Car question from an ignorant fool

[ironxman99]

I drive a manual transmission truck and got the transmission fluid drained and replaced a couple of days ago. Ever since then, its been really hard to shift into first and second gear. The stick will kind of get stuck and I can't lock it into the gear, or it will feel like the gears are grinding. This usually happens after I haven't driven for a while (such as in the morning). However, once I drive it for a while, it seems like its "warmed up" and the problem goes away. I never had this problem until I got the fluid changed. Did the shop do something wrong or is this another issue w/ my transmission? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Vette73]

year, make, and model?

What did they put in your trans? (Fluid type and weight)

 

[NutBucket]

It certainly could be the shop used the wrong fluid. Fluid makes a pretty noticeable difference in shifting, at least in my experience.

 

[AMCRambler]

I've also heard that fluid type can be a big factor. If you live in a cold climate, and get a heavier weight transmission fluid put in, it could cause you to experience these problems. My car hasn't had it's fluid changed yet, and on days when it's below 15 degrees if I don't let the car warm up, it is noticeably mroe difficult to shift.

 

[NutBucket]

My experience was my trans ground 3rd gear with 2 types of fluid (one being OEM) and when I threw in a 3rd type it never ground again.

 

[Vette73]

Some manual trans use Auto-trans fluid. I ahve had to drain gear oil from some after people did that and brought me their car/truck saying it was not right. Also some trans need a special type of fluid. The regular gear oil can be bad. I have used Mobil1 75-90 in my Monza's trans well. Also some I have used the Penzoil Manual trans fluid made juts for trans, etc...
Thats why I asked for the Year make and model to see what it calls for and what they put in.

 

[NutBucket]

Synchromesh is GREAT stuff! I think I'm gonna use Redline in the Suby.

 

[ironxman99]

thanks for all the replies everyone =)

I have a 2002 Nissan Frontier King Cab. I might've told the guy at the shop that it was a 2003, but I don't think there's a difference between those 2 years' models anyways. 1st and 2nd gear tend to grind in the morning or when I haven't driven for a while, but after 15-20 min. or so its usually fine for a couple of hours. 3rd gear and up don't really have those problems. I Live in CA, so I doubt the weather's a factor, plus it just started happening right after it was changed.

I called the shop and they asked me to come back in to get it checked out. Sound like they used the wrong fluid??

 

[NutBucket]

I would say so.

 

[WildHorse]