I sometimes have trouble getting my R into first gear. I have to shift into second then into first. Sometimes this doesn't even work on the first try. This first started happening when I got my car back from the dealer from an oil change. I know it probably has nothing to do with it, but I thought I'd add that in just in case. Anyway, I was wondering if this happens to anyone else here. I've had several manual trans cars in the past and this generally means the clutch is going out, right? My car only has 14K miles on it and i don't run it hard that often (totally stock also). Please advise...should I take it to the dealer...and maybe get a new clutch out of it?

 

Its a normal Honda thing. Try to let off the brake and roll a little bit.

 

Mine has always done this. Of course it behaves perfectly when I take it in to get looked at. 18k and still going strong.

See if you can get it to do it for the dealer, then maybe I can convince mine that I'm not an idiot.

 

Cools thanks...that's reassuring i guess.

 

It would not hurt to flush the tranny fluid...

Honda MTF is your friend.


Will
-who has flushed #01-0154 "4" times in just 22,ooo miles

 

Happens on mine, too. Suddenly noticed one day, took it to the dealer, and was promptly laughed at. Normal for most Hondas. But it wouldn't hurt to change the tranny fluid (with Genuine Honda MTF, of course).

Pat, who thinks Fugazi (the band) r0x0rz

 

It's always kinda hard when the car is cold. I've made it a habit to alway put in 2nd and then 1st. Seems to go in much easier that way. I didn't even know I did this until aoigsr asked me why I did this a few weeks ago.

This also helps when putting it into reverse. Goto 1st or 3rd and then to reverse.

yoshi - who needs to change his tranny oil after 35K miles

 

My current R has the same thing,,, But, My current R just feels like a gruntier car, So, I 'll just deal then...

My last ones Tranny felt slicker but, then again it was also a slower car, H'mmm...

I'd have to ask every one with a stronger car feel they have any similar symptoms or nuances?

So?

A.

Ps BTW nice name? The band or the stone?


[Modified by 1GreyTeg, 2:33 PM 11/5/2001]

 

Easy to remedy if you know how to drive stick:

Put the shifter in neutral. Take your foot off the clutch and push it back down to the floor and then try shifting into first. Problem solved.

 

It's not always that easy my friend. I've had this problem on my car a while. I think it's actually related to the shifter linkage and the synchos. Sometimes I can't get it to go in at all and have to pull away in 2nd. I've tried putting it 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th to realign the synchros sometimes to no avail. The "rolling forward/backward" method works because it actually turns the wheels. Even double clutching doesn't work. It's just a bug of the R that you have to live with.

 

I have the same problem with my LS. I sometimes can't get it into first or reverse. When I'm parked and can't get it on reverse, I put it to neutral, then to fourth, and then to reverse. This "solves" the problem. I thought it was just because I have a cheap LS, but it seems the R has that problem too...

 

I had the same problem on my 98 GS and I thought it was just something wrong with my car. But when I bought the R and noticed it did the same thing I figured it was just a Honda thing, which apparently it is since most of you have the same problem.

 

by the way, do you have a twin loop exhaust, if so, how do you like it because im thinking of getting one.

 

With stock cams - it's quiet

With Toda B's it's much much louder (but only when you hammer it) - otherwise it's pretty "sleeper".

 

I noticed this immediately in my R. I was concerned until I saw it referenced here a while back. Plus, my brother had the exact same thing happen in his GSR and in his S2000. I'm convinced it's a honda thing, nothing to worry about. At stops when I can't get it into 1st, I simply double clutch and/or put it into 3rd, then into 1st, and it goes right in. Just dont force it. No worries.

 

It's not just a honda problem, it's a manual tranny...Always have some problems with first & reverse, I usually just let up on the clutch, then it'll go in. My 97GT stang had the same issues, cept a lot worse. If you keep having problems, try downshifting when you come to a stop. Always make sure you hit first before going to neutral, then you should be sync'd.

Never missed a gear in my R, the mustang I blew out fourth, then roached 3rd(gear shift was froze in 3rd). After getting the new tranny, traded it off immediately on the R.

 

1st and reverse DO NOT have synchros, this is the norm on honda trannys. i dont even wanna get started on how weak honda trannys are..