# Frozen stick shift

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/frozen-stick-shift/77140>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 3, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/frozen-stick-shift/77140 "2013-02-03T21:23:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Guich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Guich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Guich)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/frozen-stick-shift/77140/1 "2013-02-03T21:23:17Z")

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My 2002 mini 6 speed stick licks to get stuck in the I park it in when its cold. After driving in that gear for 4 minutes it warms up and let’s loose. Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![mleich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mleich](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mleich)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/frozen-stick-shift/77140/2 "2013-02-03T21:27:55Z")

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Do you use the hand brake? Or does the car’s weight rest on the transmission when you park it? What is the level and condition of the transmission oil? Has it ever been changed?

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/frozen-stick-shift/77140/3 "2013-02-03T21:33:48Z")

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Most FWD stick shifts are controlled (shifted) by a cable mechanism similar to the control cables used to adjust older rear-view side mirrors…This shift cable may have gotten water in it and is freezing, jamming it…Some cars use a system of levers, rods, bellcranks to operate the shifter. The most unlikely cause would be an internal transmission problem that is jamming the shift mechanism…Does it jam up every morning or just some mornings?