Hard to get into 1st gear
 

Hey guys,

My '07 997 S is difficult to shift into 1st gear and it's worse when it's cold, but even when warm it's not great. The car only has 3k miles on it.

Which aftermarket gear oil are you guys using in this transmission? I am hoping this will help alleviate the problem.

Thanks,

Eric

Take the P-car back to the dealership and have them adjust the stick shift pattern.

Yes, this is a shifter adjustment (or a syncho problem - but probably not at this point).

Take it in, it's under warranty. In the interim, I've found that if you shift to 2nd, then 1st, it'll go in easier.

Yeah, that's what I have been doing!

Thanks,

Eric

I have the same issue, but I heard it was normal in 911s and not something that can be fixed...

Same problem, more so with those of us that have a short shifter kit.

Once warmed, it goes a whole lot better.

Deanski

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.

It is NOT "characteristic of all 911s" and it is not normal. The car should shift into any gear, smoothly and easily, warm or cold. Obviously it may be slightly stiffer when cold, but other than a little more effort pushing into the gear, there should be no problem.

Bring it back to the dealer and have them correct it. You can prove to them that it is not normal by just taking them for a ride in any of the other 911's on the lot.

I just spent the day driving 5 new 911's at the dealer and not one had a problem shifting, up or down.

I agree with 1999Porsche .

It is NOT normal.
Porsches have one of the finest , if not THE finest transmissions available.

The shifter in my car is " literally " as smooth as silk in every gear and has been so from day one.

Tell the dealer to adjust your cable and don't take no for an answer .

Another vote for Not Normal. I've got the sport shifter. Occasionally, it is difficult to engage 1st gear, but ONLY when it's cold. Otherwise its like butter. If you're having troubles, don't mess around with fluids, go to the dealer.

I've owned two new 07 997S's and they both had/have this issue...it appears to get better with miles. I cannot remember if my 996 or 993's had this issue...too long ago.

I think we all might be "correct" here. I have the same trouble...only when rolling to a stop (maybe 5-10 mph). When I am at a standstill it is smooth like butter. According to my dealer (not exactly the most objective of opinions) thats how its supposed to be.

No fence sitting allowed. Either the transmssion was designed to allow easy, smooth shifting or it was designed to be difficulty to shift. Only one can be correct.

I suggest you press your dealer to fix the problem. You can easily prove to them that the car should shift smoothly by taking them on a ride in any of the other 911's on their lot. Sometimes demanding that they put in writing that a problem is "normal" is enough to make them take a closer look. Either way, having them give you such a letter would cover you if you have any future problems.

When cold I have a slight sticking when goin into first but after warm up its fine. Had this since new. I dont find it to be a big deal.

It's easy to get into first in the C2S and the RS when the car is stopped, but both are a bit stiff when cold as both have a short shifter. They will easily go from second to first easily only if I hit the throttle to rev match.