2nd gear tuff when clod -> can someone explain why

[Rboudrea]

Can anyone explain why my 2001 S is so hard to shift into 2nd gear when cold? When it warms up there is no problem. I am seeking a technical explanation.

[san rensho]

Does it have porsche gear oil in it? Other oils don't work well and typically give the symptoms you are experiencing. Change it to porsche oil and see what happens.

[thstone]

When cold, a worn syncho doesn't match the gear speeds as quickly or as easily as when warm which makes shifting hard. Very common symptom when the weather starts to cool off.

Shifting a little slower when cold will give the syncho a little more time to match the speeds and/or allows the revs to drop closer to the slower 2nd gear speed (which is basically the same thing but depends on your point of view).