I'm new to driving not only a powerful V8, but a 6 speed. I've got a 99 TA with 78K on it. My question is about the 6 speed and I want to ask other drivers if its normal or if my transmission is going bad.

1) Sometimes I'm not able to put it in 1st, so I have to go to 2nd then back up to 1st.

2) Sometimes it seems to be all the way in gear, but I can take it back out and push the shifter up farther to get it all the way in gear.

It just doesn't seem to ALWAYS go smoothly into the next gear.I guess its pretty hard to describe it not only in person, but in writing. But is this normal for the M6? What other things can I do to check how well the tranny is holding up? Do I ever have to realistically worry about replacing it? How often does the oil get changed?

Thanks

 

The tranny's very rarely go out from what I understand. Make sure the clutch is engaged all the way. Also is it a stock shifter or aftermarket, I know my aftermarket hurst makes it difficult to go into 6th at times. But I would check the fluid level just in case.

 

as for going into 1st, that is such a common issue, that its in the owners manual.
According to the manual, you are supposed to go into neurtral, then release the clutch.. depress the clutch and then go into 1st.

as for the seems to be in gear, perhaps you arent depressing the clutch all the way or you arent putting the car fully into gear.(maybe something is hindering this as well)

 

Well...what do you mean by you are not able to put it into first? If it just locks up/is blocked off, do what has been said above: N, foot off clutch, clutch in and try for first. If it grinds when you try first, then the first gear synchro is shot or getting there... If that's the only synchro bad, I wouldn't worry so much....just get used to holding the clutch in for a couple seconds or going down to secon d first to slow that gear down.. really isn't that much extra work, and it will save money. no need to downshift into first anyway...if you absolutely must, double clutch then. Some transmissions can actually be bought with an unsynchronized first gear..