# Oh no another transmission question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 12, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oh-no-another-transmission-question/8261 "2007-12-12T14:45:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oh-no-another-transmission-question/8261/1 "2007-12-12T14:45:41Z")
Why do transmissions shift harder with a cold running engine? My standard transmission, when driving away with a cold engine and shifting into 2nd I get a “clunk” sound rather than a nice smooth disconnect like I do when it warms up. Why ? Autos seem to shift harder when cold too. ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oh-no-another-transmission-question/8261/2 "2007-12-12T17:33:13Z")
Think about the way your body feels when you first get out of bed. Once the circulation begins you feel better right? Your vehicle components work similar. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oh-no-another-transmission-question/8261/3 "2007-12-12T21:50:05Z")
The fluid in the transmission is thick and stiff when cold. Often you can replace the original fluid with a synthetic (more expensive fluid) that will eliminate most of the problem. It may even allow the transmission to last longer.