Topic: Cold weather shifting in Golf R

[JohnnyMac]

This is my second winter with my manual Golf R and this winter has been a much harder one.  Last year I didn't notice any difference in shifting gears when it was cold out.  This year there has been times when I first start the vehicle that I can't get it in gear, especially reverse.  This only occurs when it's -15 out or colder and if I start the vehicle and let it warm up for 5-10 minutes it's a non-issue.  My question is should this be occuring on a new vehicle (under 12,000kms) and other than letting it warm up before trying to move it is there any alternatives?  Has anyone else experience this issue.  I should also note that I do not have a garage currently and my Golf R did not come with a engine block heater (and I'm scared to know how much one would cost to put in).  Should I be mentioning this to the dealer and take it in for them to look at?

[Mike]

It's most likely the fluid freezing up. Not becoming a solid block of ice, but becoming sludge like. My 2004 RX-8 was horrible for this. As soon as it dipped below -20 getting into any gear basically required double clutching and a lot of elbow grease. My 1990 MX-5 was not a fan of cold shifting either.

My WRXs didn't have this issue and neither does the Mazda2. I guess it's hit or miss depending on the car, design, fluid, etc.

[Gurgie]

You could take it to the dealer & complain... that might get them to change out the fluid. I always found going into 1st & then into reverse helped in these situations also.

[JohnnyMac]

You could take it to the dealer & complain... that might get them to change out the fluid. I always found going into 1st & then into reverse helped in these situations also.

The problem with taking it to the dealer will be they'll want to see and experience the issue before they do anything.  It's a bit of a hassle to park my vehicle there overnight and not have it for the next morning.  I don't enjoy just "muscling it" into gear as it feels like I would do damage.  It feels like trying to put it in gear without having the clutch peddle pressed fully.  It's really difficult to put it in gear, but when I let it warm up for awhile it's not an issue.

[tpl]

Replace the gearbox oil with a high performance synthetic like Amsoil. RR will know which one.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

We haven't been as cold as we usually get, but it has hit -30 a few times. The Passat's shifter gets pretty stiff, but nothing I'd consider out of the ordinary compared to the manual Subaru I had out here.

Different transmission to the Golf R though. 

[JohnnyMac]

We haven't been as cold as we usually get, but it has hit -30 a few times. The Passat's shifter gets pretty stiff, but nothing I'd consider out of the ordinary compared to the manual Subaru I had out here.

Different transmission to the Golf R though.

Have you had any issues getting your Passat in gear when it's that cold out?  Do you keep your vehicle in a garage?  Do you use a block heater?

[JohnnyMac]

Replace the gearbox oil with a high performance synthetic like Amsoil. RR will know which one.

Yeah I'm thinking that would be the quickest fix for this issue.  Question is which is the best for cold weather?  Should VW be covering any of this under warranty?  How much should doing such a change cost?  Also what kind of gearbox oil does my Golf R come with from factory, it might be synthetic from the factory like the engine oil, in which case how much of an improvement could I possibly see from a fluid change in the gear box?

[EV-Light]

take it to VW, it's still under warranty!

having said that, I did a quick search online and it does seem like a common problem with VW manual transmission - some people mention replacing the oil with synthetic (totally assume the trans oil was already synthetic...). Mind you these reports were mostly from GTI owners, so not sure if it is the same transmission.

[Ex-airbalancer]

shifter gets pretty stiff, but nothing I'd consider out of the ordinary

Are you  using Tadalafil   

[tortoise]

I find it helps to let the car idle for a 5 or so minutes before taking of.  That gives the fluid time to warm up a little.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

We haven't been as cold as we usually get, but it has hit -30 a few times. The Passat's shifter gets pretty stiff, but nothing I'd consider out of the ordinary compared to the manual Subaru I had out here.

Different transmission to the Golf R though.

Have you had any issues getting your Passat in gear when it's that cold out?  Do you keep your vehicle in a garage?  Do you use a block heater?

Getting into reverse can be a bit balky when it's really cold. Usually a double clutch and it pops in. I do keep it in the garage overnight, which gets down to about -15 at the worst. It's outside all day.
The car doesn't have a block heater, which still ticks me off. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

shifter gets pretty stiff, but nothing I'd consider out of the ordinary

Are you  using Tadalafil   

 

[OliverD]

Don't think I've ever owned a car where the shifter didn't initially feel a bit different when it was really cold out. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think at best you can expect the dealer to change the transmission oil but they'll likely just replace it with whatever was in there in the first place.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Toyota fwd transmissions were stiff and with the weak synchros would be pretty crunchy until they had some heat in them.

[EV-Light]

I find it helps to let the car idle for a 5 or so minutes before taking of.  That gives the fluid time to warm up a little.

yeah...! I always remote start my vehicle so it's warmish when I get there, gives time for all the moving parts to warm up a bit. Also plug when it's -15C and below...it makes a huge difference!

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Check compatibility with your R's transmission, but lots of people swear by Royal Purple.  Apparently it contains magical properties that enhances your transmission's 'smoothness' and makes it easier to get into gear, especially in colder weather.

[draghon]

The 6 speed in my civic is harder to shift when its really cold out and hasn't had a chance to warm up yet. I switched to redline synthetic MTL long ago which definitely improved the shift feel overall.

[ArticSteve]

Don't think I've ever owned a car where the shifter didn't initially feel a bit different when it was really cold out. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think at best you can expect the dealer to change the transmission oil but they'll likely just replace it with whatever was in there in the first place.

^^

Also as mentioned, double clutching is your friend.  Doubt VW is going to pay for an tranny oil change. 

Me, I'd be adding lower radiator hose heater.  Those things are fantastic providing there is room for it.

[Brig]

Me, I'd be adding lower radiator hose heater.  Those things are fantastic providing there is room for it.

That's what she said.