I have an 03 Z and at first I thought this was just the way the Z was, but my Z only has 60 miles on it so I wasn't expecting problems any time soon..

The problem is, I can only shift into first gear when I'm DEAD stopped. I've seen other threads about people having trouble shifting into first unless they slow down to ALMOST stopped, but it seems like most people can shift into first smoothly ~ 5MPH, but in my case I have to be completely stopped. If the wheels are turning, its a no-go. Its almost feels like somethings grinding when I attempt it.. no sound, just feels that way.

If I'm barely rolling I can force it in, but its really rough.. So I've just stopped trying all together and only start in 1st from a red light.. Even stop signs I just leave it in 2nd because if theres something wrong with my 1st gear syncro, I don't want to make it worse. Then when I am dead stopped at a light, it slides into first smoothly..

Any ideas or other people with this same issue?

 

usually normal but if grinding, you want to either live with it if its not under any warranty teardown and rebuild or just buy the cd009 new tranny for about the same cost. I just had my tranny replaced under warranty and the cost was about 3000 that was covered than i also put in the jwt clutch. good luck

 

You only have 60 miles on a 9 yr old car

 

^ +1 Damn if its true.

 

I never downshift to first gear period. I only use it for moving the car from a complete stop. Keep in mind that transmission takes longer time to reach an operating temperature. How many miles do you have on your Z? Some people have said that changing transmission fluid helped their shift smoother.

 

i have an 07 and it's pretty hard to get into first compared to all of the cars that ive driven. pretty much anything over 7 mph and it's a no go. i like to shift into first during bumper to bumper traffic. i dont like the feeling of feathering the clutch in second gear so the revs match the gears.

 

I've heard this too but I've heard horror stories about people putting the wrong tranny fluid into there car and it didnt end well.

Yeah haha, its only had two previous owners. Both were middle aged rich dudes who kept it garage stored and only took it out on sunny days. I am the first owner to daily drive it -- but I still store it in the winter.


I wouldn't say its grinding, I've heard when gears grind and this doesn't make a grinding noise, it just feels really really rough going into gear which makes me hesitant to use it.. With my friends 06 RSX I see him shifting into first while coming to a slow roll in preparation for a full stop, but I actually have to BE stopped.. which means I have to sit at the stop sign for longer than i'd like every single time.. Which is why i usually just ride the clutch in 2nd to prevent me from coming to a complete stop


Couldn't agree more.. When I'm in bumper to bumper traffic I hate having to ride the clutch in 2nd.. Because I'll be at an extremely slow roll and cant get to 1st! So I'm having to rev up to ~3k rpms in 2nd which really cant be good for it..

 

In the end, it's just matter of getting used to it. Sure, it sucks to not being able to downshift smooth into 1st gear just like your friend's Honda. But trust me, you will get used to it, and when this becomes your second nature, you wouldn't even care anymore.

Z's are notorious for rough tranny and 'some' Z's just like yours and mine are even rougher than others. I've learned to enjoy the ride. If you are in a bumper to bumper traffic, just put it into neutral and then coast. You don't need to ride the clutch, or bog the engine trying to rev match. Just put it into first gear, move the car, put in neutral, coast, come to nearly complete stop, put it in 1st, then move, then neutral, coast, and on and on... not that hard..

 

yeah, Mine doesn't like to go into first when moving, I ahve a few firends with Z's and none of them like to go into first when moving.

It doesn't need to delay you at a stop sign, just coast into the light, and put the car in nuentral, as you stop shift into first and then take off.