6 Speed Manual Gearbox Difficult Shifting into 1st Gear?

[LGP_VT]

I am posting this in the VT session because I searched the engine/transmission forum and found no mentioning of this. Thought that it might be more VT related.

Basically I noticed that sometimes it is hard to shift the car into first gear when the car is completely stopped at the light. Especially when you were in 4th gear coasting to a completely stop, put the car in N at the light, and then shifting into 1st to get going. That is, going from 4->N->1st.

A simple solution is to shift into 2nd gear while completely clutched in and then shift into 1st and let the clutch out. So, basically go 4->N->2nd->1st.

The manual actually said never to downshift more than 2 gears at once. So, I think this is normal behavior of the gearbox. Just want to make sure that other people are also experiencing this and I am not having some isolated issue.

[theanimal]

Are you sure that you're 100% completely stopped? Not even rolling at 5mph?

[chopchop0]

I am posting this in the VT session because I searched the engine/transmission forum and found no mentioning of this. Thought that it might be more VT related.

Basically I noticed that sometimes it is hard to shift the car into first gear when the car is completely stopped at the light. Especially when you were in 4th gear coasting to a completely stop, put the car in N at the light, and then shifting into 1st to get going. That is, going from 4->N->1st.

A simple solution is to shift into 2nd gear while completely clutched in and then shift into 1st and let the clutch out. So, basically go 4->N->2nd->1st.

The manual actually said never to downshift more than 2 gears at once. So, I think this is normal behavior of the gearbox. Just want to make sure that other people are also experiencing this and I am not having some isolated issue.

Ive noticed the same issue. Kinda have to jiggle it a bit and it eventually gets into 1st. kinda annoying

[LGP_VT]

This happens when I am completely stopped at the light, and clutch is all the way depressed.

[MikeRotch]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is a function of all manual gearboxes. My VT does the same and so did my '00 Maxima and my really old '93 MX-6. Just like you said, it's to prevent you from downshifting into 1st gear by accident.

[WildchildDeb]

My dad told me with my first stick that it was because the synhcronisation was off . He told me to put it in neutral, let the clutch out, and then try to put it back in gear. It always did fix it.

[GreyGhost12]

Have you tried double clutching?

[screenshotted]

My 09 Accent has this issue, sometimes it just doesn't get in first and yes, throwing the stick into second works. I think it is something with the hyundai engineering of the gearboxes because the manual is right. It is usually when I just go from 4th//5th and just coast in neutral to the light and then when I need to get in first it just sticks like the holdout mechanism is keeping me out. This must be why they say not to downshift more than two gears, but if I don't need to downshift, I don't.

[SkyriderAR]

I have 14k miles on my MT NA V and have not had a single instance of difficulty shifting into first or any other gear. I do drop into neutral from higher gears when coasting up to a light and have not experienced any issues shifting into first from a stop. For me, this is the smoothest manual transmission I have ever driven.

[MTD]

My wife has complained about trouble getting into first, I however do not have the issue.

Could be a the syncros not matching up because you are skipping gears. I always go 2 into 1. Force of habit really and thats how I was taught.

Could also be the shifter getting hung up on the reverse lockout. I find that if you are pulling on the shift lever too hard to the left, you can feel where the reverse lockout is.

New car breaking in still.

Im also curious as to what kind of MTF Hyundai puts in these transmissions. A light weight like many other econo cars, or a heavy weight like in my Genesis.

Whatever it is, IMO switching to a synthetic MTF always makes the tranny shift smoother.

[GreyGhost12]

I feel this tranny is very smooth too. The only tranny I feel is better (of vehicles I've owned) is my ITR tranny in my GSR. But then again, that has a shift rod and not cables which is a much more direct and positive shift. I've always used Honda MTF in that tranny due to it's complex concoction. I had tried Redline MTL and found it ground the synchros on a regular basis if I really bashed on it where as the Honda MTF simply didn't do that. I'm not sure what Hyundai used in our trannys but it seems to be decent stuff.

[LGP_VT]

Have you tried double clutching?

This happens when the car is completely stopped with my right foot on the brake.

Actually with the gear shifting sequence, 4th->N->1st, I effectively did double clutching. I let the clutch out when I am sitting at the light to prevent excessive wear on clutch release bearing and solenoid.

[jmhasty]

I haven't noticed this in my VT, but it used to happen in my Accord. Like the others have said, it shouldn't be a problem.

[silverarrow27]

Tried rev matching?

[turbosocks]

I haven't had this happen yet at all or anything like it.. I can put the car into 1st gear (clutch dis-engaged) at 45mph without MUCH resistance.

I never had trouble putting it in gear from a dead stop though. I never double clutch and routinely go 2+ gears apart. Done 1st-4th a bit and have done 6th to 3rd or even 2nd a few times.

[Dezoris]

Have you tried downshifting into 3rd coming to a stop then into neutral?
It maybe that 4th is on the counter shaft and 1st is on the main shaft.

I never downshift into neutral from 4th it has no engine braking. I go into 3rd then second into neutral, or 3rd to neutral then 1st.
Never had an issue. I also never go into first over 4 MPH.

[turbosocks]

I also never go into first over 4 MPH.

I totally read that as " I never go OVER 4 mph.. HAHA

[Dezoris]

If you go over 4MPH you are getting poor MPG.

[ces]

wow I am glad this was brought up, I was having trouble at first but I thought it was just an adapting issue for red lights... for slowing down on a curve I usually put it in neutral to cushion the curve then once I'm on a straight I shift into second and it doesn't give me any problems, but I do downshift more than 2 gears in between...is that bad? I don't want to mess up the transmission.

[xxxotiknightz]

"Have you tried double clutching?"


was this the first thing that came to anyone elses mind when they read this??

OP: sounds to me like perhaps your clutch isnt fully disengaging. I know with my supra when the clutch was going out it wouldn't fully disengage and it made it hard to get into gear. you wouldnt notice it as much while driving because of the syncros, but when you stop it would be tough to shift. it may just need adjustment.