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I have a 2003 LX with about 4000 miles, manual transmission, and I'm not sure if what I'm experiencing is normal or if it is a problem and I should take it in to the dealer. And I'm wondering if anybody else has had this problem? When I try to put my car into a lower gear, my shifter starts shaking and will even sometimes "kick me out" of the gear I'm trying to go into. It doesn't always do this, but it's really wierd. I also have a really hard time putting my car into first unless I'm going under 15mph (when I'm lucky). Could this just be becuase my car is still new? Any input helps. Thanks!

 
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Try going in neutral before engaging first gear, it should make it easier, same for reverse. I always do it. Works fine, also it's not recommended to engage first gear when going to fast, you might over rev the engine.

 
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the gear box shouldn't let you get into first gear when you're over 20km/h, which is i have no idea in mph (i'm guessing around 15mph)...

as for the shaking, is it minor shaking as in vibrating? cause that's normal... i think that happens when you're revving too low...

but you said it "KICKS YOU OUT" of the gear? that's weird... go get it checked... would be under warranty

 
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I was recommended to not brake and try to put it into first gear because of a vaccuum issue (?) and it seems to help a little, but this does become a problem in parking lots when I should be in first gear and my car won't let me and I have to either coast in neutral or bog the motor in second gear.

The second problem that I'm having is hard to explain. Sometimes when I put my car into gear (1st-3rd), if I don't push the shifter with enough force, the shifter will start to jiggle and go back into neutral. It's really strange....is this something I should be worried about at 4000 miles?

 
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as for your second problem, i have the sameone, you must be genyly pushing it into gear, you do have to push it in with a little effort man, the gears have to line up, what is jiggling is the syncroniser(sp?) gears i believe

 
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I think the only way it will pop out is if you release the clutch before fully puttin the car into the chosen gear. As for shifting to 1st, it's licked for a reason. If you must, just tap the gas till the gate opens up and release the clutch, just dont do that over 30MPH

 
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First of all, have you owned a manual vehicle prior to the civic?

Second, there is absolutely no reason to be cruising a parking lot or anywhere in 1st gear. You should be in second gear any time outside of starting from a dead stop. That is probably why you are getting locked out, it doesn't want you going back to first.

As for it coming out of gear, do you successfully engage the gear and then drive for a bit and it suddenly pops out? Or is it not really engaging to begin with?

 
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No, this is my first manual I have owned.....

The parking lot thing was refering to speed bumps(they are a killer in the back on stock suspension), I'm going about 5mph or less and I should be in 1st gear right?

No, it doesn't just come out of gear....it's just so picky about how much force you have to use to put it into gear.

I'm sure it's not a serious problem, just wondering if anybody else had experienced this with their car.

 
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Its a safety feature like mentioned above when it wont let put it into 1st gear. The only times Il put it in 1st gear if I'm around 10mph or lower. Anything above that I'll put it in 2nd. If you read the manual it recommends for normal acceleration that 1st gear is good up to 15mph. I dont like to rev that high so I shift a little sooner.

 
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Well, if you are almost at a dead stop just before you hit the speed bump, it should go int fairly easily but will still take a tiny bit of pressure. Yes, if you are creeping at like 1mph over a speed bump, you should be in first.

I don't know, just sounds like normal gear changing to me. Sometimes the shifts are smoother according to your speed and gear.

If it bothers ya, I would take it in to the dealer,

 
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Have someone look into it thats how my problem started out, AND no this isn't my first manuel car. Check out my posting under TRANSMISSION.
Duece,
Rick

 
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I figured it out, it is in fact a vaccuum issue. You can go into first gear at any mph (although you should be careful not to let out the clutch) as long as you have enough pressure on the brake. I can be going 60mph and go into first gear (with the clutch still in) as long as I put enough pressure on the brake and the shifter.....strange but true!