difficulty shifting into 1st from a stop? read...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 22
difficulty shifting into 1st from a stop? read...
many of us have noted that sometimes it is impossible to shift
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by Asterism
many of us have noted that sometimes it is impossible to shift
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
Likes: 531
Originally Posted by shopdog
When stopped, the driven gears are stopped. With the clutch depressed, after a couple of seconds, the driving gears are stopped. If the synchro teeth for the two sets of gears don't happen to be aligned, which is fairly likely, then it won't go in gear. This is no different than any other manual transmission. Momentarily letting out the clutch will cause the drive gears to spin, and gives you another chance to find alignment, especially if you attempt the shift before the driving gears come to a full stop again.
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Originally Posted by shopdog
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Mike
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Niwot CO
Originally Posted by shopdog
When stopped, the driven gears are stopped. With the clutch depressed, after a couple of seconds, the driving gears are stopped. If the synchro teeth for the two sets of gears don't happen to be aligned, which is fairly likely, then it won't go in gear. This is no different than any other manual transmission. Momentarily letting out the clutch will cause the drive gears to spin, and gives you another chance to find alignment, especially if you attempt the shift before the driving gears come to a full stop again.
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Changing the transmission lube won't alter this simple geometric arrangement. Shifting to first *before* you come to a complete stop, however, will avoid this issue entirely.
Dana
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 0
From: NY
Originally Posted by Asterism
many of us have noted that sometimes it is impossible to shift
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
Row the boat to re-align the gears and you will be good to go
I also recommend Royal Purple syncromax as its made a bit of the notchiness go away.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 11
From: Seattle WA
My C6 does it and my Acura Legends did it as did my Bimmer and Supra. It is the alicnment issue mentioned earlier. Either clutch it in neutral or go to second quickly (clutch remains depressed) and it'll go. Just needs to realign. Not a tranny fault.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
With my Z06, I found it was worst when shifting from 4th to 1st after a stop. If I moved the lever through either 3rd or 2nd (without releasing the clutch), it was fine. In addition, the issue got much better after some wear loosened things up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 22
just for the record I wasnt implying that this wasnt normal, or was
in any way unique to the C5/C6. I agree with everything thats
been said so far.
just figured id mention it since it
was referenced in the manual where it was easily overlooked.
I posted it in the C5 section as well.
in any way unique to the C5/C6. I agree with everything thats
been said so far.
just figured id mention it since itwas referenced in the manual where it was easily overlooked.
I posted it in the C5 section as well.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Conway SC
I've been driving clutch cars for over 30 years (not necessarily correctly) I notice most people put their car in neutral when stopped then shift to first. I always keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way to the floor and keep the car in first until ready to go. Is this a bad thing? I have never had to replace a clutch, but then I tend to trade cars before 50k miles also. Just wondering.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by DigitalMan
I've been driving clutch cars for over 30 years (not necessarily correctly) I notice most people put their car in neutral when stopped then shift to first. I always keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way to the floor and keep the car in first until ready to go. Is this a bad thing? I have never had to replace a clutch, but then I tend to trade cars before 50k miles also. Just wondering.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I always keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way to the floor and keep the car in first until ready to go. Is this a bad thing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,316
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio Texas - Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
Originally Posted by Asterism
many of us have noted that sometimes it is impossible to shift
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
into 1st gear from a stop in a C5 or C6. page 2-26 of the C6
owners manual has the following note that indirectly implies
that GM considers this an inherent characteristic of the tranny
design:
"If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into first,
put the shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into first."
Cycling the clutch as suggested works perfectly, just as it did in the C5.
some have theorized that this is a synchro issue and have solved
it by using other brands of transmission fluid, but personally id be
surprised if that actually makes it stop. for me its infrequent enough
to ignore.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,867
Likes: 307
From: Wantagh,L.I. New York
Originally Posted by shopdog
Depending on how long the light is, and whether I'm first in line or not, I do it too. It puts a little more wear on the throwout bearing, and your leg, but it is otherwise harmless.
Also a safety factor-if you get bumped in the rear -your car will launch forward if your foot slips off the clutch. For the sake of the bearing and safety ,best to depress clutch when light changes or just before.
Last edited by C8-Vette; Jan 19, 2005 at 07:28 AM.