Charles Thronso

When the car (gearbox) is cold on my 997 I sometimes have difficulty getting it into first, and there is a "notchiness" in shifting from first to second. Morning temps around 45 degrees in my garage. The "notchiness" largely stays even when the car is warmed up. You can feel the teeth. The other shifts are smooth as butter.

I remember often having the same phenomenon with my two 993s, ( one used to occasionally pop out of second under load) but I understand this is a new design gearbox. Only 350 miles on the car at this point. Anyone else have the same experience? A concern?

Charlie

rnlarctic997

The switch from brass to steel synchronizers was supposed to improve the 'cold' shifiting effort--i.e. reduce them--but I still find it stiff to get into 1st gear in the morning. I now have 3,000 miles on my 997. I suspect this is normal and nothing to worry about. Once up to operrating temps, this gearbox is the nicest I have ever run across...

JasonF

Ditto here, going into first takes a little finesse - especially in cold weather.

holminator

Charles, I have a little trouble getting into into 1st gear when it's cold out somtimes as well, but after 1000 miles I think it's getting easier to put it in gear. First to second is just fine. The manual says there will be a slight stiffness in the gearbox during the first 2000 miles.

Tony

ADias

I like to warm up the engine at least a couple of minutes before rolling. During that time I do exercise the 1-4-gear H and, when passing through N, I do release the clutch for a moment - that little exercise loosens the gears a bit and all is well when I take off.

jcnesq

I still notice the "notchiness" from first to second and can feel the teeth, in fact, yesterday I was thinking maybe its time to visit the dealer about this (3,400 miles now).

jlee

I think you should take it in to the dealer. My car has about 1500 miles and I have never felt the "teeth" in any gear and in any situation. I do find it harder to get it into first when the car is slightly rolling when the car is not warmed up but that should be normal.

On a side note, I have a question. Lately, when I encounter resistance when trying to put it into first gear(when the car is rolling), I have been reving the engine slightly and it goes in right away. Is this O.K. for the car?

Charles Thronso

JCNESQ--Let me know what you find out if you raise this issue with your dealer. Since I have so few miles, I know they will tell me to drive it through the break-in period, and see what the situation is then.

Charlie

designman

Getting teeth—not right. They won't be telling you it will break in. Just bring it in to service. In the mean time, where are you getting teeth, first or second? If it’s first, try initially putting it in another gear before going into first.

100 grand for a legendary premium sports car only to have gears grind? I don’t think so.

jcnesq

It's from first to second. The "teeth" issue isn't noisy, just very "notchy" going into second; doesn't feel quite right compared to past p-cars, but also not what I would consider an alarming problem. No problems with first or any other gear.

Charles Thronso

I agree--For want of a better word, it sort of "notches" into second. No grinding, noise, or anything else. It is a minor thing, given the overall goodness of the car. As I said, the two other Porsches I had did the exact same thing. and I just wondered if it was the breed, a problem or my lousy shifts.

DD694

The gear box on my 997S with about 1,200 miles on the clock is a bit stiff going from 1st to 2nd when cold. Once the oil temp is up to normal for a few minutes, the shift becomes much easier. All the other gears are very smooth. I love driving this car.