I have a 2008 honda civic lx sedan. I've been having problems getting it into first gear, sometimes it won't let me put it into first. Any ideas on what the problem is? I took my car to the shop and they said that whenever that happens he says to put it into third gear first and then try putting it back to first, it works occassionally but not consistent.


Btw I'm new to this forum.

 

Have you checked whether the transmission fluid is low? Is the car still under warranty?

 

Hopefully its still under warranty. I doubt that you went over 36000 miles on a 08 Civic. On an older car, it usually are two other things along low trans fluid. The syncros are bad or the you have a problem with the clutch fluid. Make sure that you have enough fluid in the clutch reservoir. Sometimes it will leak either at the Master side(foot pedal) or the slave cylinder (Transmission). Since your car is fairly new, keep complaining to the dealer that is needs to be fixed. Also, I have a question. Does your clutch slip?

 

Yeah it's still under warranty. When I asked them they said it wasn't the transmission fluid. Oh thanks for the tip, I haven't asked them about the clutch fluid yet. What do you mean does my clutch slip?

 

There is a protective mechanism inside the transmission that prevents you from shifting the shift lever into first when above a certain speed. (15mph?? idk what speed)

 

I'm having the same problem on my '08 Si with 13K miles. At a dead stop, 50% of the time, the vehicle resists shifting into first gear. Often the only thing I can do is to shift initially into 2nd then into 1st. Has anyone had any resolve to this problem? I plan on taking it in for service but would like to have some knowledge of what the problem may be when talking to the service advisor. Thanks!