Hard shifting into first gear when cold.

[naabnco]

Hi guys. My 1992 VX (manual tranny) shifts hard into first when it's cold. After I drive it for five minutes it has no issues. And the problem is not consistent. Sometimes it's smooth as butter even in 5 degrees. None of the other gears shift hard, except for reverse. However, it's never hard to get the shifter into reverse, it's just that sometimes it makes a grinding sound when I do. And when it's acting up, it doesn't like to let go of reverse.

I find that it shifts into reverse more smoothly if I move the shifter to 1st and then to reverse. Any ideas as to what's going on?

 

[Osiris19]

When it's cold out, you're going to have a little bit of resistance when going into gear because the fluid is thicker. The reverse idler gear and first gear mesh together and that's why putting it into first when reverse is hard to get into frees it. Do you know if the trans has Honda MTF in it?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RonJ]

As mentioned, start by checking whether the MTF level is low.

I also highly recommend that you drain the transmission and then top it off with Honda MTF. This may smooth out the shifting.

 

[naabnco]

As mentioned, start by checking whether the MTF level is low.

I also highly recommend that you drain the transmission and then top it off with Honda MTF. This may smooth out the shifting.

The previous owner put gear oil in it. So as soon as I bought it, I put 10W 30 in it, as the manual recommends. Yesterday I drained that out and put Honda MTF in it. We'll see what happens.

 

[Osiris19]

What manual? OEM service manuals would recommend Honda MTF.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[naabnco]

What manual? OEM service manuals would recommend Honda MTF.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

That's what my Haynes manual says.

 

[RonJ]

That's what my Haynes manual says.

Correct for 5th gen Civic transmissions, though I think it's better to use Honda MTF.

 

[Osiris19]

I never trust the Haynes manuals.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RonJ]

I never trust the Haynes manuals.

Have you looked in the service manual? 10W-30 or 10W-40 is fine.

 

[Osiris19]

Have you looked in the service manual? 10W-30 or 10W-40 is fine.

I know, I just prefer oem fluid that was put in there from the factory. And I like the helms manuals better.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RonJ]

I just prefer oem fluid that was put in there from the factory. And I like the helms manuals better.

Me too.

 

[OGstackadolla]

I don't use anything other than Honda mtf.

 

[Osiris19]

I don't use anything other than Honda mtf.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[naabnco]

well, I drove it today and I will say it shifted more smoothly than usual. I'll give it a couple more days before passing judgment, but I like the results so far. Thanks guys!

 

[lscivic48]

gear oil is way too thick and will tear the gears up and the sychros. I would change it asap and put in 5w30 or redline makes an awesome semi syn Honda sub.

 

[lscivic48]

I know, I just prefer oem fluid that was put in there from the factory. And I like the helms manuals better.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

and I see you live in pa. I live in ny and even 10w30 can be too thick in the colder weather we experience.

 

[Osiris19]

and I see you live in pa. I live in ny and even 10w30 can be too thick in the colder weather we experience.

You use 10w in summer, 5w in winter. I run 5w all year.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

 

[naabnco]

gear oil is way too thick and will tear the gears up and the sychros. I would change it asap and put in 5w30 or redline makes an awesome semi syn Honda sub.

Yeah I was mortified when I found that in there. It was the first thing I changed on the car when I bought it.

 

[lscivic48]

You use 10w in summer, 5w in winter. I run 5w all year.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

I have been running 5w forever now. my baby doesn't see the cold as much these days.

 

[Osiris19]

I have been running 5w forever now. my baby doesn't see the cold as much these days.

Yeah, 5w is fine all year round. 10w is just better for summer. Don't really have to do that unless it's super hot outside.