Hard to shift into first.

My 2000 2.7 4x4 5 speed manual with 130k is getting hard to shift into 1st and sometimes 2nd. Is this what happens when its time for a new clutch? If so any recommendations, dealer vs local, OEM vs aftermarket.

 

Is it easy to shift into the other gears like normal? To me it sounds like you need to replace the gear oil in the manual gear box. Folks here report Red Line MT90 makes their shifting suuuuuper smooooooth

 

the short answer is maybe. The first sign is when the clutch engages, right off the carpet, early, or when the pedal is almost fully released, late.

 

I’d start by replacing the trans fluid