Hi all,
I've just purchases a 2003 Protege ES about a month ago. It's pretty darn nice. I do have one concern....

The Protege is my first manual transmission car. The only other manual car that I have driven is a Ford Focus, during my driving lessons. I seem to have difficulty going from Neutral to 1st after I have come to a stop. But once I get it into 1st, then put it back to Neutral, then back into 1st again it's allot more smooth. It's not always difficult, just most of the time. It almost feels as if I'm grinding the gears.

Occansionally, it also feels this way when going from 1st to 2nd, but not as often as from N to 1st. Going from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th all seem find. It's just the first two gears.

Since this is my first manual car, I'm wondering if I should get it checked out?

Thanks so much!!

 

first thing to do is make sure you have the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. It sounds to me like the synchros are just a hair off. Once you get it in first it'll go into first smoothly. Do you ever have trouble getting into reverse? If so, go from first to reverse. I always floor the pedal at a stop or starting off. (not in driving of course!) and have had no problems. I find the Protege manual tranny one of the best transmissions I've ever used. If you have concerns that it may be abnormal take it to your dealer. Have them mark it on your history that you have complaints about the transmision. In case something should happen later you will have documentation.

Welcome to the club!!