I've really been struggling to get into gear and I dread reversing (with an added loud crunch!)or being at junctions and going into 1st if I havent got into 1st before stopping as it just doesnt go in. I am then holding up the traffic! Its not all the time which is what I cant understand,but it happens more often than it actually glides in gear.
Someone(a girl with no car or driving experience) said it could be a clutch problem as she heard a taxi driver say this once.

Q)Can anyone enlighten me as to what it could be?

Sharon xx

my seicento started doing that once and i adjusted the cluctch cable a lottle bit and it is fine now hope this helps
jay

you could try adjusting the clutch out a bit to give a bit more clearance. Dont automatically assume its the clutch, as the cable may jst need adjusted. quite an easy thing to do in the centos!

Thanks for replies,I can(or rather some friend of a friend who like tinkering with cars can) try the clutch.
(ross_sei..thanks for handbrake reply too!)

Sharon xx

For reverse, make sure the car is fully stopped, hold the clutch down for two seconds, and then gently put it into gear. I have problems with reverse, but waiting a couple of seconds makes it work a lot more often. This applies to most cars, it actually recommended this in the manual of a Ford KA that I used to drive.

In first gear it can be very hard to get into 1st when the car is moving at any speed. You can try 'blipping' the throttle when it is going into gear. The faster you are moving the more you'll need to blip it. Oh, when I say 'blip', I basically mean rev the engine. For 12mph I think you need about 3000rpm, and 2000rpm for 8mph (unless it's a non-sporting 1.1) if I have remembered correctly. It should be easier, and will be nicer to the gearbox, and clutch.

The gearboxes aren't particular good at the best of times , but my one has done over 50,000 miles now without a problem

clutch on my non turbo cinq is wearing.
after a long run gears are very hard to engage,especially reverse
worse in the hot weather
after a long motorway run you can smell the burning from the clutch
i also get a judder when i pull away in 1st

if you get these symptoms yours is probably the same