Hey guys, so I recently got my 6MT rx8 (drove an auto 3 series before), and I noticed a lot comments about difficulty getting into first when slowing down. I don't usually have this problem because usually when I slow down to a stop I will depress the clutch and hold the shifter up against first gear and just wait for it 'slot' itself in, rather than forcing it in. Does anyone else do this? Does it wear anything when i do that?

Thanks and sorry if this is a nub manual shifting question

 

yes youre wearing the syncro if you push the shifter against first gear.
I found that if I dont double clutch into 1st gear, I just wait till the car slows down below 5mph then just slot it in.

 

oh, I should have mentioned I don't do that until like under 10 mph. and i guess i don't really push it hard against first gear, just hold it slightly until it just slots on. this is a random thread, sorry haha

 

oh, well. just be gentle. anything requires great force is bad. a working perfectly fine transmission should not require a lot of force to operate.

 

I find it really Unnecessary to down shift to first...the lowest gear I always downshift to is second. Mayb the car doesn't like to be down shifted to first,so that's y we have hard times to even try to. But these are only my opinions

 

+1. I really only use first to launch from a stop, otherwise I'm on second no matter how slow I am.

 

1st gear is locked out above 5 mph. Downshifting to 1st until that point is unadvised.

 

Exactly how is first gear locked out?

If you're not going really slow, it's best to double clutch to get into first gear. I do that when I enter the underground garage at work, since I'll be slowing to first gear speeds. Out on the street, unless I'm coming to a stop going into second is usually enough...as long as the revs are up and I don't have to slip the clutch.

As Jason said, don't force anything. And if you're applying pressure until it slots in, you're wearing the synchro.

Ken

 

There is no mentioning in the manual of a lock-out mechanism for first gear. The quick tips guide warns that downshifting into first over 20 mph can damage the clutch, implying that it is possible (I'm pretty sure I've done it before, even).

 

all gears have blocker pins. they keep the claws engaging when the syncros cant match the speed of the input and output shafts speed.
the reason 1st gear is the easiest to be blocked out is the rpm difference is too significant. if you double clutch you can slot it in pretty easily.

 

Exactly what I've always done, but only at the very last second of coming to a stop.

 

cool, that's what I do. Thanks all for answering my nub question haha

 

I always double clutch into first if still rolling, otherwise stop. Learned this on a '86 911, really hard to get into first if not at a stop.

 

+1 on double-clutching into first. Though I've rarely found the need for this; ordinarily if I'm rolling I'll just drop into second, or neutral if I'm coming to a stop and second is close to bogging.

 

I agree with Marklar, no real need to downshift to first when still rolling.

 

It's like your driving it like you stole it. You will eventually break the clutch mechanism when you are forcing it going to first when slowing down. Less than 5 mph is the time when you want to shift it to first gear.

 

 

It shouldn't hurt the clutch or transmission to shift down to first at speed if you double-clutch the downshift. But unless you're going up a mountain road and need to get into first for a steep grade, there isn't much need.

 

Everybody mentioning double clutching is absolutely right, but I would hazard a guess that this guy hasn't the slightest clue what double clutching is.

 

200+K on a '91 escort gt (all my miles) and I just rev match for the 1st gear drop (orig trany, clutch and well everything except oil and plugs). Yes dropping to first adds wear but if you can get the rpm and syncros to to match up it's not much worse than 5th to 4th. And no I don't double clutch, unless I'm in my '79 Jeep CJ-5. Don't hold against the gear while waiting...know the rev level and make a smooth shift. It takes practice but once you know it you'll be fine. Cars are getting more forgiving than say 30 years ago...but you still have to learn the proper way to do it.

edit: I also go into 1st on a roll a lot because I have a few school zones I turn into while getting to a station I do a radio spot on in the mornings. It’s not enough to stop for but I like to be slow for the kids (I was hit as a kid).

 

ya i have the same problem too just shift into 2nd when your rolling cuz its just better for your clutch on the car! roto's baby!!!