An odd first gear.

[Evangelion335]

So my yaris is about 4 months old. The problem itself has been happening about once a week, but today it happened twice.

When attempting to downshift into first (not racing, sub 4k), i get a weird grinding feeling through the stick. Its distinct but not audible. It doesnt sound like a shifting grind, or feel like one BUT it does wobble/vibrate enough to grab my attention and make me paranoid.

Only happens when downshifting, happens once a week, no other gears have done this.

I did a forum search for this problem and couldnt find anything.

help! :bow:

[marcus]

never had that issue although me personally dont find myself downshifting to first...i do 2nd to stop unless its green then shift to 1st which sometimes its difficult but this is a rare moments for me..

[Altitude]

Like marcus said - I never actually downshift to 1st. I've always driven manuals and I really can't think of a time when I've done a downshift to 1st in any vehicle. Maybe once or twice, but it's certainly not a routine thing for me.

[BluYrs]

I know what you're talking about. Since the first gear is really long (and mine's a bit low on power too), it's difficult to get moving in second gear when you're moving really slowly. So there's the obvious need to switch to first when you're taking off from a low speed.

I'm not too sure of the details, but there's some mechanism in the gearbox to stop you from accidentally engaging first when you're on the move. Imagine the damage to the gearbox if you'd accidentally shift to first instead of third. So this is probably the grinding you've been hearing.

Just try this: let the car roll slowly and try to engage first- you'll feel some resistance. Just keep the clutch pedal depressed and once the car grinds to a halt, you'll find it easy to engage first gear.

[tk1971]

Sub 4k to downshift into 1st? That's a little rough on the tranny, isn't it? I put it into first only as I'm rolling to a stop or when the vehicle is already stopped.

[R2D2]

OP I think the 1st gear lock out is trying to prevent you from doing something you shouldn't!

[DebbyM46227]

Sub 4k to downshift into 1st? That's a little rough on the tranny, isn't it? I put it into first only as I'm rolling to a stop or when the vehicle is already stopped.

I would certainly think so! I don't think my tach has ever been up in the 4K range even in 5th gear!

I never downshift into first gear. :burnrubber:

[marcus]

sorry let me rephrase my comment.. i do downshift to 1st when i go over bumps and driveways..

[Uber_Otter]

I can't downshift into 1st unless.
1. I'm under 10mph
or
2. I rev up engine to match up gears

Otherwise it grinds, not full grind but enough to not do it.

Our trannys are cheaper, you can do this is with higher dollar tranmissions but they have better 1st gear syncros than ours.

I think

[tk1971]

I can't downshift into 1st unless.
1. I'm under 10mph
or
2. I rev up engine to match up gears

Otherwise it grinds, not full grind but enough to not do it.

Our trannys are cheaper, you can do this is with higher dollar tranmissions but they have better 1st gear syncros than ours.

I think

Couldn't do it with my WRX, nor my EVO. Strange enough I vaguely remember my 1981 Datsun 210 being able to.

[Shinare]

^Yea for a fellow 1981 Datsun owner. Mine was a maroon 200sx hatch with louvers. I miss that car as it was my first and have fond feelings for it still this day. heh

[yaris2010RS]

i never shift down to 1st, i had noticed it was really rough when i first got my car and never did it since

[MUSKOKA800]

No issues downshifting into FIRST over the past three years.

Are you rev-matching first or just slamming it in?

[Black_griffin6]

OP: You shouldn't need to downshift into first unless you've got a really heavy load and you're going up a really steep hill at slow speeds. Or unless you're completely stopped.

Sometimes i've needed to downshift into first when getting up a really steep hill at low speeds and it won't let me go into first, but once I rev-match it lets me go into first much easier.