Shifting Issues - 95 manual
I have a 1995 base with the ZF 6 speed.
I live in an area that gets pretty cold ("feels like" temp is 26 right now, for example) and noticed my shifting is much more difficult than normal. I've had this car for over a year now and never seen it this hard to shift.
Last winter, I had summer tires and pretty much babied it/didn't drive it during the winter. This year, I bought all-seasons, so been taking it out more. Yesterday, it was 50's temp and drove around fine.
TODAY it's much colder, as mentioned...I go out and holy crap! I switched to Amsoil Synchromesh Manual Transmission fluid last year, which is 5w-30. Could it really be that? I would think it should be fine in colder weather.
I didn't drive it long enough today to see if it warmed up and shifted better after a while (I work remote, so mostly drive just for fun) but might try again later tonight if I'm feeling bold enough to risk it around all the drinking New Year's Eve celebrators.
Anyone have any advice on another issue? When I replaced my reverse light switch last year, I completely drained and refilled the clutch fluid with DOT 3 and didn't notice any issues. Pedal feels fine, no softness or sponginess, so I don't think I have air in the system. I reverse filled the system with a pump to keep from having air pockets. No sounds or grinding in the gears, just feels really stiff.
I'm a DIYer, but never messed with transmissions before. Anyone have advice on something else I should/could check? It sucks, but I don't mind taking things apart again...going to do some searching, but how do you verify functionality of the master and slave clutch cylinders? Could that cause this issue? I don't notice any leaking from either and my fluid still looks clean and at the fill line.
TIA








