1st gear hard to engage?

Xens · 11-26-2005, 06:48 PM

I've noticed the "rubbery" feeling in the shifter since I first got the car, never really paid attention to it.

Yesterday I was in a parking lot and had to stop to let some people pass so I downshifted to 1st, not realizing that I didn't actually go fully into 1st I tried to take off and it made this the sound as if you try to start the car while the engine is running (done that on the old car, haha) I immediately pressed the clutch, pulled it into neutral and made sure it properly went into 1st before I took off and went home.

Maybe that incident is making me paranoid but I'm actually starting to feel difficulty engaging 1st from a dead stop sometimes, makes me worried that there might be something wrong. Am I obsessed or should I get it checked out?

:

ase2dais · 11-26-2005, 07:06 PM

sounds like you wre grinding some gears there fello, Ouch! better see the doctor soon.

shimshimhada · 11-26-2005, 07:21 PM

You're not supposed to downshift into 1st anyway.

I doubt anything serious happened, but if it makes you feel better you should just go and get it checked out.

Xens · 11-26-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

sounds like you wre grinding some gears there fello, Ouch! better see the doctor soon.

Yeah thanks, that will probably happen soon.

But know that this isn't the first time I'm feeling difficulty going into 1st gear, like I said I didn't bother to pay much attention before.

I'm trying to find out whether the amplified sensation is due to me looking for it on purpose or due to what happened last night.

Can't help but feel a lot of sarcasm in your reply there, anymore suggestions?

BMRAMA · 11-26-2005, 07:29 PM

I think you're over reacting. The transmission is built to last 70, 80, 100k miles. One start slightly out of gear will not destroy it.

Am I right in guessing this is your first manual?

ase2dais · 11-26-2005, 07:33 PM

I'd be safe than sorry, go to your dealer, xplain the abnormality, and say that ase sent you. ok?

Xens · 11-26-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

You're not supposed to downshift into 1st anyway.

I doubt anything serious happened, but if it makes you feel better you should just go and get it checked out.

That doesn't make sense shim, I stopped dead to let the people pass, they were walking slowly and I wasn't rolling. How could I have taken off in 2nd?

Or are you talking about something else? I don't get it.

Xens · 11-26-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMRAMA

I think you're over reacting. The transmission is built to last 70, 80, 100k miles. One start slightly out of gear will not destroy it.

Am I right in guessing this is your first manual?

Probably, knowing myself I'm usually obsessed about one thing or another, keeps my mind busy otherwise I get bored.

But I'll probably make an appointment and let the dealer check it out, like ase said, better safe than sorry. It's just always a lot of hassles and time-consuming going into service for anything big or small. I try my best to stay out of it.

Xens · 11-26-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

I'd be safe than sorry, go to your dealer, xplain the abnormality, and say that ase sent you. ok?

Are you trying to be funny? I don't get it and I'm not in the mood for jokes now. ok?

Thanks for your advice, that's enough.

espo · 11-26-2005, 08:32 PM

I've noticed the same thing. Some of the time when trying to put the car in first (from a dead stop) it feels as if there is a little "bump" in the shifter that you have to overcome to get the gear fully engaged. Wasn't sure this was normal or not

.

I'd like to hear what your dealer has to say about it.

Xens · 11-26-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by espo89

I've noticed the same thing. Some of the time when trying to put the car in first (from a dead stop) it feels as if there is a little "bump" in the shifter that you have to overcome to get the gear fully engaged. Wasn't sure this was normal or not

.

I'd like to hear what your dealer has to say about it.

I've had that since day one but I'm just finding it more pronounced now, it's either because I somehow messed it up some more or because it's constantly on my mind so I try to look for it at every stop light.

I'll let you know what the dealer says about it, think I'll manage to fit a service appointment in there sometime next week, god I hate the appointment and service stuff, but whatever.

Stay tuned.

fredtoo · 11-26-2005, 08:57 PM

All standard transmissions occaionally have this "bump" going into first from a stop.
It's because the teeth on the gears are not lined up exactly for them to mesh when you push the lever into first gear.
You do not feel this in any of the other gears, as they are spinning when you go to make the shift.

When you are stopped, and it does not want to go all the way into first, just put it back in neutral, and then lift and re-depress the clutch pedal. This will get the gears to move, and you should be able to put it completly into gear.

Xens · 11-26-2005, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredtoo

All standard transmissions occaionally have this "bump" going into first from a stop.
It's because the teeth on the gears are not lined up exactly for them to mesh when you push the lever into first gear.
You do not feel this in any of the other gears, as they are spinning when you go to make the shift.

When you are stopped, and it does not want to go all the way into first, just put it back in neutral, and then lift and re-depress the clutch pedal. This will get the gears to move, and you should be able to put it completly into gear.

That's exactly what's happening to me, if I put it back into neutral, let the clutch out and repeat the process again it will go into gear, actually, that's what made me think there was something wrong. I guess it's probably a normal behavior and it's my obsessive personality amplifying the seriousness of the issue.

I'm planning to get it checked out anyways, it'll put my overactive mind to rest.

shimshimhada · 11-26-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xens

That doesn't make sense shim, I stopped dead to let the people pass, they were walking slowly and I wasn't rolling. How could I have taken off in 2nd?

Or are you talking about something else? I don't get it.

lol I thought you meant you downshifted to 1st, then stopped with the clutch in, then when you tried to go again, you found out that you didn't engage 1st gear all the way, and it made that disgusting blow up omg sound?

Xens · 11-26-2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

lol I thought you meant you downshifted to 1st, then stopped with the clutch in, then when you tried to go again, you found out that you didn't engage 1st gear all the way, and it made that disgusting blow up omg sound?

You know, everytime I see one of your posts I tend to completely ignore the body of text and just stare at the pic in your sig .................................................. ......................................

I'm sorry what? Oh yeah that wasn't what I was talking ...... um ...... about .................................................. ............................

shimshimhada · 11-26-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xens

You know, everytime I see one of your posts I tend to completely ignore the body of text and stare at the pic in your sig .................................................. ......................................

I'm sorry what? Oh yeah that wasn't what I was talking ...... um ...... about .................................................. ............................

How about now?

Xens · 11-26-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

How about now?

@#$*!#^&!@()$*!@)#*$@*^)@#!$^*!#(@$!@)#

I CLICKED ON THE LINK IN YOUR SIG, YOU BASTARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

damn how did I forget about these things, lol. Hey where did the girl go? Oh well I guess I'll just have to stare at your avatar then ..........

shimshimhada · 11-26-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xens

@#$*!#^&!@()$*!@)#*$@*^)@#!$^*!#(@$!@)#

I CLICKED ON THE LINK IN YOUR SIG, YOU BASTARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

damn how did I forget about these things, lol. Hey where did the girl go? Oh well I guess I'll just have to stare at your avatar then ..........

lol that one scared the crap out of me. I'm changing my avatar and sig soon.

tiga901 · 11-27-2005, 09:28 AM

Hey, I got the some issues with the first gear as well but it's not repeatable. It happens in random, could be the cdv. If you cannot repeat it at the dealership, you are SOL. They will stare at you with blank faces as if this never happens in a BMW. So unless you can repeat it, don't bother going to the dealer.

Atty · 11-27-2005, 10:40 AM

The problem is common to alot of cars, especially Bimmers. Have the same problem in my E46 too; shifter just feels clunky. I don't think there are any adjustments that can be made to eliminate this.

Putting it in neutral is good advice; also can take it almost into 2nd, then to 1st; this also helps to aligns the gears and is what I do almost religiously before shifting into 1st.

The important thing is to take it easy and be gentle with it. If it doesn't work the first time, pull it back out, take a deep breath, and slowly try to stick it in again..

Wait...I'm not exactly sure what we are talking about anymore.

Xens · 11-27-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atty

The problem is common to alot of cars, especially Bimmers. Have the same problem in my E46 too; shifter just feels clunky. I don't think there are any adjustments that can be made to eliminate this.

Putting it in neutral is good advice; also can take it almost into 2nd, then to 1st; this also helps to aligns the gears and is what I do almost religiously before shifting into 1st.

The important thing is to take it easy and be gentle with it. If it doesn't work the first time, pull it back out, take a deep breath, and slowly try to stick it in again..

Wait...I'm not exactly sure what we are talking about anymore.

Good advice.

Ghunger · 11-27-2005, 01:39 PM

Every manual I've ever driven has been like this. The reason (as it was explained to me so don't flame me if I'm wrong

) is that first gear doesn't have a syncro like the other gears so if you're moving and want to shift into first, you'll have to rev match on your own or if you're stoped and the gears didn't line up quite follow what fredtoo said above. You can take this as an opportunity to learn how to double clutch too.

11-26-2005, 06:48 PM	#1
Xens Eh 108 Rep 653 Posts Drives: Is Turbo'd Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	1st gear hard to engage? I've noticed the "rubbery" feeling in the shifter since I first got the car, never really paid attention to it. Yesterday I was in a parking lot and had to stop to let some people pass so I downshifted to 1st, not realizing that I didn't actually go fully into 1st I tried to take off and it made this the sound as if you try to start the car while the engine is running (done that on the old car, haha) I immediately pressed the clutch, pulled it into neutral and made sure it properly went into 1st before I took off and went home. Maybe that incident is making me paranoid but I'm actually starting to feel difficulty engaging 1st from a dead stop sometimes, makes me worried that there might be something wrong. Am I obsessed or should I get it checked out? :
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11-26-2005, 07:06 PM	#2
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	sounds like you wre grinding some gears there fello, Ouch! better see the doctor soon. __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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11-26-2005, 07:21 PM	#3
shimshimhada Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	You're not supposed to downshift into 1st anyway. I doubt anything serious happened, but if it makes you feel better you should just go and get it checked out.
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11-26-2005, 07:29 PM	#5
BMRAMA Private 2 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Debadged e90 [0.00]	I think you're over reacting. The transmission is built to last 70, 80, 100k miles. One start slightly out of gear will not destroy it. Am I right in guessing this is your first manual? __________________ Mystiic Blue 330i ZPP, ZSP, CA, PDC, Sun Shade.
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11-26-2005, 07:33 PM	#6
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	I'd be safe than sorry, go to your dealer, xplain the abnormality, and say that ase sent you. ok? __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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11-26-2005, 08:32 PM	#10
espo Captain 12 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sugar Land TX iTrader: (0)	I've noticed the same thing. Some of the time when trying to put the car in first (from a dead stop) it feels as if there is a little "bump" in the shifter that you have to overcome to get the gear fully engaged. Wasn't sure this was normal or not . I'd like to hear what your dealer has to say about it. __________________ E46 325xi Oxford Green/Sand Leatherette/Myrtle Wood Auto ZCW - Retired E90 330xi Mystic Blue/Black Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/CA - Retired F22 M235i Mineral Gray/Red Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZPP/ZTP
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11-26-2005, 08:57 PM	#12
fredtoo First Lieutenant 15 Rep 340 Posts Drives: 325 328 350 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: nj iTrader: (0) Garage List 1986 328 [0.00] 2006 325 [0.00]	All standard transmissions occaionally have this "bump" going into first from a stop. It's because the teeth on the gears are not lined up exactly for them to mesh when you push the lever into first gear. You do not feel this in any of the other gears, as they are spinning when you go to make the shift. When you are stopped, and it does not want to go all the way into first, just put it back in neutral, and then lift and re-depress the clutch pedal. This will get the gears to move, and you should be able to put it completly into gear.
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11-27-2005, 09:28 AM	#19
tiga901 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 244 Posts Drives: e90 330i, mt pp sp Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Millbrae, CA iTrader: (0)	Hey, I got the some issues with the first gear as well but it's not repeatable. It happens in random, could be the cdv. If you cannot repeat it at the dealership, you are SOL. They will stare at you with blank faces as if this never happens in a BMW. So unless you can repeat it, don't bother going to the dealer.
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11-27-2005, 10:40 AM	#20
Atty Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 09 X5 48i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 (September bui ... [0.00]	The problem is common to alot of cars, especially Bimmers. Have the same problem in my E46 too; shifter just feels clunky. I don't think there are any adjustments that can be made to eliminate this. Putting it in neutral is good advice; also can take it almost into 2nd, then to 1st; this also helps to aligns the gears and is what I do almost religiously before shifting into 1st. The important thing is to take it easy and be gentle with it. If it doesn't work the first time, pull it back out, take a deep breath, and slowly try to stick it in again.. Wait...I'm not exactly sure what we are talking about anymore. __________________ Attorney E90 330i 6MT \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| Burl \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| Navi \| Sirius
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11-27-2005, 01:39 PM	#22
Ghunger Major 52 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Every manual I've ever driven has been like this. The reason (as it was explained to me so don't flame me if I'm wrong ) is that first gear doesn't have a syncro like the other gears so if you're moving and want to shift into first, you'll have to rev match on your own or if you're stoped and the gears didn't line up quite follow what fredtoo said above. You can take this as an opportunity to learn how to double clutch too.
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