cold then

rtmeikle · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (rollinondubs)

My car has been hard to get into first gear every once in a while since it was brand new. I don't think it's gotten better or worse. Mine's not related to cold. I think it just has something to do with the gears not being lined up occassionally. I just put it into second, let the clutch out a bit, and then back into first.
ROB

98JettaGT · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (rollinondubs)

I used to have this problem in the cold, but I changed to Redline MT-90 gear oil in the tranny. It helped make it much easier to get thru the gears. The stock gear oil is like peanut butter when its cold.

VDoubleUVR6 · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (98JettaGT)

I've had the same problem where I couldn't put it in first but only once in a while this would happen. I tried everything from double clutching to shifting into second before I put it in first and most of the time nothing. I just put it in second and get it to move acouple inches then pop it into first and it goes. Weird

...might be a VW thing from what it sounds like....and obviously when its cold out things tend to be alittle bit more tighter feeling and the shifter to be stiffer in movement.

SilverBeautyJetta · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (VDoubleUVR6)

replace your tranny fluid with redline or bg syncroshift or gm synchromesh
its the cold tranny fluid that takes a while to heat up..... either put in synthetic fluids or just let your car warm up for 10 mins before you drive

Sandra Christina · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (SilverBeautyJetta)

My car does it too and it's definitely cold weather related.
Since we're on the topic (sorta), my car takes FOREVER to warm up. I can let it sit for 10 minutes and it does little progress. Even my p.o.s. Mitsubishi warmed up quicker

Any reason why this may be? Anyone else have this problem? I know it's cold out and all but it's a bit on the ridiculous side how long it can take.
Thank you!

[Modified by GTi driver found, 4:13 PM 1-30-2003]

2pointslowgtizzy · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (GTi driver found)

cast iron block vs aluminum block, fluids like everyone else said.

i dunno my car does it too, bad. a vw thing i guess. our trans suck ass.

ScrubADub · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (2pointslowgtizzy)

My car has been the same way, especially 1st and 3rd gears.

It's also very cold and snowy, so I'm sure it's the weather. I think I'm going to try replacing the fluids like suggested above and see if that helps.

ricardo · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (ScrubADub)

you guys can adjust the gear stick ---with an allen wrench take offf the boot and loosen the allen bolt the one close to the white ball on the stickshift

EchoOfGecko · Jan 30, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (GTi driver found)

quote:[HR][/HR]My car does it too and it's definitely cold weather related.
Since we're on the topic (sorta), my car takes FOREVER to warm up. I can let it sit for 10 minutes and it does little progress. Even my p.o.s. Mitsubishi warmed up quicker

Any reason why this may be? Anyone else have this problem? I know it's cold out and all but it's a bit on the ridiculous side how long it can take.
Thank you![HR][/HR]

You shouldn't cold idle your car like that, it lubricates less efficiently, wastes gas, and is bad for the planet.
The best thing to do is simply drive easily for a few miles or so. The engine lubricates it's self much better when it's working that it does at idle. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

eurican · Jan 31, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (EchoOfGecko)

quote:[HR][/HR]My car does it too and it's definitely cold weather related.
Since we're on the topic (sorta), my car takes FOREVER to warm up. I can let it sit for 10 minutes and it does little progress. Even my p.o.s. Mitsubishi warmed up quicker

Any reason why this may be? Anyone else have this problem? I know it's cold out and all but it's a bit on the ridiculous side how long it can take.
Thank you!
You shouldn't cold idle your car like that, it lubricates less efficiently, wastes gas, and is bad for the planet.
The best thing to do is simply drive easily for a few miles or so. The engine lubricates it's self much better when it's working that it does at idle. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif [HR][/HR]

Yeah i was doing this also, but i just let it sit for a minute or two and drive it slow keeping it under 3000! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Air_Cooled_Nut · Jan 31, 2003

Re: hard to put into 1st gear? (GTi driver found)

quote:[HR][/HR]My car does it too and it's definitely cold weather related.
Since we're on the topic (sorta), my car takes FOREVER to warm up. I can let it sit for 10 minutes and it does little progress. Even my p.o.s. Mitsubishi warmed up quicker

Any reason why this may be? Anyone else have this problem? I know it's cold out and all but it's a bit on the ridiculous side how long it can take.[HR][/HR]

Thermostat is stuck open most likely.
Driving it will warm it up faster than letting it idle -- which is not good for the engine anyway (extended idling periods).
The stock tranny fluid is synthetic. My parts guy showed me the can of fluid the dealership uses. However, replacing it with some fresh synthetic tranny oil (typically it's 75w-90) won't hurt http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by Air_Cooled_Nut, 11:24 PM 1-30-2003]

hard to put into 1st gear?

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