Can't Downshift to First.

[KarlKarlson]

Hi,
I just bought a '90 Legacy, and it's in such great condition I can hardly believe it. There's only one thing that I've noticed so far, and I dont know if its a problem or a safety feature. I cant seem to downshift into first gear while i'm still rolling. And i dont know if it's just an engine feature to prevent damage, or if its common to all cars because I'm new to 5 spd. as well.
Any suggestions?

[HAWG]

Subarus are generally hard to shift down to first while rolling. I usually wait until I am just about stopped to put into first gear. has to do with the synchronizer for that gear.

[KarlKarlson]

Cool, thanks.
I'll probly just do what you do. Forcing it onto first doesnt really seem like a good idea.

[SabreKhan]

Put it in neutral (foot off the clutch) and blip the throttle to bring the revs up a little. Take your foot off the gas, get back on the clutch, and shift into first while the revs are still a little higher than idle. This will help the synchros out a little bit by spinning the transmission parts at a speed similar to that of the engine parts. The synchs don't have as much work to do, thus it's not as hard to shift.

If you want to get really hardcore (which I doubt you do if you drive a Legacy), you can learn to heel-toe and skip the synchros altogether. Match the revs of your engine to the speed of the transmission before each downshift by using your toe on the brake and your heel on the gas, while simultaneously double-clutching (so that the gear selector pauses in neutral during each downshift). It's hard to learn, but in my opinion is totally worth the learning curve because it makes you a better driver and a better car owner. It also makes you safer, since you're not unbalancing the car in the middle of a turning maneuver (leaning on the engine and the synchs in a "regular" downshift causes the car's weight to shift, a dangerous thing in emergency or high-performance maneuvers).

[KarlKarlson]

Haha, thanks for the advice. I'll try the first thing you said there. I'm not really a y"hardcore kind of guy.

I think I'll just focus on learning the basics of MT before all that other stuff.
Cheers.

[SabreKhan]

I figured. Thought I'd give you the option, though; better too much information than not enough.