Won't Shift Into 1st Gear (Manual 5spd 2.7)

Hello TW! I have an '01 Tacoma with a manual 5spd transmission and 2.7L engine. I don't know if this is to safeguard from overrevving or its an issue; when I am driving, I am unable to shift into 1st gen unless im going slower than 7 or 8 mph. I know you don't want to be in 1st much faster than this, just seems weird that I can't do it. I can't really force it either. Is this just a safeguard for the transmission? Or is something broken/worn (I have 293,000 miles). Thank you!

 

Normal. Don't force it. Double clutching makes it easier but I usually wait until I'm at about 5mph or so to put it in first.

 

Ok. Double Clutching is pressing the clutch twice before shifting?

 

"The double-clutching technique involves the following steps:

• The accelerator (throttle) is released, the clutch pedal is pressed and the gearbox is shifted into neutral.
• The clutch pedal is then released, the driver matches the engine speed to the gear speed either using the throttle (accelerator) (when changing to a lower gear) or waiting for engine speed to decrease (when changing to a higher gear) to a level suitable for shifting into the next gear.
• At the moment when the revs between the input shaft (i.e. engine revs) and gear are closely matched, the driver then presses the clutch again, shifts into the next gear, and releases the clutch. The result should be a smooth gear change."

you'll notice it's easier to get into first while moving when the RPMs are at a certain speed, you get a feel for it eventually. Just don't force it into gear if it doesn't want to go smoothly.

 

Awesome thanks! I won't be forcing it into 1st, just thought i'd ask

 

Took me a while to get used to that with mine too, you’re not alone

 

Okay, I wanted to make sure something isn't broken