Hard to get into 1st when moving

[osama1234]

Hi, ok so i am a complete newbie, but am trying to learn about cars, that's why i bought the car, so forgive really stupid questions. Also, i will try to get my hands on a credit card so i can buy a toyota manual, which is probably going to be helpful.

1) i have a haynes manual and i can't find how to check manual transmission fluid level. It doesn't even mention anything about what exactly lubricates manual transmission, which i searched on google and founds manual transmission fluid exists for some cars, i just dont know why it isn't talked about for the supra in haynes and where exactly to check the level and put new fluid in.

2)the problem i have is that somewhere in my steering system there is a leak, and so often i run out of steering fluid. I can tell that one of the lines from the bottle that i fill up goes to the steering rack, but i can't tell where the other line from the bottle goes, i'm thinking perhaps its transmission, which is why i'm worried now. Can running out of steering fluid ruin anything aside from steering related things (basically what i mean is is the steering fluid used for something unrelated to steering also?)

3) whenever i am stopped, i can get into first and second gear easily but its when the car is moving, and say i'm in second and i want to downshift, its impossible to get it into first. what could be causing this.

(btw, i've checked the clutch fluid and it isn't low)

if someone could please touch on all 3 points, i would be eternally grateful.

thanks

 

[Fletch124]

Your not supposed to be able to get it into first moving. You can try synthetic power steering fluid, from a buddies experience it seems to leak less. To check tranny fluid you have to find the large(15/16") bolt on the drivers side on the side of the tranny, take it off and if alittle bit of tranny fluid leaks out then its full, if none then you need to take off your shifter and add some MT-90 til it starts leaking out of the hole.

 

[osama1234]

i will try to find this bolt. And if someone could just touch on point 2.
(i will try tomorrow, my head is still hurting from the heat today)

And as evident, i am learning to drive a stick. (i've ridden a motorcycle and downshifting whilst brake (even into first) is recommended by riding schools) so this business of not shifting into first is definitely a new thing for me.

Thanks

 

[suprahooked]

Heres a link to the online manual.
http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/techtips.aspx

 

[suprahooked]

1 more thing the steering has nothing to do with the transmission.

 

[CRE]

Unless you're racing don't worry about down shifting before a stop... brake pads are easier and cheaper to replace than the clutch.


And before anybody starts, I'm not saying that I don't do it... I'm just saying he shouldn't be worrying about it while he's still getting a feel for things.



EDIT: At what RPM are you at while in second before you try to drop it into first?

 

[osama1234]

I never really paid attention to when i was 'trying' to shift into first, but if i had to say a number, i'd say 2000 rpm in second.

(the number i'm throwing out there may not really be true, in reality it probably range from 1200 - 2500 rpm as to me the phenomenon of 'a car's first gear allowing it increase in rpm a lot and not a whole lot in terms of speed' is a new thing to me. I'm totally used to major increases in speed with increases in rpm (motorcycle). So i may not be able to put my finger on the number.

while at the topic of shifting: for my 86 NA, what do you guys think is probably acceptable 'city-pace' spot to upshift. I shift at 3000 rpm, which seems quite a lot when i compare it to my brother's automatic 89 accord (it shifts at 2000) but any less and it feels like you've barely even gotten moving in one gear before you have to switch to another.

*sorry if i sound like someone who is abusing a poor MKIII*

 

[Poodles]

hold it there for a sec and bump the gas, it will go in usually...

 

[screaminglemon]

try double-clutching.

 

[osama1234]

I'll try those, but i suppose if its not really meant to be taken into first gear whilst moving, i'll just not do it.

@ suprahooked: OMG!!! thanks so much for the link to the service manual.

 

[CRE]

I doubt anyone thought you were "abusing" the Supra.:biglaugh:

I can shift into first while while moving, but it's not easy if I'm doing more than 20MPH.

 

[Guyana00]

My advice is pretty much what has been said, just reinforcing this: No need to shift into first gear until ur stopped.

Also, ur shifting seems fine to me at 3k. Try to stay in the sweet spot, 2500-3500. The lower u rpm u shift at the more gas u'll save but if ur in the city it can get annoying to some people and the second thing about that is u dont get to take advantage of that gear in terms of power/pull. So when u go to hit it, being in a higher gear and at lower rpm u wont get as much of an instant response compared to if ur in a lower gear. Then again if ur in the city, stop and go traffic, it's no big deal, it's mostly cruising.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Unless you're racing don't worry about down shifting before a stop... brake pads are easier and cheaper to replace than the clutch.

Uhh... rev match.

 

[adampecush]

My advice is pretty much what has been said, just reinforcing this: No need to shift into first gear until ur stopped.

Also, ur shifting seems fine to me at 3k. Try to stay in the sweet spot, 2500-3500. The lower u rpm u shift at the more gas u'll save but if ur in the city it can get annoying to some people and the second thing about that is u dont get to take advantage of that gear in terms of power/pull. So when u go to hit it, being in a higher gear and at lower rpm u wont get as much of an instant response compared to if ur in a lower gear. Then again if ur in the city, stop and go traffic, it's no big deal, it's mostly cruising.

goddamnit! "you" and "you're" are not that hard to type!!

shifting into first while moving is pointless...there, i said it.

 

[MDCmotorsports]

Lets start from the top.

You shouldn't be able to shift into first when over 10mph or so. Its built that way for a reason. ;-)

Second, you'll need some UV dye and a black light to pinpoint your leak. Put the car up on a rack and have some one turn the wheel left and right and see if you can pinpoint where the dye is comming out at.

DO NOT PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN YOUR POWER STEERING!

It takes ATF fluid.

Last, there isn't an easy way of checking the fluid level on the W58 or R154. To make ease of mind, I normally change my transmission fluid every other oil change.

Its easy to do, and doesn't cost much.

 

[starscream5000]

I you want to get the best gas mileage and don't care about the people behind you, shift gears at about 2K RPM with slow, I mean slow acceration. If you don't want to go that route, then 2.5K is about where I'd do it.

 

[Merlyn]

DO NOT PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN YOUR POWER STEERING!

OH SHIT... that may be why my car blew up.. damn miss labeling things...

can't believe I thought power steering fluid went into your power steering... christ when will I learn
( sorry more so an attack at the car industry for changing up fluids )

 

[MDCmotorsports]

OH SHIT... that may be why my car blew up.. damn miss labeling things...

can't believe I thought power steering fluid went into your power steering... christ when will I learn
( sorry more so an attack at the car industry for changing up fluids )

You're not the first to do it, so dont' worry. :icon_razz

 

[Poodles]

doing twisties I'e had to downshift to first, you have to rev match it's the only way it will go in...

 

[osama1234]

Thanks for all the responses. I actually paid attention while driving today, and basically if i'm rolling i can't shift into first (even if revs have dropped to idle). I pretty much have to be stopped to shift into first. (and to answer the question, i was basically downshifting to first when at 1500 rpm)

And thanks about the headsup, but i've been putting 'automatic transmission fluid' labelled techron III into the steering system because that's what it says on the steering fluid bottle.

@ MDC: I would try it, but i have the feeling that it maybe for the case where its a very small leak and hard to find where its coming from. Unfortunately in my case, the part where the steering lines attach to the 'rack and pinion' nearby i can totally see with my eyes there is fluid in between the meeting spots. Its hard to tell where its originating from, and to make matters worse, soon after the chassis (underneath the steering rack) has fluid dripping from it and there is pretty much wetness everywhere...lol.

But i've noticed incredible amounts of fluid falling when i turn a lot to park, i guess i'll have someone turn the wheel and see if i can find it.

And just to improve my morale, how many of you guys know so much from just fixing your own cars or are you guys mechanics?