Getting into Reverse

[Cygnus]

Hi All,

While trying to get out of my parking spot tonight (which wasn't a parallel park, but in a car park), I suddenly found that I cannot slip the gear stick into reverse! I can push the gear stick down no problem, but it will just not go left. I ended up having to push the car out of the parking spot. After driving it a few metres forward, I tried again to engage the reverse gear, and this time no problems. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it possible for the gears to be stuck? Also, I leave my car in gear when I park, what does everyone else do? I'm taking this as a one-off, if it happens again, should I take it back to the dealer?

Cheers,

[pomme]

I wonder if that has anything to do with not being able to get into 1st sometimes, normally traffic lights. I find you have to go 2nd then 1st, or clutch a couple of times before it will go in.

Myself, never had a problem getting into reverse.

[kelvniii]

I do have both problems sometimes, just like pomme said go 2nd then 1st, or clutch a couple of times before it will go in.

just go into 1st and then go to reverse~

[mitch_gti]

Happens with every car, sometimes reverse can be hard.

Just pump the clutch a couple times and try again.

[blutopless2]

haven't had this problem with ours at all.

[Ben_GTI]

I don't think reverse is synchro'd because if you are still moving forward, braking to stop and put it into reverse it grinds really good!!

So maybe the teeth just weren't lined up and no synchro = no gear. I'm not all that clued up on gearbox workings so i could be wrong here... just my idea.

[RhysQ]

it happens in a lot of cars. all you have to do is put a bit of pressure on it to go into reverse and at the same time just let the clutch out slowly....you will find it will just slip straight in. all that has happened, as Ben said, the reverse gear is not lined up properly.....happens if the car moves even slightly while in neutral. i wouldn't be worried about it, its happened with my last 3 cars (being holden, peugeot, and now the polo). its not a fault, i've already enquired about it.

can make some nasty grinding sounds sometimes if it is forced.....accommpanied by strange looks from people trying to look for an L plate somewhere on the car!

[Tim]

yeah has happened in every manual i have ever driven. Usually if you have a habbit of parking the car in gear. Just pump the clutch a few times as has been said. Will slip in fine

[VW GTI]

You can also let the clutch out slowly while pushing the gearstick in the direction you need it to go. There will be a point where it will just slide in with no problem or noises or anything.

[dodgeGTI]

You can also let the clutch out slowly while pushing the gearstick in the direction you need it to go. There will be a point where it will just slide in with no problem or noises or anything.

yep, that's exactly what I've found too.