Posting for traffic - hard to get into 5th car

[Gakatsbsk]

Hello

Sorry for posting on AIBU but it’s for traffic.

The last two days I’ve noticed my car isn’t going into fifth gear as easily. It usually takes 2-3 attempts.

It has been cool on a morning, but not freezing. I don’t skip gears and the car manages perfectly fine with 1-2-3-4. I have to push right down to get it into 5 (like putting it in to reverse).

On the failed attempts it seems to go into third gear by accident.

I drive on the motorway, so am going at adequate speeds to use fifth gears.

I have googled it but it never slips into neutral or anything and on attempt 2/3 when it gets into fifth gear it stays in fifth, no issues.
I appreciate maybe it’s my technique 😆 and I’ve just lost the knack or something but my car is only 2.5 years old and I’m super concerned the clutch will need replacing or something which will cost thousands.

Thanks

Omg the title, 5th gear 😆 not my 5th car

It might be your gear box oil. Or a worn linkage. Get the car checked.

Take it to the garage - for a car that age I'd go to a main dealer. If anyone else drives it, could be worth having them see whether it happens to them. Are you putting your foot down far enough on the clutch?

You need to take it to have it checked.

OP if you're driving daily on the motorway you really do need to get it looked at urgently-a failed gearbox at 70mph in traffic can be catastrophic to your car, and the impact on other drivers doesn't bear thinking about.

Is it covered by warranty still? Unfortunately major repairs are expensive, that's one of the downsides of car ownership, and something that ideally you should bear in mind when considering the cost of maintaining a car.

What vehicle is it?

Thanks everyone. I will get it checked but i did only notice it yesterday on my way to work, I’m on shift 2 of 3.

It’s a Skoda citigo

And I’m the cars second owner so I don’t think covered by warranty but I will check. Thanks

And although I drive on the motorway there is an alternate route that is a 30 max so I may take that route home and can get public transport tomorrow

OP you've spent maybe £5-6k on a car with zero budget/expectation for any major work?

It needs booking in ASAP, do check if there's any manufacturer warranty available especially for major mechanical faults (though I suspect clutch is wear and tear so may not be covered)

A 2.5 year old car shouldn't need a new clutch. I've just had mine done at 90,000 miles.

It won't be the clutch, that feels like power to the engine has gone, almost slippery trying to build speed. Sounds like something in the gear box. I agree though with pp, you need it checked ASAP

@Couldhavebeenme2 I have significant savings for car repairs (and insurance) and expect maintenance but significant work in a car that is 2.5 years old would be disappointing

I had a problem like this with an older car (albeit gear 2>3) and it was the syncromesh in the gearbox.
As a PP said, shouldn't be the clutch. Not yet.

The car has an appointment, it had zero issues on the drive back and went into fifth straight off the mark but I’ll get it checked x

Definitely not the clutch - or you'd have issues with other gears.

BUT

Cheap - linkage - new bushes, a missing pin etc
Expensive - gearbox internals

Does sound gearbox related but It has a 3 year warranty, why not straight back to the main dealer?

we once had a Maestro (yes...i am very old!) that didn't like reverse and that was a linkage thing, very easily fixed.

Dh wouldn't have it that anything was wrong and mostly it was only me that had issues with it and as a new driver I did just think it was me, but it wasn't and it was fixed after he had to push the car out of a space as reverse failed completely.
Ever since that and an SD1 that hated him and would play him up for starting he has unshakeable faith in my Car Spidey Senses. I am no mechanic, but I KNOW when something is awry with a car, and have been very right on lots of occasions!

Hi, thanks everyone. As is probably quite clear I have a lot to learn about cars, and always jump to the worst and most expensive conclusion.

I passed my test 4 years ago but only drove on/off til august last year when I properly drove so I’m still new really

Manufacturers warrant is usually 3 years on a car, check your paperwork.

Sounds like a gear linkage to me, but get it into the workshop as soon as you can to get it checked out.

I wouldn’t expect a linkage/clutch failure at only 2.5 yrs old unless it’s exceptionally high mileage.

@Singlebutmarried

Thanks, it’s booked in and the miles are quite low (10k)