I have a ford focus that I use just for work only but when it is cold it is very hard to get into gear when it has warmed up a bit there is no problem,a search on the web has shown it is not uncommon but I cannont find a answer so can any of you guys help please.

I had this problem with a Mondeo. Found it impossible to fix by bleeding, in fact this made it worse. Plenty of fluid in the reservoir, so could only assume that the line connecting the reservoir and the clutch master cylinder was blocked somehow.


As a last resort, I tried injecting hydraulic fluid into the clutch line via the bleed nipple using a small syringe and plastic tube, being careful not to introduce air into the line.


This worked perfectly and lasted several years before the problem came back, whereupon the same fix worked again.

Thanks for the reply I will have to try it but I cannot understand my it only does it when it is really cold weather.

has the gearbox oil been changed? I had a similar problem with a Peugeot after the gearbox oil was changed. The correct oil was a very expensive synthetic multigrade but the garage just used "house gearbox lube". Eventually got the oil changed out for the correct one & the problem went away. I think the correct oil was thinner when cold.

The problem I had with my Mondy was definitely clutch drag due to the clutch not disengaging sufficiently in cold conditions. Easily checked by trying to start from cold with 1st gear engaged and the clutch depressed. If the engine won't start and run as per a normal cold start, e.g., misfires/won't idle normally, it's got to be clutch drag.

agreed it could be clutch drag. But not in my case which was down to the wrong oil in the gearbox.

Thanks I will have the gear box oil changed using Ford spec oil when you can get it into first the engine runs normal and if you use reverse which is also a knob to get into gear when cold.

tip for getting into 1st. Go into 4th, then 3rd, then 2nd, then 1st.

There is an excellent Ford Forum at TalkFord.com which you might find useful. There are many posts regarding problems with gear engagement on Ford gearboxes, esp during cold weather. I wonder if it's a limitation of the Ford design synchromesh? I believe they now use Getrag gearboxes on most models.