Manual Transmission-1st gear to 2nd gear

[camaro805]

I have a 2012 1ls bought it brand-new and I've only
Had it for a month and I've notice that
When I shift to 1st gear and let the gas go it
Feels like the car is dragging or something
Is stopping the wheels from turning and
Once I step on the clutch the ride feels smoother.

Is anyone else having this issue or is this normal.
One more thing when I shift 1-2-3 it feels like theres
Something stoping it from fully engaging to the gears.

Thank you

[brandonrr]

is this the first stick-shift car you have driven?

this phenomena you are experiencing is called engine braking. the lower the gear you are in, the more it is pronounced, due to increased torque at the wheels. it's completely normal for any stick-shift.
it's great for maintaining speed going down hills and assisting your brakes when getting off the freeway and does no harm as long as you don't over-rev it.

as far as the difficulty shifting into 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear, how much resistance are you getting? a little is normal.

[camaro805]

Yes this is my first stick lol
Sorry for the dumb question

I would say it feels like the gears are
Not lining up right.

[bluebox]

Just remember that a manual connects the motor directly to the drivetrain when in gear. There is no "glide" when letting off the gas like on an auto because there's no torque converter allowing the engine to drop rpm's while coasting.

As far as seeming hard to shift into gear, there are a ton of threads here on the subject. It seems the V6 tranny may be a little more "sticky" than the V8, but both need about a thousand miles to break in and feel a little smoother. It's the synchro's you're feeling resisting when shifting - you feel a "click-click" when putting it in gear, perfectly normal.

BTW - you've probably heard this before, the only dumb question is the one not asked. Welcome to the C5 family.

[sycraft]

change the fluid to syncromesh asap. it will shift better. the V6 only holds 2 quarts and it comes factory filled with regular trans fluid. The synthetic will make it "feel" better which the V6 is in desperate need of.

[h2oplay]

Originally Posted by sycraft

change the fluid to syncromesh asap. it will shift better. the V6 only holds 2 quarts and it comes factory filled with regular trans fluid. The synthetic will make it "feel" better which the V6 is in desperate need of.

This^^ I used amsoil syn 75/90. You also have to let the trans warm up before trying any hard shifting, it's a bit notchy when cold.

[meissen]

I changed my trans fluid and thought it felt a lot better too. I've really "worn in" my 3rd gear though as mine really gets a notchy/clicky feel when I shift into 3rd gear. Then again I've also let up on the clutch a little early shifting into 3rd a few times too. :oops:

Likewise my first daily driver manual transmission.

[camaro805]

Originally Posted by bluebox

Just remember that a manual connects the motor directly to the drivetrain when in gear. There is no "glide" when letting off the gas like on an auto because there's no torque converter allowing the engine to drop rpm's while coasting.

As far as seeming hard to shift into gear, there are a ton of threads here on the subject. It seems the V6 tranny may be a little more "sticky" than the V8, but both need about a thousand miles to break in and feel a little smoother. It's the synchro's you're feeling resisting when shifting - you feel a "click-click" when putting it in gear, perfectly normal.

BTW - you've probably heard this before, the only dumb question is the one not asked. Welcome to the C5 family.

I feel better now lol
I thought i was harming the car when I shift.
Hopefully itll get better as I put more mileage.
And thanks for welcoming me, seems like there's
Alot of nice people here Willing to help

[camaro805]

Originally Posted by sycraft

change the fluid to syncromesh asap. it will shift better. the V6 only holds 2 quarts and it comes factory filled with regular trans fluid. The synthetic will make it "feel" better which the V6 is in desperate need of.

Please correct me if im wrong but I heard changing
fluid to non gm fluid will void my warranty?
And how bout switching to hurst shifter, will it help?

Thanks

[sycraft]

"syncromesh " is GM fluid.... The hurst helps, but it will also firm up the shifts.

[camaro805]

Originally Posted by sycraft

"syncromesh " is GM fluid.... The hurst helps, but it will also firm up the shifts.

On my oil change I will have the dealer to
Service my car, do you think I could buy the
Fluid and they'll put it on for me?

[sycraft]

Yes. No more than .5 labor.

[h2oplay]

Originally Posted by camaro805

Please correct me if im wrong but I heard changing
fluid to non gm fluid will void my warranty?
And how bout switching to hurst shifter, will it help?

Thanks

My dealer changed mine to amsoil which I supplied, they said nothing about voiding the warranty, they knew I wasn't happy with the trans.

[Ventmaster]

Originally Posted by camaro805

Please correct me if im wrong but I heard changing
fluid to non gm fluid will void my warranty?
And how bout switching to hurst shifter, will it help?

Thanks

The Hurst shifter greatly shortens the "throw" of your shifts (the distance the shifter has to travel between gears), but due to decreased leverage it can increase the perceived notchiness/resistance of the shifter.

It's a trade off- you get shorter, more precise shifts but they require greater effort on your part IMHO.

As to the gear oil- your dealer may replace the factory lube with an aftermarket brand for you, or he may say the only gear oil approved is what GM puts in them. You never know til you ask.

I've tried 3 aftermarket: AMSoil, Motul, and Royal Purple. All were 75w-90 and all showed some improvement over the stock stuff, with Royal Purple being the best- IMHO as usual