Manual transmission shifting issue

[sentra]

I have a manual transmission 1.8L 2002 Sentra with about 120,000 KMs on it. For the past couple of years or so, i have been experiencing difficulty shifting the car into reverse. I think the frequency of it happening may be around 50%.

When it doesn't shift to reverse easily, i usually pop it into first, move forward a little, and then shift it to reverse. This method works about 90% of the time. When it does shift into reverse easily, it's silky smooth and effortless, mimicking the behavior when the engine is turned off.

I changed the transmission fluid with Redline 75W 90 over a year ago when i first started experiencing the issue. What do you think the problem may be?

 

[Rand]

what redline did you use?

if you used redline 75w90 thats the wrong fluid.

reverse normally doesnt have synchros and you are stopped...
so not sure what the fluid could have to do with it unless its too thick.

 

[KrisZ]

I don’t think it’s an issue as pretty much all manual cars I've driven experienced the same phenomenon. I think it because the reverse is not synchronized and the gears have no bevel cut. But I could be wrong.

Edit:
What worked for me was to just put the transmission in 1st gear without moving and right away back into reverse.

 

[Lead Shoes]

It's been the same on the 4 or so Honda transmissions I've used, go into first or third, then reverse, sometimes you have to do it more than once to let it go in.

I'm told its pretty much the same for all MT's.

 

[JHZR2]

I have mostly MT cars and have never had an issue like this. The only time I recall such a thing being a problem is in a friend's old jeep.

This is not common, at least in my fleet, which includes MTs up to 188k.

 

[Bladecutter]

I've always found that pushing in the clutch, putting the car into neutral, waiting 5 seconds with the clutch still held in, and then shifting into reverse will make any transmission easier, unless there's an actual issue with the clutch.

BC.

 

[brandini]

I have exactly this, I have to hold it at the reverse gate and let the clutch out real slowly then it's like it gets sucked into reverse. The 1st gear trick is eh since i leave the car in 1st when parked anyway.

 

[SLCraig]

It is probably not an issue. Reverse is a straight cut gear, and also non synchronized. Move your car just slightly in first gear then try reverse again.

If anything, try Amsoil MTG. I found it was far superior to Redline MT-90 in my Nissan manual trans.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
It is probably not an issue. Reverse is a straight cut gear, and also non synchronized. Move your car just slightly in first gear then try reverse again.

If anything, try Amsoil MTG. I found it was far superior to Redline MT-90 in my Nissan manual trans.


note he said he put redline 75w90 in

thats gl-5 with friction modifiers... for a differential.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: Rand
what redline did you use?

if you used redline 75w90 thats the wrong fluid.


I used Redline MT-90 75W 90 GL-4. The manual calls for 75W 85.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
It is probably not an issue. Reverse is a straight cut gear, and also non synchronized. Move your car just slightly in first gear then try reverse again.

If anything, try Amsoil MTG. I found it was far superior to Redline MT-90 in my Nissan manual trans.


note he said he put redline 75w90 in

thats gl-5 with friction modifiers... for a differential.


Redline MT-90 is GL-4 gear old for manual transmissions, as is Amsoil MTG. Also GL-4.

 

[sentra]

I appreciate the replies, guys. I had a few others tell me that this behavior isn't unusual, but i wanted to get some more opinions.

 

[sentra]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
I've always found that pushing in the clutch, putting the car into neutral, waiting 5 seconds with the clutch still held in, and then shifting into reverse will make any transmission easier, unless there's an actual issue with the clutch.

BC.


I tried that a few times, but it didn't work. Given that there are no other problems with the transmission, it makes me wonder whether it has different moods, stubborn and accommodating.

Lately, i have shifting the transmission into reverse before starting the engine. Works great.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: sentra
Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
I've always found that pushing in the clutch, putting the car into neutral, waiting 5 seconds with the clutch still held in, and then shifting into reverse will make any transmission easier, unless there's an actual issue with the clutch.

BC.


I tried that a few times, but it didn't work. Given that there are no other problems with the transmission, it makes me wonder whether it has different moods, stubborn and accommodating.

Lately, i have shifting the transmission into reverse before starting the engine. Works great.


That is a good workaround too.
Seriously though if you swap your fluid again, try the Amsoil. For the Nissan at least, it was by far the best fluid I tried between OEM, MT-90 and the MTG.
Maxima 6 speed trans' are common for 3rd gear notchiness and the MTG almsot totally got rid of it. Something the MT-90 did not help at all over the OEM fluid.

 

[sentra]

Thank you for the suggestion, SLCraig. I will give Amsoil MTG a shot and see if there is any improvement.

 

[mechtech2]

No problem exists. This is normal for most manual transaxles.

Reverse is non synchronized. It is luck to get it in gear effortlessly. A little jiggling/ massaging is normal.

 

[MBS500]

I had same trouble with my previous v6 camry with 5 speed. Also little trouble getting into 3rd and 4th gear. After some research I made a conclusion that my gear cables were little stretched. If you have cables it might be them

 

[demarpaint]

I always shirt into 1st, neutral with a slight pause, then into Reverse. No grinding that way. If I shift directly into reverse I sometimes run into issues.

 

[antiqueshell]

Normal behavior.

If anything replace the old fluid with the SAME spec OEM fluid.

 

[George7941]

All the vehicles I have ever owned have been manuals and I have always shifted directly into reverse without any issues. No double clutching, no waiting for five seconds, no shifting into first and then into reverse.

With my present truck I shift into reverse the exact same way shift into first. Never an issue.