Q: Difficult to get the vehicle in gear after it has been turned off for sometime. 2013 Ford Focus

asked by on November 25, 2016

On cold starts I have a hard time getting it into any gear. Once it's warned up for about 20minutes I can put it in gear but it is still difficult.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

White smoke/Oil leak for Infinity 2002 I35
You may have a major oil leak since you have to add so much oil. You may also have a clogged engine crank case ventilation system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/positive-crankcase-ventilation-pcv-valve-replacement) and would cause the engine to push oil out of all the seals....
I found a small puddle of coolant underneath my car. Today I opened the hood, and I see a puddle of coolant.
Hello, thanks for writing in. If you are finding puddles of coolant underneath your vehicle then there is likely a coolant leak somewhere on the engine. A few places that leaks can occur (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-find-the-source-of-an-oil-leak-by-ed-ruelas) at are at the hoses, the...
I just want to know if my car is repairable.
Hello, thanks for writing in. This depends on a wide variety of factors that would need to be evaluated individually along with the Jeep being physically inspected and diagnosed by a professional. If you'd like to have this done, I...
Wrench symbol shows on dash after cranking the engine. Now the wrench symbol stays on.
Hi there. When the wrench light comes on, this is the symbol used by the computer to alert the driver that there is a problem with the engine or transmission and puts the vehicle into limp mode. You would need...
Transmission staying in 3rd gear only and not shifting.
Hi there. The transmission could have an issue with the shift solenoids. Check the wiring harness to the transmission case and make sure that it is plugged in. 3rd gear is the only forward gear in a 4L60E transmission that...
powertrain warning light came on the car went into limp mode
Hello. The power train warning light comes on when the computer detects that there is an issue with the vehicle that could potentially damage the vehicle. This is why the vehicle is put into reduced power mode, to reduce stress...
how many miles before i change the oil on my chevy trax using semi synthetic oil
Hi there. Most of today's modern cars have service light systems that will illuminate when routine service is due. However, this is not a good way to determine when you should have oil changed; as some vehicles only illuminate oil...
How many oxygen sensors do I have on my 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT?
Hi there - your Escalade has 4 oxygen sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-oxygen-sensor) total, 1 before each of the two catalytic converters, and 1 after each catalytic converter. Diagnostic codes are usually pretty specific as to which one is malfunctioning (i.e. Bank 1,...
What else do i need to check or what could cause my SUV to do this. TPS replaced 2 yr ago p0171 p0174 were detected 4 months ago
Inasmuch as lean codes were set earlier (P0171, P0174) you may have clogged injectors. Fuel trim should be looked at with a real time scanner. If fuel trim is high positive, that would be an indirect indication of clogged injectors....

Related articles

3 Essential Things to Know About Your Car’s Gear Shifter
The The gear shifter allows the vehicle to be put into different gears on a manual transmission. In an automatic transmission, the gear shifter is known as a gear selector. The gear shifter is normally located between the two front...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Towing a Boat
If If you’re towing a boat, the vehicle that you buy is largely going to depend on the size and weight of your boat plus trailer. Most cars, realistically, aren’t cut out for the job. We recommend a pickup truck...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Kansas in 2012
Kansas Kansas sees a varied climate with all four seasons, which means drivers in the area choose a variety of vehicles. In years past, some of the front-runners have included the Ford F-150, Buick and Toyota Camry. 2012’s top five...