Manual Transmission Question

fraz_bb

Member
This is my first car with a manual transmissions so these might be stupid questions. If so, I'm sorry, but would still like to learn the answer.

1.) When it's cold outside, below 0F, I find it difficult to shift into first gear. This happens at the first few traffic lights and while in my parking-lot. So, I'll be sitting at the traffic light in N. When the light turns green, I'll push in the clutch to the floor and shift into 1. When shifting into 1, instead of a nice smooth shift, I feel like I'm forcing it into 1. It feels like something is getting caught on something else. This only happens in the cold weather after I first start the car. Once the car is warmed up, it doesn't seem to happen any more. Is this normal?

2.) Some times when shifting from 1 to 2, I feel vibration in the gearshifter. This only happens between 1 and 2. At first, I thought that I wasn't holding the clutch to the floor long enough. So, I started to make sure I held the clutch to the floor until I'm fully in 2. But, it still happens. Next, I thought that maybe I'm trying to shift too quickly. So, I slowed down a little bit and stayed in N a little longer during the shift. This seemed to help, but didn't fully get rid of the vibration. Also, I noticed it is much less when shift at a lower RPM (2,400 instead of 3,000). Is some vibration normal? I don't feel this during other gear changes.

As I stated above, I'm new to driving manuals and I'm worried that I messed up the tranny already. And as far as I know, I've been nice to the clutch and tranny. I don't really accelerate hard while in 1. I save that until I'm in either 2 or 3. Do I have a tranny problem? Did I cause it myself by not knowing how to drive?
 
I had the same problem you did trying to get into 1st gear. The solution is simple: clutch in, shift to 2nd, then 1st, clutch out. This solved the problem for me and makes downshifting to 1st much easier (only do this at VERY low speeds).

As far as a very slight grind when shifting into 2nd, that seems to be common with this car. I doubt this is your fault.
 
+1 I live in MN where the temp was -15 last month and have to say there will always be a bit of an issue with cold weather manual tranny stiffness. It is just good practice to start sliding the sifter from N to 2nd then up to 1st with the clutch in they entire time. It just helps you with the 1st gear binding thing that you are seeing. Also short of never taking your foot off the clutch there is no way you did that much damage to your tranny/clutch. Just take it slow and let the car do the work and don’t force anything ever.

And Welcome to the forum.
 
The clearances are tight in the tranny so when the oil inside gets really cold and thick it makes it harder to get into gear. Totally normal as long as it gets easier after it warms up
 
DaPortugee said:
The clearances are tight in the tranny so when the oil inside gets really cold and thick it makes it harder to get into gear. Totally normal as long as it gets easier after it warms up
This seems to be a problem with any newer Mazda. Eveyone's protege does it too :bs:
 
What if you guys replaced the tranny oil with synthetic? Would that help with the shifting?
 
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Snafu said:
What if you guys replaced the tranny oil with synthetic? Would that help with the shifting?

Doubt it. But worth a try if it bothers you that much.
 
actually, changing the oil in your tranny helps a lot for smoother shifts.
 
Karma_hunden said:
actually, changing the oil in your tranny helps a lot for smoother shifts.

Have you or anyone else changed it? Id do it for smoother shifts even tho Im in a nice warm Cali climate if it smooths it out all the time.
 
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