Gear selection difficult when cold?

[K1Mac]

having only recently taken delivery of the RS I have noticed in the mornings that it's quite difficult to select reverse and 1st/2nd.
I always start the car for about 5mins to warm up before setting off but obviously this is before the oil is up to optimum temp.

is this a common issue and nothing to be alarmed about?

[Dave_M]

Welcome! I've certainly noticed mine's harder to engage gears in this temperature until there's some heat in the gearbox oil, so I'd say that's probably normal.

Dave

[BruceBanner]

having only recently taken delivery of the RS I have noticed in the mornings that it's quite difficult to select reverse and 1st/2nd.
I always start the car for about 5mins to warm up before setting off but obviously this is before the oil is up to optimum temp.

is this a common issue and nothing to be alarmed about?

Is the gearbox smooth in all gears once warm?

[K1Mac]

Yeah once it's up to temp there isn't any problem and it's as it should be to select reverse & 1st

[adsgreen]

ditto. Nothing major just a little "firm" when trying to engage 1st, 2nd and reverse. Generally end up doing tsomething like "try 1st, fail, try 2nd a little better, try reverse straight it".
once warm (not even warm just not ice cold) it's absolutely fine so I would put it down to the extreme weather.
With the vxr8 and the truck gearbox (not kidding) it was a job requiring both arms to get the b'stard into gear when cold.

[merlinus98]

same here !
at cold start, it's often (very) difficult in 1st or 2nd, generally much easier to engage 3rd and 4th, then go back to 1st.
after a few minutes, all gears become smooth

[Dave7]

I know exactly what you mean, some people even have the odd 2nd gear pop out if not in properly due to not being firm enough.
I normally miss 2nd and go from 1st to 3rd if around 0 degrees as its very stiff.

My winter morning goes something like this - 1st to 3rd - end of street to STOP... 1st to 3rd to 4th 300 yds STOP at the lights - 1st then 2nd is fine and away I go.
I don't like being brutal with a cold gearbox!

Also just a quick note about starting your engine and letting it run for a few minutes - DONT! Start it and drive away as you need to warm your engine while driving otherwise you're doing it unnecessary hard but running it for longer periods while cold.

[K1Mac]

well it certainly seem slike I'm not alone and by the sounds of it not something to be overally concerned about.

with regards to the having it running before setting off, I don't have it running till it's fully up to temp, I do this as I live close to the motorway, so it doesn't get warmed up toodaling along at 30 for long before i go up through the gears to 70, just something I've always kinda done, good to get the heated seats warmed up also

[adsgreen]

Its fine driving cold on the motorway - just don't labour the engine too low or rev it to high. Circa 2.5k rpm is a happy medium. Just be gentle and no need to warm up the engine.

[Brooner]

RS gear boxs have always been a bit notchy in the cold the B5 was like that too just the oil needing warmed up by the sounds of it

[mac911rs4]

Hi K1mac,

Just a quick line to say i had the same problem. Brought my car from Audi 3 weeks ago and was a little tough for 1st and reverse gears. Took it in and Audi agreed it seemed a little tough, after removing the gearbox and checking, they've said it's a knackered clutch and they're fitting a new one FOC. this is today's news, which i'm happy about and i'll obviously report back if there's still an issue with 1st and reverse, my cars 07 plate with 24k on the clock, one owner before (ben hurr i think) !
Hope this helps a little

M

[K1Mac]

I hope that doesn't help mac911rs4 I was more happy with the other replies before you

[mac911rs4]

know where your coming from, but if it was a new purchase i'd suggest checking that route, on our instance Audi have agreed to replace the clutch FOC as it wasn't picked up on their pre sales inspection, so i've been lucky...for once. Needless to say, hope this isn;t the issue with yours.

[Terry1948]

I have to say that my gear changes have always been quite easy even when cold. It is one of the lightest clutches and gear changes I have ever had. I would get a second oppinion to rule out anything you are doing and set your mind at rest.