I am noticing a jerkiness/ stuttering in first gear. It usually happens when I am downshifting coming to a stop light and right as I am about to shift into first the light turns green and I go ahead and shift into first and begin to accelerate but the car kinda lurches and stutters.

It only seems to do it when I have any forward motion then trying to accelerate in first. But from a dead stop it doesn't seem to.

Anyone else experience this?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Every stick shift car does this. You need to be very smooth on the throttle for it not to do it.

Or if you are already moving, just go to second.

 

I thought so, it just felt like something was slipping or not right. But wanted to make sure.

Thanks

 

First gear is always to lift the car off the ground, never use first gear to slow down

 

+1 on if you're already rolling use second gear.

 

I guess I will be saying the same. I would never/don't shift into 1st if my car is still moving.

 

I did it once, when I was 16. The sound I heard from the engine was so terrifying I've never done it again. I use compression braking all the time, but I do so with 2nd gear, never 1st.

What was that sound, you ask? It was my transmission going into its death throes and spraying itself all over the pavement in pieces.

 

I've never seen a manual that DIDN'T do that.