Hey guys,
I have had my 2005 xA for about 4 months now. It is a 5 speed and has 70,000 miles on it. I have been noticing that the first gear synchros do not let me put the car in first gear at any speed higher than approx 4 mph. If I am moving very slow in nuetral with the clutch pedal depressed and I try to put it in first, it takes a few seconds to go into gear and I usually feel a slight mechanical grind through the shifter as it finally slides in. Is this normal? If I am at a stop, first gear goes in quickly and smoothly every time. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Normal

And you may try changing the tranny oil , I went with syncromesh and it has worked without a hitch.

 

come on man... that first gear is so short i'm surprised it even lets you in at 4 mph. your fine. you don't even need first gear, if you are rolling even the slightest bit, put it in second.

 

Exactly. During winter here, I don't think I even use first gear with the ice and snow on the ground.

...and you'll think something is wrong with it when you scream along at almost 4000 RPMs when you do 80 MPH on the freeway!!

It just takes some getting used to. You'll love this car more and more as time goes. Enjoy it.

Btw,
you could also try switching your gear oil to Redline MT90- it slows down the synchro spin a little and makes the gear shifting a little easier / forgiving. It definitely improves shifting smoothness.