Just changed my gear oil with Mobil 1 synthetic. Now sometimes I grind my gears when I'm putting it into 1st gear. The clutch is fully depressed when this happens. Anyone have a clue??

i get the same problem now to. 2600 miles on my car about and it just started, still using the fluid that came with the car. It used to just be hard to put into first while going like 20mph but now it justs grinds like the reverse type grinding if i am at 20 or above. I haven't tried this method but people say to just double clutch and rev match to what u need to be at then quikly put it in first.

For the WRX, you shouldn't even be trying to be putting it in 1st while moving at all, unless it's absolutely necessary.

well when i'm on mt. hamilton there are many times that going into first helps so i sorta want to find a way thats easy to do.

You will kill your tranny by continually changing into 1st at 20mph, won't your car hold speed at 20mph in 2nd? I'm not familiar with Mt. Hamilton. I NEVER change into 1st unless stationary, heard to many horror stories about tranny problems and need to take every measure possible to not make my WRX a statistic. Wouldn't floor the gas or redline it in 1st either, 1st is geared low in these cars because of the AWD.

learn to rev match.

According to TURBO magazine, this is a common problem with WRX trannies. A better tranny oil will usually solve the problem. They recommended Neo Synthetic, it's what they use on the WRC cars. After changing to a better lube you can usually fine 1st gear at around 20 mph. But I agree in that you shouldn't shift into first while moving, great way to blow up your tranny if you aren't careful.

I usually downshift to a stop but I don't downshift into 1st.
I stop in2nd and coast the rest of the way.

Don't downshift into first gear when moving. If you insist on it, and you have a transmission problem, it's your fault considering how often you have heard not to do it. Why risk it?

Originally posted by BAN SUVS
Don't downshift into first gear when moving. If you insist on it, and you have a transmission problem, it's your fault considering how often you have heard not to do it. Why risk it?

I agree, although it's really too bad we don't get the same gear ratios as the JDM WRX does. Stupid magazine racer marketing types put way too tall of a second gear in our cars.

No they didn't. Imprezas are one of the few cars currently sold that can't reach 60 mph in 2nd gear. The problem is that 1st and 2nd are too short, and more importantly, spaced too far apart. If they were taller, you could downshift to 1st like you can in lesser cars.

Originally posted by BAN SUVS
No they didn't. Imprezas are one of the few cars currently sold that can't reach 60 mph in 2nd gear. The problem is that 1st and 2nd are too short, and more importantly, spaced too far apart. If they were taller, you could downshift to 1st like you can in lesser cars.

Maybe you're confusing the ratios on the USDM 2.5RS with those of the USDM WRX. On page 7-12 of my owner's manual, it clearly states that the maximum allowable speed for the 2.0 liter turbo in second gear is 61 mph...:confused:
As a contrast, the maximum allowed speed in second for a stock 2002 2.5RS is 48 mph, which goes a long way towards explaining how fun the RS is to drive with *only* 165 horsepower.

Yes, a large part of the problem is that first and second are spaced too far apart. If second gear were geared lower, people would not want/need to downshift into first gear while rolling.

Spend the 1500 and get the RA gear set. 1st is slightly taller and 2nd is slightly lower bringing the gear spacing just right. Our cars are gear like they are for one reason to pass smog and cafe standards. To bad.

Originally posted by BlingBlingBlue
Maybe you're confusing the ratios on the USDM 2.5RS with those of the USDM WRX. On page 7-12 of my owner's manual, it clearly states that the maximum allowable speed for the 2.0 liter turbo in second gear is 61 mph...:confused:
As a contrast, the maximum allowed speed in second for a stock 2002 2.5RS is 48 mph, which goes a long way towards explaining how fun the RS is to drive with *only* 165 horsepower.

Yes, a large part of the problem is that first and second are spaced too far apart. If second gear were geared lower, people would not want/need to downshift into first gear while rolling.

Oops. Please pardon my lack of perspective. Excuse me while I go write 'The world does not revolve around my aRSe' 100 times...

Originally posted by BAN SUVS
Oops. Please pardon my lack of perspective. Excuse me while I go write 'The world does not revolve around my aRSe' 100 times...

Just because you have closer gear ratios doesn't mean the world revolves around your aRSe!:D

I figured you were thinking of the RS...I don't think SOA was shooting for eye catching 0-60 times with the RS, although they sure hit a sweet spot on the "fun to drive" meter. Besides 0-60 times, I think they put extra tall gearing in the rex to make the EPA fuel economy #'s look better. 55 in fifth gear is revving pretty low...