Hard to get into 1st gear
#16
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 0
Received 353 Likes
on
183 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think we need more information from the original poster.
Hard to shift into 1st gear at what speed? 20mph and higher? Or at very slow speeds or stopped?
My 05 C2 does not want to go into 1st gear unless I'm moving under 15 mph. When cold it is probably more like 10mph. But anything below that speed it goes right in. I drove a 2007 C4S and a 2007 C2 today and both were exactly the same way. Very normal. In fact every manual transmission car I have ever owned is exactly the same with 1st gear.
Hard to shift into 1st gear at what speed? 20mph and higher? Or at very slow speeds or stopped?
My 05 C2 does not want to go into 1st gear unless I'm moving under 15 mph. When cold it is probably more like 10mph. But anything below that speed it goes right in. I drove a 2007 C4S and a 2007 C2 today and both were exactly the same way. Very normal. In fact every manual transmission car I have ever owned is exactly the same with 1st gear.
#17
Pro
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have had this problem as well; usually worse when cold. Occasionally, with the car warm and at standstill it has been difficult to get in to 1st. It is not always though. The dealer did adjust the shifter cables and it helped at first but the problem is still there from time to time even with the engine warm.
I read on this site somewhere that bliping the throttle a bit while engaging 1st works. I have tried it and it does work well if you have his problem when the engine is warm;
But its still hard to do then the engine is cold, even with the blip.
I have the option of using 2nd as my street is down hill and after a few moments the car is rolling fast enough for 2nd anyway.
I read on this site somewhere that bliping the throttle a bit while engaging 1st works. I have tried it and it does work well if you have his problem when the engine is warm;
But its still hard to do then the engine is cold, even with the blip.
I have the option of using 2nd as my street is down hill and after a few moments the car is rolling fast enough for 2nd anyway.
#18
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
FWIW, this entry is on the PCA website Tech Q&A:
Question: Before the car is warmed up it doesn't want to shift into 1st gear as easily as I think it should. Is this SOP?
Answer: Yes, this is normal and even more noticeable if you have a short shift kit installed in your car. First and Second use double syncros and to get them all lined up when cold takes more work to do.
Peter Smith - PCA WebSite - 1/14/2007
For me, this happens sometimes when the car is warm and rolling, also.
Question: Before the car is warmed up it doesn't want to shift into 1st gear as easily as I think it should. Is this SOP?
Answer: Yes, this is normal and even more noticeable if you have a short shift kit installed in your car. First and Second use double syncros and to get them all lined up when cold takes more work to do.
Peter Smith - PCA WebSite - 1/14/2007
For me, this happens sometimes when the car is warm and rolling, also.
#19
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I am no expert on this matter, but I have very similar experience on this.
My 997 C2 also have exact same problem, so I took the car to the dealership. They told me it's normal and let me testdrove other car in the lot which was even harder than mine so I came back without any adjustment done. Maybe I should have driven more cars
My 997 C2 also have exact same problem, so I took the car to the dealership. They told me it's normal and let me testdrove other car in the lot which was even harder than mine so I came back without any adjustment done. Maybe I should have driven more cars
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#20
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
FWIW, this entry is on the PCA website Tech Q&A:
Question: Before the car is warmed up it doesn't want to shift into 1st gear as easily as I think it should. Is this SOP?
Answer: Yes, this is normal and even more noticeable if you have a short shift kit installed in your car. First and Second use double syncros and to get them all lined up when cold takes more work to do.
Peter Smith - PCA WebSite - 1/14/2007
For me, this happens sometimes when the car is warm and rolling, also.
Question: Before the car is warmed up it doesn't want to shift into 1st gear as easily as I think it should. Is this SOP?
Answer: Yes, this is normal and even more noticeable if you have a short shift kit installed in your car. First and Second use double syncros and to get them all lined up when cold takes more work to do.
Peter Smith - PCA WebSite - 1/14/2007
For me, this happens sometimes when the car is warm and rolling, also.
#21
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's a characteristic of all 911s due to the synchromesh design. My 997 does it, my '86 911 does it, and my 928 did it. You should only be able to shift into 1st if the car is stationary or rolling very slowly, and it's always stiff. Cold weather makes it stiffer too. Most Ferraris have the problem even worse than Porsches.
Your right. My Ferrari 328 actually was harder to shift into 2nd when cold so I would take off in 1st and just dog leg it over into 3rd until it was fully warmed up.
#22
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I never had this problem of it not allowing me to get into 1st when I had my Boxster for 17 yrs. Never changed the gear oil either. This must be a “feature” of the 997 tranny. Glad that all I have to do is drop it into 4th and then it always just slides right into 1st whenever I run into that problem.
Last edited by Carreralicious; 01-16-2021 at 03:31 PM.
#23
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This thread is 3 years old.
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Last edited by Bruce In Philly; 01-16-2021 at 04:11 PM.
#24
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This thread is 3 years old.
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
#25
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This thread is 3 years old.
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Try going here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-gear-oil.html
Peace
Bruce in Philly
#26
Rennlist Member
#27
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I’ve had numerous Porsches since 1976 — early 911’s, 2 914-6’s and now a 2007 C2S. They have all had this symptom. Some go into 1st easier when rolling to the stop. The 997 is easier going in from 2nd. It’s a minor idiosyncrasy for all its other attributes.