First gear

[moranphotography]

Anybody else have trouble sometimes changing into first gear. I sometimes have to pop it into second before it'll go into first at the lights. Anyone else have this problem?

[JakeWazza]

YES! I get this all the time but never knew how to word it properly so people would understand. I thought it could maybe be the Stop/Start when it blocks you from putting it in gear sticking on. I usually find lifting the clutch and pressing it down again solves it.

[moranphotography]

Does seem odd and annoying really, interested to see if anyone else has the problem. Don't want to wait till the first service if it is a fault. I might contact CUK to discuss

[lfcrule1972]

I thought it could maybe be the Stop/Start when it blocks you from putting it in gear sticking on.

Hi - not sure what you mean by this as I've had two DS3s with the stop/start and never experienced what you describe ?

[cyclone]

Don't know if you guys have 5 or 6 speed transmissions but my 6 speed is sometimes reluctant when it is really cold out. Never to the point that it feels like it will not go into gear and it goes away when warmed up.

[lfcrule1972]

I have the six speed box too mate, I agree it can be reluctant when it's v cold but this is common to my previous Astra as well

[cyclone]

Once had an old Alfa with bad synchros that when stopped had to be shifted into second before first.

[Toxic]

Yep usually the Syncros start wearing and make it difficult to select a gear, though also could be the clutch/thrust bearing not disengaging the gear correctly and thus making it harder to select a new gear whist gearing is moving.

what type of miles are on your cars guys?

[lfcrule1972]

I'm on 14k Simon.... the reluctance to go into first ( by that I mean a slight resistance) has been there from day one on both DS3s

[Toxic]

Strange. My THP is on 28k, no issues at all. Also my other half has a 1.6 VTI with about 1k on it has no issue like this either.

[Chris_Blue]

My THP seems OK on 1st gear too, altho all the gears can be a bit clunky occasionally

[Bryn]

Sounds like it could be a synchromesh issue to me. My C4 used to do it on reverse quite a lot, and I always assumed that it was because reverse was the only gear without synchromesh.
I'm no kind of expert, but it always felt as if the gears, instead of meshing, were meeting edge to edge. My DS3 sometimes crunches on selecting reverse, which I think is the same issue.
I know that clutch problems can cause difficulty changing gears but, surely, they would manifest in all gears not just first (or in my case reverse?)
...Or this could all be rubbish!!

[Pepper23]

YES I get this with my ds3. It's a 1.6 ehdi so only the 5 gear, but I find when I'm at the traffic lights sometimes I find it hard to get into first. Lifting the clutch up and down does help but it still isn't always that easy. Not a clue what it is.

[RichardL]

I have the same on mine, it's a 5 speed at only 3000 miles but it's been like that since day one.
It feels almost like there's quite a bit of resistance to get it into first. Nothing major, but definitely noticeable.

[moranphotography]

I've emailed Citroen (well the dealer I got mine from anyway) today, lets see if they come back with something. Mines the 1.6 eHdi also, mine seems to be happening often than not lately.