First Gear In Automatic Transmission

I have a 1997 Hyundai Elantra GLS with a 1.8 liter engine and automatic transmission. My car has 113,800 miles on it. When the engine is cold the car has a hard time down shifting into first when I come to a stop. The problem is so pronounced that the car has choked down and stopped the engine from running several times. The car starts right back up again but continues with this problem until the car warms up. My car also has problems engaging into first gear when the engine is cold. The engine will rev up and then engage into to first with a slight jerk. After the car warms up to operating temperature these problems go away and the car starts off in and downs shifts into first gear properly. Does anyone know what is causing this problem?

I have a 1997 Hyundai Elantra GLS with a 1.8 liter engine and automatic transmission. My car has 113,800 miles on it. When the engine is cold the car has a hard time down shifting into first when I come to a stop. The problem is so pronounced that the car has choked down and stopped the engine from running several times. The car starts right back up again but continues with this problem until the car warms up. My car also has problems engaging into first gear when the engine is cold. The engine will rev up and then engage into to first with a slight jerk. After the car warms up to operating temperature these problems go away and the car starts off in and downs shifts into first gear properly. Does anyone know what is causing this problem?


It sounds like it might have something to do with the fluidity of your tranny fluid..have you had the tranny flushed and refilled lately? It should be rather inexpensive.