I have a 2003 6-speed CLS. During cold weather in the morning, it's always difficult to shift into low gears especially 1st, 2nd and Reverse. Anybody has the same problem?

 

Most stick shifts are stiff until the oil warms up a bit. Synthetic gear lube (I like Redline) helps a little. Just take it easy for a little while in the morning.

 

yeah i've had the same problem getting into 2nd lately....i try to kick the rpms up an extra 500 or so to compensate for the slow shifting. after 5-10mins you should be fine.

 

yep.....since i got the car. Apparently it's normal?

 

It's normal. The fluids (oil, transmission) need to heat up a little bit. Don't worry about it.

 

It's normal. Take it easy shifting during the cold weather and let the transmission oil heat up then you should be ok.

 

I noticed this morning that upshifting/downshifting felt a bit notchy for the first few miles of driving. Outside temp was about 42 degrees. But I'm not worrying about it cause this is typical for a MT in cold weather.

 

anyone have problems with the gears grinding sometimes? usually going into 2nd or going into 3rd. i know the clutch is all the way in, it just seems it doesn't sync up too well. but it's intermittent...and not necessarily at cold.

 

My car sometimes grinds going into 2nd or 3rd but only when I'm really on it shifing at redline.

 

If you're not precise and get a little sloppy in your shifting, you will likely grind in 2nd and 3rd.

 

As they said it's normal, it occurs in my BMW also. When it's cold, the oil is like sludge

 

As they said it's normal, it occurs in my BMW and Nissan also. When it's cold, the oil is like sludge

 

it just sucks...to hear it make that sound hurts...plus you feel stupid and it's embarrassing.

 

grind it til you find it

my first 6 speed was a litle notchy into 2nd and 4th on cold mornings. This car doesn't seem to be that way. I don't think reving up and forcing into gear is good at all, let it warm up and be gentle...DON'T GRIND it til ya FIND it!

 

Saw posts about this @ acura-tl.com - third generation. Several talked about using different transmission oil. Here's one I thought was interesting.
Posted by "Road Rage":

"Several suggestions:
1) Double clutch the first few shifts from 1-2
2) Take it easy until the fluid warms up - this is good advice for the engine, tranny, transaxle.
3) Replace the stock Honda MTF with GM Syncromesh, Friction Modified. I posted in detail on this, so search for it. This is the best tranny fluid we have found - and we have tried ALL of them. Red Line had only marginal benefits in shift feel - its benefit is that it lasts much longer than Honda MTF. MTF is basically fortified engine oil, and subject to shear down very quickly. The used oil analysis showed that it had seriously deteriorated by only 15k miles in the high revving S2000. Pretty bad."

 

My SVT Tour did the same thing. Just let the car warm up and sift through the gears before you start going. But, it's the nature of the beast.

 

Actually it IS engine oil Good ol' 5w30

 

Obviously most if not all 6MT-ers have experienced this notchiness/grinding issue regardless of outdoor temperature. Since it's been a while since the 6MT was released, how many have actually had any of their gear synchros fail and needed replacement?

 

I have about 66k miles and had no problems with any failure.

 

yeah...i have a brand new 03 6spd and I grind into 2nd gear 50% of the time whether it is cold, warm, hot, day , night, slow or high speeds. I think my clutch needs some adjustment.....

what do you guys think???

 

I put this in last summer and my car is shifting like butter in the cold weather. GM synchroshift Got it at the local Autozone for about 8 bucks. Also the tranny is very easy to overfill. You have to make sure you leave the level checking plug out for a long time. It's a very small hole and it takes forever for it to get to the correct level. If it's overfilled it will shift rough.