Hi folks, Im new to Fords, just got a 2012 Fiesta Zetec 1.25, I absolutely love it so far. However i'm not sure if its me being stupid, improper use of the gearbox/gear selecting, or a fault somewhere. When I have the clutch depressed doing around 15mph (Slowing down) I have trouble getting it into 1st gear, just feels like there is a wall there, is this due to the speed I am travelling at? Once I am stopped, or under 10mph, there is no issue going into 1st at all. it is when i've got the clutch down, and doing around 15mph and braking. Should I even be doing this? or just waiting til I am at a complete stop? I passed my test last year, and my previous car was automatic which was very boring, So I am still learning the ropes of manual again, after not being in one since my test pass day.

would love to hear some feedback, thanks

Chaz

It won’t let you get into 1st if you’re going too fast for the gear.
 

1.25L would be a diesel right? 1st gear in a diesel is really just for setting off from stationary. 

14 minutes ago, The Finance Guy said:

1.25L would be a diesel right? 1st gear in a diesel is really just for setting off from stationary. 

No 1.25 is the petrol. Pretty much same thing applies though. 1st is really for setting off only or in stop start traffic.

15mph is too fast to be changing into first gear. 

Ahh well that would make sense mate! Is this the case even if the clutch is down? and no, its the 1.25 Petrol Duratec Engine:) And you are right, 1st is up to about 5-6 mph.

To be honest you shouldn’t be trying to force it into first at that speed in any car, I don’t think you’re driving correctly.

My car has that engine. Only use first when the car has stopped. Trying to put it in to 1st when moving will be difficult. You might hear the gear crunching if you try it even with the clutch down. 

12 minutes ago, isetta said:

To be honest you shouldn’t be trying to force it into first at that speed in any car, I don’t think you’re driving correctly.

That's right, As I said im still learning the ropes after driving auto for 11 months!

9 minutes ago, Kevin#95 said:

My car has that engine. Only use first when the car has stopped. Trying to put it in to 1st when moving will be difficult. You might hear the gear crunching if you try it even with the clutch down. 

Noted, thanks for your reply!

8 hours ago, SlowFezz said:

Is this the case even if the clutch is down?

What? I think you need to go back to driving school lol. Don't tell me you're trying to change into first (or any gear tbh) without putting your foot on the clutch 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️.

I thought if you passed in an auto you could only drive an auto? Why on earth would you need to change into first at 15mph btw?

2 hours ago, Luke4efc said:

What? I think you need to go back to driving school lol. Don't tell me you're trying to change into first (or any gear tbh) without putting your foot on the clutch 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️.

I used to have a Granada Scorpio that had a bad habit of snapping clutch cable.   I once drove it all the way from the east coast to Nottingham with no clutch.   Not difficult if you can match the engine and road speeds.   Mind you, I don't think I've ever changed into 1st while moving.

1 hour ago, Bobr said:

I used to have a Granada Scorpio that had a bad habit of snapping clutch cable.   I once drove it all the way from the east coast to Nottingham with no clutch.   Not difficult if you can match the engine and road speeds.   Mind you, I don't think I've ever changed into 1st while moving.

I guess setting off was the issue. Never actually done it with a car. Red traffic lights nightmare with no clutch. I'm going off my experience on a lightweight 2-stroke motorbike with a broken clutch cable. Kick it into gear with low RPM and you stall. Rev it and kick it into first and it pulled a wheelie off the mark. Made you look like a complete moron. Cable took about a week to get in at dealers - ***** Suzuki's!!

That was a problem I sometimes had Rob.   Had to wait three day for a cable on one occasion.   Traffic lights were not much of a problem Just put it into 1st and operate the starter and 9 times out of ten we were off.   I remember on one occasion ringing Halfords to see if they had a cable in stock and they had.   The guy asked how I was going to get there with no clutch and didn't believe me when I said I was going to drive it.

Ah - a sort of bump start in gear using the starter motor! Makes sense, when I stalled the bike I paddled along with both feet and bumped it. Doesn't do much for your street cred when you're 20 and think you're cool though. 🙂

I also did the same as bobr to pull away when my Granada mk1 clutch cable snApped. I always wondered if the starter cog or ring gear would break.

13 hours ago, isetta said:

I also did the same as bobr to pull away when my Granada mk1 clutch cable snApped. I always wondered if the starter cog or ring gear would break.

Didn't seem to bother it.   I had the car for 170,000 miles and lost count of the clutch cables I replaced.   The only reason I parted with the car was when I couldn't get a new steering rack.   If yours was a Mk 1 and mine was a late Scorpio 4x4 it's a wonder Ford didn't sort the problem out in that time.

They didn't need to sort it, the new car sales were in financial trouble but the clutch cable parts department were doing ok. 🙂

To be fair to ford mine had been converted from automatic to manual. After two broken clutch cables I worked out it was because the angle where clutch cable   Came through bulk head was wrong. It was ok after I rectified that piece of poor conversion work

Mine had the 2.9 engine and the clutch was really heavy.   I couldn't believe the difference when I swapped it for a Fiesta 1.4 in 2006