Hard to put into gear

[ItsNotLupus]

I have a 2008 Cobalt LS sedan 5 speed with less than 500 miles, and I've begun to notice it takes more and more effort to put it in gear for the first time after the clutch pedal goes down.

For example, say I'm in neutral, I push the clutch pedal down, and it requires a lot of force to throw it into 1st, but if I keep the clutch pedal down after putting it into 1st, return it to neutral, then try it again, it's easy to put in first.

This happens going to any gear going from neutral (not that I would do that while driving, just for diagnosing the problem). It also is hard going from 3rd or 2nd to 1st gear if I'm coasting to a stop that will be quick where I just want to leave the clutch pedal down.

I'm going to have it looked at, but wondering if anyone might know what's going on? I'm thinking it could be something to do with the clutch not fully disengaging, adding more force to the clutch pedal doesn't seem to make it any easier though, maybe it could be part of the hydraulic system with the clutch, or completely something else. I just don't really know much about the internals of a car. Thanks

Edit: It could also be possible that there is no problem at all for the car especially since it's new I guess, gotta work it in maybe? Wondering if this is a normal thing and if I should stop worrying about it so much.

[nugz]

The cobalt syncromesh transmission isnt quite the best when it comes to the reliability of the syncros...A syncro if you are wondering, is an extra gear in the transmission that aligns the other gears to allow easier shifting. To get it into 1st, sometimes its easier to put it into 2nd to line up the syncros a little better and then put it into 2nd. Hope this helps you.

[coBALTIMORE]

I have the same problem. But I do just nugz said. I just put into a dif. gear first(I use 3rd) then everything is fine. I glad Im not the only one. I was about to take to the dealership.

[ItsNotLupus]

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to try it more when I get it back, it's being looked at right now. I tried it doing it though as a friend suggested earlier, not sure if it's a lot better. For me it seems that it's just as hard to put into 2nd or other gears as it is to put into 1st.

[VenOm0713]

i have the same problem.. i have to play around with shifting to diff gears and then they will smooth out until the next time i have to start shifting again lol.. i wonder if i can take it to the dealer?

[markuskopa]

i have the same problem

[cobaltkrazy]

take it to the dealer

[bshep20]

i have that same problem, i'll either release the clutch then press it down again and try 1st again or i'll use 2nd first then go up to 1st. This is my second cobalt 5 spd and they both had this problem

[ItsNotLupus]

Sorry about the delay, the dealer checked it out and said its normal. They told me they had just tried one of their cobalts on the lot with a 5 speed, and it shifts the same as mine. I wanted to just go check it out myself to see if its similar, and it turned out they didn't have any 5 speeds on the lot at all. I'm sure the mechanic was speaking from experience...but don't make stuff up.

I'm glad I know its fine now, especially if everyone else feels the same way with theirs, but I'd still like to hop into another one to check sometime, I'll have to get to another dealer with a stick on hand.

[TenYearsBeOhBe]

This is common in all the balts, mine does it too, even on reverse as well. The best thing to do is to release the parking brake (if trying to get into reverse) and let the car roll just slightly and it'll pop right into gear, same story getting into first just don't mind the parking brake part, that's the only method I've found works every time... And by slightly I mean it doesn't even take an inch of movment...