i have read several topics stating that on cold mornings some poeple couldnt get their car to go into first or reverse for a while until it warmed up.
well, consequently, the day after reading one of these topics, my car magically started having the same problem.
well the past two days i have done this in the morning, and both times it worked with no problems.
i start the car, while warming up, i put it into third. after that it goes into first or reverse with no problems or sticking whatsoever. hope this helps!

 

This is not a new technique and has been talked about from time to time. However, you should be thanked for bringing this up as a reminder to those who have not read about this yet.

Each car is a bit different and sometimes, as the car ages, things like this can also change. You don't have to wait for it to warm up for any length of time. All you need to do is to stop the tranny from spinning (the reason why selecting 1st or reverse is difficult). This can be accomplished in one of 2 ways. You can put it into a higher forward gear like you do (2nd is usually sufficient) before going into 1st or reverse. Or, if your clutch isn't too grabby when cold, you can simply push the clutch to the floor, wait a few seconds for the tranny to stop spinning, then try for 1st. If your clutch is too "grabby" due to poor adjustment or abnormal wear, this technique won't work.

 

You are right on. I was actually going to suggest this before I read your thread. Nine out of ten times, I have no problems with going into first when cold. I make it a habit to select my gears as gently as possible as to preserve the synchros. Whenever it doesn't easily go into 1st, I put it into 3rd gear, then it will go into 1st gear without any effort at all.

I used to do this in my Del Sol as well. I messed up my synchros in that car when I drove it for 2-3 weeks with the clutch locked up, thus, I damaged the transmission. It never went into 1 gear as easily as it did before. If I put it into 3rd gear first, it would just glide into 1st. When it was rolling, it would shift just fine.

Good call

 

i feel so much smarter now.

i will probably just change out the tranny fluid when i get some free time/cash.

i bought the car from CarMax about a month ago, would they change out the fluid? I guess I'll need to check before dumping it out.

 

I highly doubt it. You should also change out the diff fluid while you're at it. May as well check ALL the fluids (brake, clutch, coolant for level) to be sure.

 

I will definately be doing all that when changing the tranny fluid.