My friend's taking his 2018 Honda Fit (bought used 3 months ago) to the dealer because the stick feels really stiff when you shift into first. It's harder to switch into first gear than any other. What could cause this? What are some things to look out for?
Well, … first things first - in order:
- check gear oil level and proper grade: … yes, it has to be Honda MTF fill, other gear oils don’t work so well in Fits. Dunno why, …
Some folks just use 76w85 GL-5 with success, … some use simply regular 10w30 or 5w30 motor oil and are happy (Aside: Before Honda started specifying Honda MTF, Honda use to specify 10w30 motor oil.)
- check the clutch: … it’s probably worn, or close to its limit worn. There is not a lot of meat between new clutch (about 7.25 - 7.95 mm thick) and service limit (about 5.0 mm thick)
- check the change lever assembly. It generally works like a charm, pretty well forever, … but if once really, really trashed, it’s a nightmare.
- check the first synchro ring and 1-st gear
- check 1-st/2-nd synchro sleeve and hub
Anyway, … only first item is cheap to investigate, the rest, not so!
F.S.
Thank you, I'll see if my friend is willing to change his oil and see if that helps!
Yes. Start there. Pretty cheap, just drain and fill. It takes 1.6 US gt to refill. Best to drain when transmission is warm. I would check closely for metal particles in the drained oil - shiny flakes or hard chunks ( … there may even be a magnetic drain plug on that car, check it for what collected on it!). If there is lots and lots of stuff in the drained oil, or drain-plug magnet has an excess of filings gathered, … bad news all around!
… and one more thing, … go for a ride with your friend, observe closely how your friend handles the shifter, clutch, matching revs, etc. Just perhaps, your friend is not doing thing precisely right driving manual? Just musing out loud, …
F.S.
I've stared at his feet/hands while he drives because I'm trying to learn (haven't had time to practice much yet). I don't know how much experience he has driving manual, but he explains the mechanism/dynamics very well and has 3D modeled it before. Thanks so much!
The secret is don’t rush the shifts! No slamming. Relax. Easy in from gear to gear. No force, just a gentle push. And clutch, … all the way in and gently out, with full attention to how clutch is re-engaging.
Anyway, … bestest of luck. Driving a manual is coordination and smoothness all synchronized. Concentrate on feel. Adjust your way of shifting until it just feels right, … car happy, you happy!
Btw, … I own ‘10 Fit Sport since new. Love it, ... flawless!
F.S.
Is it shifting hard into 1st from a standstill, or when downshifting into 1st, while moving?
It happens when downshifting into 1st while moving!
I'm not sure if it also happens when shifting from standstill, that didn't seem to be a problem.
In most manuals which I’ve driven, shifting into 1st at any meaningful speed was usually met with resistance. Unless you’re crawling or at a standstill, I’d recommend you stick to 2nd or coast in neutral while you slow down to a crawl. Ofcourse, check your clutch & gearbox oil to check if either require replacement.
Thanks so much for letting me know. I'm learning to drive his car and this is very useful information haha.
Just rode around in the car. He stops in neutral and trying to start from a stop, like a red light, doesn't allow him to switch into first. He has to go from neutral to 2nd, then down to 1st. This happened maybe three times in a fifteen minute drive in the city; for the most part it shifts into 1st ok.
not sure why, maybe habit, but i have always used 2nd gear, to make it easier to put it into 1st at a stop
2nd seems to stop stuff moving around in there 
See if new fluid helps, if not, I’d just live with it. Sounds like the previous owner/s have ruined the 1st gear synchro. Also, like Scotty said, check if you need a new clutch.
Well a worn-out clutch will often do that pray it's not the synchromesh going out in first gear but Honda makes pretty good transmissions they normally don't wear out that fast
The dealers weren't able to reproduce the problem, so I guess that means nothing's wrong for now...
Glad to hear "nothing's wrong for now..." That'll come back to haunt you, big time. It sounds like whoever you bought it from like to rest their hand on the shift lever all the time and has likely fried the 1-2 synchros. By the way, dealers couldn't duplicate their own address, let alone your problem.
Thank you for your input. I also wasn't surprised the dealers couldn't reproduce the issue. How could I check if there's something wrong with the 1-2 synchros? Do I just need to bring it to a mechanic?