An odd first gear. - Toyota Yaris Forums

Evangelion335 · 03-17-2011, 01:52 PM

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!

marcus · 03-17-2011, 02:39 PM

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 · 03-17-2011, 03:58 PM

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 · 03-17-2011, 05:28 PM

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 · 03-17-2011, 05:56 PM

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 · 03-17-2011, 07:26 PM

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

DebbyM46227 · 03-17-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

marcus · 03-18-2011, 11:28 AM

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

Uber_Otter · 03-18-2011, 12:13 PM

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 · 03-18-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

Shinare · 03-18-2011, 12:35 PM

^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 · 03-18-2011, 03:35 PM

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 · 03-18-2011, 05:25 PM

No issues downshifting into FIRST over the past three years.

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

Black_griffin6 · 03-19-2011, 11:08 AM

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.

03-17-2011, 01:52 PM	#1
Evangelion335 Drives: Soon Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 25	An odd first gear. 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! __________________

03-17-2011, 05:28 PM	#4
BluYrs ヴィッツドライバー View User's Garage Drives: 2006 3d 1.0 Linea Sol Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 433	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. __________________ The blue one

03-17-2011, 07:26 PM	#6
R2D2 Crazy Oil Sniffer Drives: MM 09 Yaris 5 Dr LB "Click" Join Date: May 2009 Location: ME Posts: 498	OP I think the 1st gear lock out is trying to prevent you from doing something you shouldn't! __________________ "The howl was the sound of God’s casting pot, the morphing of my cells into shape, the forming of oceans out of molten premordial plasma. And I could feel it. I could cry for it. I could cry with it." -The Fitful One

03-18-2011, 12:35 PM	#11
Shinare Bronze bombshell yaris Drives: 09 Yaris HB 3door Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 641	^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 __________________ Now I drive a CARMINE RED METALLIC 09 Yaris 3-door!! I'm Back!!! WooHoo!! Mods done so far: Tinted windows, Viper 211HV Remote Keyless Entry, Atoto Android headunit, backup camera, steering wheel controls Before it was totaled I drove a 2007 Black Sand Pearl 3 Door Lift-Back M/T with 49k miles. Stock Everything except for black tint, all red badges, red dash, and stealth garage door opener. Ultra-Gauge mounted on steering wheel. A1 Electric MES Central Locks and Avital 3100 Alarm system.

03-18-2011, 03:35 PM	#12
yaris2010RS View User's Garage Drives: no-longer-boosted '10 Yaris Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Angus, Ontario Posts: 1,891	i never shift down to 1st, i had noticed it was really rough when i first got my car and never did it since __________________ If it has boobs or wheels sooner or later your gonna have problems with it

03-17-2011, 02:39 PM	#2
marcus toyota View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS Blazed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3,637	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..

03-17-2011, 03:58 PM	#3
Altitude Drives: '08 LB MT Bayou Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,671	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.

03-17-2011, 05:56 PM	#5
tk1971 Drives: 08 2Dr LB Base, Silver Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SG Valley, SoCal Posts: 237	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.

03-18-2011, 11:28 AM	#8
marcus toyota View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS Blazed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3,637	sorry let me rephrase my comment.. i do downshift to 1st when i go over bumps and driveways..

03-18-2011, 12:13 PM	#9
Uber_Otter Drives: Black XA not yaris but close Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 48	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

03-18-2011, 05:25 PM	#13
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	No issues downshifting into FIRST over the past three years. Are you rev-matching first or just slamming it in? __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

03-19-2011, 11:08 AM	#14
Black_griffin6 View User's Garage Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic 3 door HB Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 419	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.

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