I notice that at times it is difficult to place my car into reverse on my manual gear box. I just took delivery of the car three days ago with a little over 200 miles on the clock (it had to be driven from a dealer 2 hours away). Somtimes it seems to "clunk" into reverse, and other times I cannot get the gear to fully engage without first placing the car in another gear and then reverse again. I know that reverse is a notoriously "difficult" gear to get into because of synchrinization, but I would think a brand new tranny would shift a bit easier into reverse. Tonight when trying to reverse I thought it was fully engaged only to begin to release the clutch and hear that wonderful gear grinding sound that those who have driven manuals for many years fear. Does anyone else have this same issue?
I notice that at times it is difficult to place my car into reverse on my manual gear box. I just took delivery of the car three days ago with a little over 200 miles on the clock (it had to be driven from a dealer 2 hours away). Somtimes it seems to "clunk" into reverse, and other times I cannot get the gear to fully engage without first placing the car in another gear and then reverse again. I know that reverse is a notoriously "difficult" gear to get into because of synchrinization, but I would think a brand new tranny would shift a bit easier into reverse. Tonight when trying to reverse I thought it was fully engaged only to begin to release the clutch and hear that wonderful gear grinding sound that those who have driven manuals for many years fear. Does anyone else have this same issue?
I get that occasionally too but it doesn't sem any worse than with other manual transmission cars that I've owned. It may just come with the territory, at least in this price range.
It's new, they are always a little stiff when new. Also, just put it in neutral, release clutch, press it back down, then put in 4th, then put in reverse.
I get that occasionally too but it doesn't sem any worse than with other manual transmission cars that I've owned. It may just come with the territory, at least in this price range.
Ditto.
Sometimes it goes halfway in and will grind if I start out of the clutch. Mine usually clears up by going back to neutral, letting out the clutch, and then going back to R. Another little trick is to just let the car roll a little. It's pretty rare that any place I'm trying to use R is dead level, so ease up on the brake and let it roll a couple of inches. It'll usually slide on into R gear without having to put the clutch in or move the shifter to neutral or some other gear.
Is your corolla a stick? I'm sure I'm just used to the big massive 5 spd my V8 'stang had. Thinking back now to my old 5 banger audi, it did the same thing.
eventer, my 5spd is like yours, for a new car it shouldnt be grinding into reverse most of the time, feels like i am goin to mess up the tranny when i go into reverse
eventer, my 5spd is like yours, for a new car it shouldnt be grinding into reverse most of the time, feels like i am goin to mess up the tranny when i go into reverse
Hmmm, so it sound like a new car/design issue rather than an isolated mechanical problem. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.
Geez, my 77 Corolla did the same thing! They haven't fixed this yet? You guys are funny, but this is absolutely normal behaviour for any manual transmission, no worrys.
Typically, the reverse gear is not synchronized as compared to other gears. This is common for the majority of manual transmissions. Sometimes (or even often) when shifting into reverse the gears just aren't properly aligned to allow this to happen.
I have driven many standards and had this happen. For some reason it can go in spells, often for a while and then it will disappear. I wouldn't worry about it.
And yes, putting it into another gear and then into reverse will allow it to happen easier (as opposed to forcing it really hard).
At times it may not go all the way into the gate, so I just pull the stick back to resting position release the clutch, press in the clutch and it goes right in. No shifting to other gears here.
If you are grinding it could be the adjustment. Take it to the dealer in any case. But it's a pretty simple affair to experiment with the adjustment. It's just an awkward position.
Typically, the reverse gear is not synchronized as compared to other gears. This is common for the majority of manual transmissions. Sometimes (or even often) when shifting into reverse the gears just aren't properly aligned to allow this to happen.
I have driven many standards and had this happen. For some reason it can go in spells, often for a while and then it will disappear. I wouldn't worry about it.
And yes, putting it into another gear and then into reverse will allow it to happen easier (as opposed to forcing it really hard).
This would be the correct answer. The obvious reason is to prevent you from going into reverse while travelling at a high rate of speed. Thus you need to shift into like 1st gear in order to "clear" the transmission so to speak.
This has been like this for all the manuals I've driven which is now at 5 total.
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