Mine was doing that, until about 2500 miles, now it is smooth with no problems.

 

Yep, Deb, you've got the right idea!! Drive it more!!

 

i got 3000 km on it and still it was better day one when i picked it up,,,, sems to have appeared after 1500km/.

 

Hi. Not knowing how these new ones are, I'd say that as the gears in the transaxle break in they will wear a little, and not be as tight as they are when new. I'm guessing you are allowing the car to warm up in neutral of the morning then trying to shift into 1st gear. I would try to put it in 4th or 5th then into 1st until it gets worn in so to speak. Sometimes this works out better. Have had heavy duty transmissions with heavier grease do this years ago when cold, and after warmed up worked OK. The gears are turning so fast, they don't have time to slow down and the gear oil allows them to keep turning even when disengaged with the clutch from the engine, putting them into a higher gear will help slow them down a bit.

 

I've got a 5sp MTX in my HHR and every so often it 'sticks' (for lack of a better term). Haven't really noticed any rhyme or reason as to 'when' it does it- just seems to do it when it wants (warm, cold, after drive, before drive,... DURING drive!)!?!?!?
I've got 4k miles on it so far and, although I wouldn't call it a problem, I've noticed this issue since day one. Guess I just chaulked it up as one of the vehicles little quirks ?
Haven't noticed it's getting any better, or worse, for that matter. Also curious if SYNTHETIC fluids would have any effect? (Want to switch but not sure if I can do on my own)!

 

Although I'm not having any issues with my manual tranny, those of you who are might want to try replacing the lubricant with GM Synchromesh. I don't know what GM puts into the tranny from the manufacture but it's most likely not the Synchromesh lubricant. I know that many manual tranny cars nowdays come with ATF in the MTX gearbox to improve their overall fleet fuel mileage numbers.

We had similar issues with the Ford Focus. Stiff shifting, noisy 3rd gear synchro, etc. But when we replaced the lubricant with GM Synchromesh these issues went away. And the Ford Focus does use ATF in their MTX.

Other folks have also got similar results going to something like red line and royal purple synthetics, and that sort of thing. But the cost of those lubricant's are much more expensive than GM Synchromesh. And the GM Synchromesh can be purchased at any GM dealer.

Just some information to bounce around your brain cells...

 

The first front drive cars (Citations) and Cavaliers had ATF fluid in them. I used to work on them. In Florida, I was the only one that would, for awhile. I mostly worked on Automatics, rear wheel drives, but changed professions after the first front wheel drives came out. I guess the Syncromesh must have came along latter too? Sounds good to me, GM always has a better fluid or additive for problems with their products, ie additive for the rear differential of limited slip differentials..... Funny bout that too, huh?