YACT: Stick shift Q

[Savarak]

On my dad's 2001 celica gt, the gearbox seems a bit... reluctant... to shift into 1st gear(yes, the clutch is pressed all the way down), nomatter what speed I am at... theres like... a bump in that um.. notch... that makes me either have to push it hard until the stick "slides over" that notch, sorta like a rolling pin over a lump of dough, except the lump doesn't budge much... I don't believe its supposed to be like that, but my dad said it is... even though at the last chicago auto show, I got the chance to sit and shift the gears on a few of the model cars there, and none of them have that problem. Am I just imagining it as being abnormal in the Celica or do manual cars have that.. notch?

 

[notfred]

All cars are difficult to put in 1st at speed. Do it when you're stopped.

 

[The Stigenator]

your too high in a speed (or the wheels are moving) .. its to prevent gear box and engine damage..

When teh car is not running it moves in no problems..

My old tercel had it too.. its normal.. my focus has it too..

 

[MazerRackham]

My 1998 Civic also does this, though my 1988 Accord was "better" at keeping me from throwing it into 1st while moving. Just put the car into 2nd and give it a bit more gas...

 

[Brutuskend]

Don't force it into gear. You'll waste your syncros.

 

[Savarak]

I'm usually stopped when I try for 1st gear, either that, or I'm rolling to a stop with clutch off, and want to get in gear before traffic moves again... thanks for the inputs!

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

it's trying to tell you something. Don't shift into first when the car is moving. Even rolling, my car is reluctant as well. I don't do it any more.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

All my gears are like that... It's called owning a Nissan!

 

[slikmunks]

i guess maybe try it slower...? mine is a biatch to get into when i'm going over 10mph, but sometimes you just change ur mind and want to wind it out, so i guess be careful... bad synchros = the suxors...

 

[johneetrash]

my freind's celica shifter is notchy and "hard" to shift. it's probably just how it is