Shifting when cold

[spotticus]

Hey peeps!

Approaching 700 miles now, loving the **** out of this car.

As it's getting more into winter, I'm starting to notice in the mornings when it's cold (25-30 degrees, and obviously will get colder as winter goes on) that it's damn near impossible to shift 1st to 2nd. 1 to 3 works ok, but getting back into first or second is hard for the first few mins. once things warm up, it seems to do okay... but I've found I'm better off just staying in first gear and driving slow if it looks like I'll have to stop/start again.

Just curious if this is normal, or I should take it back to the dealer and complain.

Details: 2014 2SS/RS, M6 w/ Short-throw shifter, approx 680 miles

Thanks guys!

[skipinminn]

yep I'm in minn and it's the same in my 2013 1ie they don't like the cold.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by spotticus

Hey peeps!

Approaching 700 miles now, loving the **** out of this car.

As it's getting more into winter, I'm starting to notice in the mornings when it's cold (25-30 degrees, and obviously will get colder as winter goes on) that it's damn near impossible to shift 1st to 2nd. 1 to 3 works ok, but getting back into first or second is hard for the first few mins. once things warm up, it seems to do okay... but I've found I'm better off just staying in first gear and driving slow if it looks like I'll have to stop/start again.

Just curious if this is normal, or I should take it back to the dealer and complain.

Details: 2014 2SS/RS, M6 w/ Short-throw shifter, approx 680 miles

Thanks guys!

spotticus,

My apologies to learn that the cold shifting is causing you some concern. I understand why you would post to the forum about this. If you feel additional assistance is necessary, I can communicate your concerns with your GM dealer's Customer Experience Managers. Please message us privately if you would like to discuss this further, or if you simply want this matter documented.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

[Dfault]

It could be normal, here in Texas it doesn't really happen much. It does seem a bit more difficult to shift when the fluids are cold though. Once it warms up and the fluids start to lube everything it should drive more smoothly.

[thkfast]

Cold temps require a little more concentration on making your shifts at the best rpms. I try to "maintain the forward momentum" while shifting when it's cold. And yes, 1st > 2nd is the worst.

[goinggone14]

This is normal for all gear boxes. They need a little time to warm up in extreme cold (<40 degrees)

If you're new to manual transmission driving, either run your engine for a few minutes or take your first couple shifts very carefully. You'll notice improvement as driving continues and the transmission temp rises.

Here's some perfect information, actually: http://www.examiner.com/article/how-...y-cold-weather

[slakjak1215]

Yeah, i feel like im trying to punch through a concrete wall when its cold

[dklowrider]

One thing that helps a little is if you let it warm up at all, do so with the trans in neutral and the clutch out. Same for sitting at a red light. That way there is some internal rotation and moving around of the fluid which helps it warm faster. Not much, but every little trick helps. Worst case is having a transmission oil cooler, great for track purposes, bad for normal driving.
Changing to synthetic oil helps also. This is on my list of things to do.
You can also try double-clutching on that 1-2 shift.

[Destructo09]

Every manual car i've owned has been more difficult to shift in the cold, it wasn't too bad in my truck because the shift lever was much longer or my wifes Jeep.

If it gets down into the teens in NC shifting can be pretty tough for sure.

Your transmission may loosen up a bit with some miles as well, my 2010 it's a little tougher in the cold but even with the short throw it's not really an issue. I'm also running royal purple synchromax fluid.

[Dfault]

Even automatics shift roughly in the cold. However we don't feel it in our hands since it's an auto. If you do have an auto, just pay attention and you'll notice it and then it'll bother you. haha!

[BenningJ]

I live in Northern Iowa. I have the same problem when it gets cold. 1-2 shift is rough until the car warms up.

[shibbs]

Yes, it is more difficult to get into the lower gears when it's cold.

Double-clutching helps.

(INB4 F&F quotes)

"Granny-shifting, not double-clutching like you should...."

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by shibbs

Double-clutching helps.

This ↑↑↑ .

Yes, even for upshifts when it doesn't want to go into 2nd. When the revs of the different bits inside the gearbox drop too fast, kicking the revs back up again is exactly what you need to do.

Some cars are fussier about this than others.


Norm

[WindyCityPilot]

Definitely normal...my 2013 SS does the same thing. I just shift 1-3 until the trans warms up then it shifts like butter 1-2.