pisby

anyone else have this problem? The car grinds into 2nd on a cold day. It's almost like the trans fluid is too thick.

jzinckgra

Mine does this too, but I wouldn't say it grinds. It's just I have to pull a little harder to get into 2nd. Once the car is warmed up, it's very smooth.

NBP04TL4ME

If you really think it is grinding, might I suggest holding first longer and going right to third? At least until you can get it to your dealer.

NOX 3.2

I usually go from 1 - 3 - 6 with no problem, there is plenty of power on the highway.

and yes, from 1 to 2 it feels a little harder than other combinations...

2obsessed

same thing here - going to bring it to dealer eventually. Not something we should have to put up with.

vtechbrain

Its the thick oil numbnuts! No fixing to do! The 1-2 synchros are the largest therefore the stickiest in cold weather.

pisby

Well vtechbrain, explain the cold temperature effecting shifting, if it's not to do with cold thick oil, since your brain is obviously the largest one in the forum. I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma, and I’ve owned several other 5 spds in my time and none of them have had this problem. I'd think most manual transmissions have a higher ratio between 1st and 2nd why don't most of them grind?

Flanagan

Every car I've owned has had trouble getting into 1st and Reverse in cold weather, and sometimes going from 1st to 2nd. This is including 2 Acuras (94 Integra LS, 98 2.3CL). I found that double-clutching got rid of the stick temporarily until the fluid warmed up.

Ken1997TL

Depends on a lot of things. Ratios, synchronizers etc.

Just about all Honda transmissions are like this when they're cold.

jgatortl

Problem sounds like my last Honda manual gearbox, a 1985 Honda CRX Si. It never liked going into 2nd until is was warmed up.

Since - I have not had the issue with Infiniti, Saab, or Toyota gearboxes.

I would want to get this looked at, a $35k TL should be more refined that a $11K CRX si

KilroyR1

You can solve this by technique or lubricant. When shifting into second, go into neutral and then left and down for second - you don't have to double clutch. Once, it's warm don't bother. You can change the gearbox to synthetic lube or get a little bottle of the Ford friction modifier - this solved the problem in my last Toyota Supra Turbo.

Good Luck,

Don

rybocf

To make you feel better, every standard I've ever owned ALWAYS did this too. 1st to 2nd was sometimes impossible in really cold weather until the car warms up. Its no big deal. Don't force it. Let the car warm up or go from 1st to 3rd.

Ryan