I recently bought a 2006 6MT G35. It's getting cold in Canada and when I first use the car in cold days, it is really hard to shift into 1st and 2nd gear. I have to apply a lot of force to get the gear in. However, after warming up, shifting in those gears is smooth.

What is the cause of this? Is is possibly low oil level in the tranny or is this a normal quirk of the G35?

 

I don't think its normal. I don't know how cold it gets Canada, guessing below 0, but here in Atlanta, its around 20-30F right now. I do feel little hesitation in shifting when cold, but nothing extreme. It goes away when warmed up.

 

In cold temperatures you have to warm up the car when the car sits for a whole night/day

 

I have a similar problem, my G is a 05 6MT recently imported from Colorado springs where it gets chilly, but never really cold. I live in winnipeg, where it is currently about -20 Celcius or about -5 Fahrenheit. I haven't noticed that its gotten easier as the car warms up really. I haven't really been taking the car on many drives more then 8-12 miles and most of it is highway where there is minimal shifting, and i never rev it past 3 because otherwise i loose traction. (I always let my car warm up atleast 2 minutes before even moving tho - so the engine generally reaches approximate running temperature at the end of my journey)

My problem is trouble putting it into first and second sometimes, and down shifting from 2nd to 1st (in parking lots etc) it just doesn't want to go until i pretty much come to a complete stop, and its not like i'm not putting the clutch in or anything - I know how to drive Manual (not how to heel to toe shift but thats a different story).

Anybody else in colder regions have a similar problem? does it go away or is there some sort of tranny damage (glad you started this post btw, I was thinking i was on my own at first)

Is it maybe I need new oil? (i plan to have that done soon for my 30K mile) checkup; Is there a special tranny fluid we should be using to help correct this problem?

 

always could change the tranny fluid. i mean it cant hurt it by any means, cause i dont think that is normal

 

i live in so cal and i do notice that when its cold but when its warmed up..smooth like butter....and im using royal purple engine oil,tranny,and diff

 

Yeah - min too. It's really smooth when warmed up. That's why I noticed because the difference it really noticeable.

 

yeah ive been meaning to post up same problem.
On the west coast of canada and temps dropping to -1 to -7.

I have been noticing the same problem ever since it got cold. this summer came up to 50KM so i decided to go after market tranny oil. Researched it and found AMSOIL was the best, didn't have the notchy feeling when cold.

Unfortunately im having same problem as you guys, going through the gears after the amsoil has been great, easily go through all the gears with a finger. problem is on the downshifting everything is fine except 2, from using two fingers to all five and tugging a bit. not a great deal of force but definately harder than normal. once warmed up its super smooth again.

I thought my 2nd gear was going, but i guess its normal.

ALso just to double check with everyone, its harder to downshift but anyone grinding?

 

No grinding for me. Also. I have a brand new clutch and flywheel.

 

I hear this alot in the Canada sub forums. IIRC, some of them change out to amsoil tranny oil or another high quality tranny oil to remedy the issue.

 

While we're at it - when the tranny is cold, I have this sort of "howling wind" noise coming from the bottom of the car. I suspect it's the flywheel but I'm not sure. This sound also goes away when the car warms up.

 

^^could it possibly sound like liquid? did you get your radiator fluid changed recently?

 

I have that also! Kinda like your window isnt totally closed at highway speeds, only I'm only going slow speeds.
Amzoil in my tranny and won't go into 2nd until fully warmed up either.
Parked for the winter though!

 

That's an even better description of the noise! Very strange that different people have exactly these small issues. I thought it was issues with my car only.

 

I've had this for years only when cold. Mine is definately coming from the rear section and changes with vehicle speed not engine speed. Howling binding pitch changing sound. Rear axle bearings My tranny has a wine sound too, like a very mild SC wine. Has from day one new and still the same with ~45K miles on it.

Cold tranny 1st/2nd. Yup normal in a sense for a GL4 fluid tranny. Gear teeth cut different than say for a GL5 fluid tranny. I run Amsoil and shifting improved over Nissan's stuff a lot. Takes much less time to become smooth in those gears when bone chillin cold.