I just got a tranny fluid and rear diff fluid change last weekend and notice that it is harder than usual to put the car in 1st gear. This is especially true when the car is first turned on for the first 5 mins, but even after that if i am on the interstate in bad traffic and im even going about 6-9 miles per hour it wont let me put it in 1st without some effort. Its not like it NEVER lets me put it in 1st but its a bit harder than before the tranny fluid change. I have 63k on my car. anyone else had this issue?

 

bump

 

I've had this issue ever since about 1000 miles on my ride. Obviously, didn't have anything to do with a fluid change... but it definitely keeps me ... without using alot of effort, to get in first gear while rolling. When the car is stopped it's usually not a problem...

 

Use rev matching.

 

Hey guys, heres a helpful tip. Any time you shift into first gear or reverse, you should always double-clutch. Even your owners manual states if you have difficulties getting into first or reverse, to double clutch. It's a good habit I picked up a long time ago, and I was surprised to see it in our owners manual. Double-clutching should take care of your "problems".

Try it and report back.

 

why would you want to drop to 1st on the freeway at 6-9mph? 2nd gear goes that far down. might as well clutch in and keep it in 2nd...i have always gone by the rule that 1st gear is only for getting rolling....after that 2nd gear will do just fine

 

True. If you're already rolling you generally don't need to drop to first, but you should never allow the engine to bog down either. Depending on your actual speed, or acceleration requirement, a downshift to first may be in order. There is nothing wrong with downshifting to first, but lugging the engine is a terrible thing to do.

If I'm already rolling and want to get back into first, a double-clutched rev-match is in order.

 

Agreed. 2nd gear is completely usable at those speeds. But if you love 1st gear that much, double clutch.

 

the viscosity of the new fluid may be to heavy,,, anyway i've always made it a habit to shift into second before going into first. the syncro's will line up for first gear every time..

 

my Z is the same, if im rolling at a low speed it is kind of hard to get it into first, give it a little blip of throttle and then try. Most of the time I definately agree with Harvester and others, the Z has plenty of torque and 2nd is usually fine. I live at the beach so it is a no brainer. If you were about to go up a hill or accelerate fast, ds into first.

 

Newer sports cars, especially 6 speeds, have tougher syncros. Trying to put the car in a lower gear then what is right for the current speed is very difficult. It is meant to do that. 1st gear's power is reserved for launching from a COMPLETE stop. 0 miles per hour is best for 1st. Even at the slightest roll, 2nd gear is the appropriate choice. As for the first five minutes, your fluids are colder and more viscous, thus making shifting throught any gear tougher than usual.

 

I was about to suggest the same thing. Basically give it a little gas while in neutral and off the clutch. You don't even have to shift into first that quickly. The syncros should line up and you should be able to shift in to first smoothly.