Notchiness in cold weather?

[amdhunter]

The last two days, I've felt that the shifter [on my 07 Jetta] has become notchy. I haven't EVER noticed this before and I am wondering if the cold weather is the cause, or VW did something to the car and f-cked it up.

The only thing that I can think of, is that it might be that it was freezing the day I first noticed it, and snowed last night... Is it normal to feel a "notchy" feeling when it's cold out? It will eventually calm down (after 3-5 minutes of driving) but it's got me sort of worried. I can only really feel it if I shift slowly (relaxed) too, if I shift quick, its a non-issue.

I am dropping by Volkswagen on Tuesday to pick up some oil filters to change my oil, and I am wondering if I should bring up the problem. I don't plan on leaving it there at all, and I am debating on whether its worth mentioning at all. I'd just like to have something on record.

I've only got 2072 miles as of this writing; the synchro's can't be going bad already, can they? I've been baby'ing the hell out of the car and think that I have been driving almost perfect lately. I am almost positive it's the cold weather...

 

[MiataNC]

Cold weather will affect the viscosity of the oil in your tranny. This could result in "notchiness" until things warm up a bit. Won't hurt to mention it to the dealer and see if it is common to your make/model.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Check your transmission fluid.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I have never in my life driven a manual transmission that was not a little notchy on cold mornings. If you're dealing with temperatures cold enough for snow, then it's 100% normal for a manual transmission to be a bit kludgy before it warms up.

Nothing to worry about. Especially since if you shift fast it disappears. If it was a mechanical issue, shifting fast would make it worse, not better.

ZV

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Check your transmission fluid.

lol, dunno how. I don't see a dipstick anywhere. I'll check the manual when I get it back from a friend on the weekend.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I have never in my life driven a manual transmission that was not a little notchy on cold mornings. If you're dealing with temperatures cold enough for snow, then it's 100% normal for a manual transmission to be a bit kludgy before it warms up.

Nothing to worry about. Especially since if you shift fast it disappears. If it was a mechanical issue, shifting fast would make it worse, not better.

ZV

Yeah, it's slight but I can feel it. Fast shifting totally rids it. I am totally clueless when it comes to manual cars.

I remember there was a forum dedicated to manual cars..? Would anyone know what those forums were?

 

[Zenmervolt]

As long as the car is still shifting fine when it's warm, I don't think you need to even bring it up with the dealer. Since you only have about 2,000 miles on the car so far, there's plenty of time to wait and see if it gets worse over time. If it does (I do not think that it will), then you can talk with the dealer about it and still be under warranty.

ZV

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
As long as the car is still shifting fine when it's warm, I don't think you need to even bring it up with the dealer. Since you only have about 2,000 miles on the car so far, there's plenty of time to wait and see if it gets worse over time. If it does (I do not think that it will), then you can talk with the dealer about it and still be under warranty.

ZV

My thoughts exactly. I am gonna have my brother (who's a ton ton ton more knowledgeable than I am) look at it when he changes my oil next weekend.

I wonder if he'll let me drive his 1985 RX-7...lol. He never let me touch it because he said I couldn't drive stick. I wonder what his excuse will be now. Man, when he lets that car loose, it's like a bat outta hell.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Check your transmission fluid.

lol, dunno how. I don't see a dipstick anywhere. I'll check the manual when I get it back from a friend on the weekend.

Your manual will tell you where it is. The cover itself will have a dipstick attached or the container itself maybe transparent with a level line. Just make sure that you have enough fluid.

As others have mentioned, it may just be a function of the cold and normal. You could down the road, replace it with synthetic transmission fluid which may not thicken as much in the cold weather.

 

[alpineranger]

I've never seen a manual transmission with a dipstick. Every single one requires you to open the fill bolt and feel fo the oil with your finger. As there is no pump and thus no pressure inside these transmissions (unlike any automatic transmission), the chance of losing your fluid to a leak is much less, and so a dipstick isn't necessary. Some automatics these days are also getting rid of the dipstick.