I'm noticing that if I haven't shifted into first for a while, or when I first start driving, it's very difficult to push the shifter up into first. It feels like the shifter itself is getting hung up on something, and I have to force it past it to get it into first. Kind of like pushing a stick through a bucket of nuts and bolts, only not so loose feeling.
Anyway like I said it only happens if I havent used first in a while (like coming to a slow after a 60 mile freeway drive), or when I frst start up the car. Otherwise it shifts into first with no resistance. Its not too terribly cold here, only about 40-50 degrees. Any ideas as to whats up?

 

My maxima has always shown symptoms like you are describing. I have to pretty much be at a stand still to get into 1st gear. The short shifter makes it worse, but even stock, my car did that. You only need first on take off anyway. I would just use 2nd gear.

Also, try going to neutral first, letting off the clutch, then pushing the clutch in and going to first. Mine doesn't get hung up doing that.

 

I read a posting that you should never force or push it into first. This is bad but I don’t know why. I guess all 4th gen maximas don’t like being put into first unless a dead stop or going 1-2 mph. Don’t do this because it’s not necessary.

I switched to Redline MT-90 synthetic gear oil in the transmission and it allowed me to switch into 1st going 2-3 mph before it would only let me shift into first going 0-1 mph. I drive through stop signs in second with no problem, just come to a barely rolling stop but still have some momentum.

 

first gear has a lock out gate so that you cant accidently throw your car in to first just like reverse has a lock out gate. I try not to put my car into first if I'm moving but its hard not to do that.

 

Redline MT-90 will help alot...Another thing to remember is first shift into 2nd let the clutch out right till the clutch grabs, as your slowing down, then your car will go into 1st alot easier...***something with the syncroes for 1st and 2nd being on the same rung,spot***

-matt

 

i have fresh redline in my converted max. i can shift into first at a couple miles an hour, but its definitely still annoying, not a complete cure by any means. hoping the cold weather has some to do with it...

 

yea every maxima has this problem, just start in 2nd you won't hurt anything, we have plenty of torque

 

I wouldnt start in second....youll go threw your clutch faster..

Hit second before you go into 1st...im tellin you it works

-matt

 

this happens alot to our maximas.

To remedy this try pushing the clutch down. If the shifter will not go into first, let go of the clutch and push it down again. Then try to push the shifter into first.

 

Use 2nd first...

-matt

 

if you would learn to use the Heal/Toe method of driving, you will have no problem. I rev match my maxima, and I can safely and smoothly put it into 1st at 35 if I wanted to, without wear on the clutch.

When you are wanting it to go into 1st, just put the clutch in and rev the rpms until they whould match what they would if you were in 1st gear, and then it should just drop right in. For instance, if you were still going about 20mph, you would probably rev it up to about 3000rpm and then let it drop in(with the clutch in, of course.).

They are right about there being a block out gate in first so that you cannot put it in there while going too fast. It has something to do with the syncros. We have tood syncros though. A friend of mine has a 2003 Subaru WRX and his 1st gear syncros are weak enough, even the rev matching does not work sometimes. See the following thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=278208

 

I just double clutch if I want to go in first gear while I'm still moving, but I only want to do that if I want to accelerate faster...if I'm just rolling around a corner or through a stop then I just go into 2nd.

 

I concur...I don't put it down into first unless I want to accellerate. That way it doesn't bog in the higher gear. I would normally just leave it in 2nd though.

 

Have you checked your clutch fluid level? If it's low, it could cause these symptoms. Mine had the same symptoms, I filled up the clutch fluid, and it worked just fine after that.

 

The double clutch method is great. The reason why the tranny is really resistance when first used is because the gears aren't fully lubed with gear oil. Gear oil is very thick and requires a decent amount of warm up to get up to operating levels. My advice is to shift slowly on a cold tranny and if it resists, back off, double clutch, and try again. Never force anything.


Dave

 

I'd recommend double-clutching if it was indeed an issue where he was trying to downshift into first from any kind of roll...

but it sounds like it also occurs when he's at a full stop.

I get this a lot and just try to re-clutch like takentomax suggested. Also trying second first can help like matt said, but I find the best result for me (at a stop) is achieved by shifting straight up into third, and then keeping the clutch held in, quickly switching to first. It's not a forcing movement at all - there's no grinding. It just seems to help navigate through the gates engaging another gear in the "up" position first.

I think a synthetic gear lube like redline would help out here.

 

I have this problem also..
Releasing the clutch and reengaging it all the way down to the floor seems to help allot. Also, you will notice that it is allot worse in really cold weather.

Thanks,
Mike

 

yea same here, i notice too when its real could before it warms up, if i shift from 1st to 2nd i get the same kind of effect, but when it warms up its more likely to go in

 

Well this morning I tried all your suggestions and they all seemed to work. Mostly, I made an effort to come to a near complete stop before shifting into first - sure enough, it shifted smooth as butter. Thanks for the tips!

 

Glad to hear it worked out

 

I have similar problems with my 1st gear but with a twist. From a dead stop, at a traffic light, I shift into 1st and sometimes it partly goes in then stops like something is blocking it. I know its not in all the way because it feels as though its only in half way. So, I let go of the clutch and push in, then try to shift to 1st again and it goes in but sometimes it still won't. So while trying to shift back into 1st, i'd slowly release the clutch for a bit, then it slides right into first. Also, double-clutching and rev-matching works too. When I replaced the tranny fluid to Redline MT-90, it went away for a little while but would still happen rarely. Now its back but doesn't happen everytime, just occassionally.

 

BINGO! We have a winner