Difficult To Put Into First Gear

[zallen777]

From a dead stop it is often difficult to put the vehicle into first gear. It often times feels like I have to jam it into gear!
Is this normal? And if not, what should I request that the Techs at my dealer check for?
I have a 2005 Manual Vue with only 7000 miles on it.
Its pretty much done this since purchase I think, and seems to be getting a little worse, although that could just be my perception and not accurate.

Thanks

[fatabbot]

Try shifting into 2nd then shifting it into 1st gear. Many manuals are hard to get into first from 3-4-5 or 6th gears.

[zallen777]

Try shifting into 2nd then shifting it into 1st gear. Many manuals are hard to get into first from 3-4-5 or 6th gears.

I have sort of tried that, seems to help a little.

What I'm talking about is sitting still with the car in nuetral, which is usually what I do when sitting at a light.

[fatabbot]

I have sort of tried that, seems to help a little.

What I'm talking about is sitting still with the car in nuetral, which is usually what I do when sitting at a light.

Exactly. While sitting still at the light, do a couple of 2nd to first shifts while stepping on the clutch. The shift into first should be much easier than going from 5th to neutral, then to first.

[oldcar1]

I had the same issue with a 2004 ion and the dealer tech said it was the way I drove the car. I'm sure it was a syncro. My wifes 2004 ion did not do it. I also had trouble downshifting from 3rd to second. We traded both in for 2005 vue's and have no trouble with the trannys. BTW the ion did the shifting problem from delivery. Ofcourse the dealer could not duplicate the problem.

[Tom92SCm]

I had the exact same problem with my 2004 VUE. Took it in and they replaced the shifter cables. Problem went away for awhile but now it's starting to return.

It's under warranty, take it in. Talk nice to the service writer and get a loaner car and go beat on that.

--Tom

[saturnjoe]

I had the same problem with my 2005 Vue. It was especially bad during the winter. After about 15,000 miles it loosened up and became what I would consider normal for a cable shifter.