What are the reasons for difficulty in shifting gears after starting the car?
3 Answers
Reasons for difficulty in shifting gears after starting the car: 1. The synchronizer is not working properly, excessively worn, or damaged; 2. The gear lever is deformed or loose; 3. The clutch is not fully disengaged, failing to completely cut off the power. When shifting gears, the clutch and throttle should be well coordinated. Press the clutch pedal all the way down, then immediately release the throttle pedal, and quickly shift to the corresponding gear. Gear shifting should be done according to the car's speed: start in first gear, shift to second gear after driving a few meters; shift to third gear when the speed reaches above 20 mph but below 35 mph; shift to fourth gear when the speed reaches above 35 mph but below 45 mph; and shift to fifth gear when the speed exceeds 45 mph.
I also experienced difficulty shifting gears last time, mainly because the clutch wasn't fully disengaged. Issues with the clutch master or slave cylinder, such as leaking seals, can prevent the power from being completely cut off when the pedal is pressed. Additionally, uneven wear on the clutch disc or a warped pressure plate can cause the clamping force to not fully release. Dirty or insufficient transmission fluid can also lead to poor lubrication of the synchronizers, making it hard for the gears to align and engage. This is more noticeable during cold starts in winter when the cold oil has poor fluidity, affecting gear shifting. It's important to fix this early, as forcing the gears for a long time can damage the transmission, leading to expensive repair costs.
Difficulty in shifting gears is mostly due to clutch problems. From my own experience, if the clutch pedal feels soft and spongy, it's often because the clutch master cylinder is leaking or the slave cylinder has failed, preventing the pressure plate from fully disengaging. Another reason could be a sticky shift mechanism, such as rusted or elongated shift cables, or severe wear on the ball joint under the shift lever. Additionally, in manual transmission vehicles, worn synchronizers—especially the lack of a synchronizer for reverse gear—can make shifting more difficult. Low or degraded transmission fluid can also increase resistance, which can be resolved by changing the fluid. Starting the car cold and letting it warm up for a few minutes before shifting can make the process smoother.
