Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
The other gears go in easily but when I put it in 1st its like it's pushing its way through something. Is it supposed to be this way or is something broken?
Also when my engine is burning oil (light blue smoke) will I still pass state inspection, or will I have to get that fixed?
thanks
Also when my engine is burning oil (light blue smoke) will I still pass state inspection, or will I have to get that fixed?
thanks
#2
Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
i came here searching for answers about a similar problem.
when i reach for 4th gear it takes great effort but is still smooth even if it doesnt feel like i am completely into gear. Same thing has happened in 5th and it has even spit it out.
I presume since double clutching fixes it then it is a synchro issue.
Try pumping the clutch to engage first more easily perhaps?
when i reach for 4th gear it takes great effort but is still smooth even if it doesnt feel like i am completely into gear. Same thing has happened in 5th and it has even spit it out.
I presume since double clutching fixes it then it is a synchro issue.
Try pumping the clutch to engage first more easily perhaps?
#4
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
might be time to change the trans fluid. if its dirty it gets harder to shift. some oil burning is fine, but if you have visible emissions like blue smoke, you wont pass. prolly need new piston rings and valve seals.
#5
Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
Yeah my car is sometimes reluctant to go into 1st gear and sometimes reverse. 1st Gear is almost always when I'm moving, and it just slides in once I stop. I've had it refuse to go in though sometimes while I'm stopped too though.
Reverse is obviously always when I'm stopped.
How much would I expect to spend to get my trans fluid changed? Does it have to be done at the dealer? (I know it's best to use OEM fluid)
Reverse is obviously always when I'm stopped.
How much would I expect to spend to get my trans fluid changed? Does it have to be done at the dealer? (I know it's best to use OEM fluid)
#6
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
13 Posts
Rep Power: 787 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
$50? oem fluid is good, but alot of people use other stuff too. its not as picky as the auto trans where honda fluid is required.
#9
Whachya lookin at?
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada
Age: 38
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
7 Posts
Rep Power: 288 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
Shouldn't be shifting into first gear when your moving anyway... if I'm even at a slight roll I still use second. I think first and reverse have some kind of safety on them that does not allow you to shift into it easily. I'm not 100% sure of this but it makes sense as my car does the same thing. So I guess my suggestion is if your rolling use second.
#10
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland, Oregon
Age: 39
Posts: 8,362
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Rep Power: 364 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
^Yep.
Your first gear has a lock out on it so that you don't accidentally mis-shift into third, and actually end up in first. Same with reverse- if you accidentally shift into reverse while your moving you'll tear your transmission apart.
Nothing is wrong with your car or transmission if you cant shift into first or reverse while moving. Its for your cars safety. If your at a complete dead stop and it wont shift in, then you have an issue ...which was prob due to you forcing it into first while slightly in motion. Heads up, reverse is always tricky to get into, and might take a second attempt to fully engage, after all it is a civic.
Your first gear has a lock out on it so that you don't accidentally mis-shift into third, and actually end up in first. Same with reverse- if you accidentally shift into reverse while your moving you'll tear your transmission apart.
Nothing is wrong with your car or transmission if you cant shift into first or reverse while moving. Its for your cars safety. If your at a complete dead stop and it wont shift in, then you have an issue ...which was prob due to you forcing it into first while slightly in motion. Heads up, reverse is always tricky to get into, and might take a second attempt to fully engage, after all it is a civic.
#11
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Age: 41
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 242 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
I went back on the honda MTF. It's thinner than the 10w30 some people run, giving better gas mileage. It says a lot about the fluid that it's thinner yet equivelant (or better) than 10w30
#12
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Age: 41
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 242 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
The other gears go in easily but when I put it in 1st its like it's pushing its way through something. Is it supposed to be this way or is something broken?
Also when my engine is burning oil (light blue smoke) will I still pass state inspection, or will I have to get that fixed?
thanks
Also when my engine is burning oil (light blue smoke) will I still pass state inspection, or will I have to get that fixed?
thanks
#13
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland, Oregon
Age: 39
Posts: 8,362
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Rep Power: 364 Re: Why is my 1st gear so hard to engage?
There are two different bushings for a manual tranny that you can replace
The first ones are the ones directly under your shifter, they stop the shifter from physically rocking back and forth while your shift.
The second ones are the bushings in the shifter cables. These compress when you throw the shifter forward or pull it back, likewise if you push the shifter to the right or left.
On my 7thgen I replaced both of them with aluminum bushings from strutking.
The first ones are the ones directly under your shifter, they stop the shifter from physically rocking back and forth while your shift.
The second ones are the bushings in the shifter cables. These compress when you throw the shifter forward or pull it back, likewise if you push the shifter to the right or left.
On my 7thgen I replaced both of them with aluminum bushings from strutking.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Wankenstein
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
8
07-12-2015 11:54 AM
ballmich
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
0
07-09-2015 11:59 AM
fvckbg
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
4
07-07-2015 07:08 PM