Tricking your car into reverse gear - LotusTalk

Hello Kitty · 01-15-2008, 05:04 PM

A trick I learned a while ago, works on the lotus too. Sometimes you can't get into reverse, or first gear at a stoplight. The stick goes halfway in gear, and if you let out the clutch, the gears grind. Ever happen to you?

The trick is to go into second gear, which is always easy. This aligns the syncros, and then you can effortlessly go into first, or reverse.

enjoy

zygotesoup · 01-15-2008, 05:09 PM

good tip... took me a a lot of slamming it into gear when i first started driving to learn this valuable trick

MikeSage · 01-15-2008, 05:58 PM

I've had this problem before in my MINI. I would always move into neutral, let out on the clutch and try it again.
Thanks much for the advice!

Z-dculus · 01-15-2008, 06:10 PM

or just let the car roll a half inch

Wasabi · 01-15-2008, 06:16 PM

Aye I do the same, put it neutral, let the clutch out, put it back in and try shifting again

BrendanDolan · 01-15-2008, 07:18 PM

I do the clutch out and in and then try again. Reason being clutching out in neutral spins the gearbox, and then selecting first uses the synchro to engage the gears. If you've been sitting with the clutch in, sometimes the gears don't line up just right.

Don't do this for reverse though. Reverse doesn't have a synchro, and you will get a nice little crunch out of the gearbox if you slide the shifter to reverse while the internals are still spinning.

mikecronis · 01-15-2008, 07:29 PM

To get into Reverse, try going into first gear beforehand.
To get into first gear, try going into second gear beforehand.

Check your linkage.

01-15-2008, 05:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hello Kitty Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 335	Tricking your car into reverse gear A trick I learned a while ago, works on the lotus too. Sometimes you can't get into reverse, or first gear at a stoplight. The stick goes halfway in gear, and if you let out the clutch, the gears grind. Ever happen to you? The trick is to go into second gear, which is always easy. This aligns the syncros, and then you can effortlessly go into first, or reverse. enjoy

01-15-2008, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
zygotesoup Resident Drunk Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 598	good tip... took me a a lot of slamming it into gear when i first started driving to learn this valuable trick __________________ 1993 Black BMW 325i 2000 Solar Yellow MR-S - SOLD 1987 White on White Porsche 944 Turbo - SOLD 1993 Maroon Lexus SC400 - SOLD Next Car - Elise, Exige, Exige S... CO, KG, AW???? Too many choices!!!

01-15-2008, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
MikeSage It's how you use it Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: WI Posts: 157	I've had this problem before in my MINI. I would always move into neutral, let out on the clutch and try it again. Thanks much for the advice! __________________ '04 Indi Blue MINI Cooper S JCW

01-15-2008, 06:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,133	or just let the car roll a half inch __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, Multivex, Lotus Stage II/powercoated diffuser, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces 2004 Nissan 350z - Super Black-too many mods to list-SOLD to my brother 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(daily driver) *Seasoned veteran member of the KG Mafia

01-15-2008, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
BrendanDolan Lotus Junkie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 435	I do the clutch out and in and then try again. Reason being clutching out in neutral spins the gearbox, and then selecting first uses the synchro to engage the gears. If you've been sitting with the clutch in, sometimes the gears don't line up just right. Don't do this for reverse though. Reverse doesn't have a synchro, and you will get a nice little crunch out of the gearbox if you slide the shifter to reverse while the internals are still spinning. __________________ Brendan Dolan Former Internet Sales Manager Boardwalk Lotus Out of sales, and working my passion in aviation

01-15-2008, 06:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wasabi Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 401	Aye I do the same, put it neutral, let the clutch out, put it back in and try shifting again

01-15-2008, 07:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
mikecronis Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Thornton, CO Posts: 301 Images: 1	To get into Reverse, try going into first gear beforehand. To get into first gear, try going into second gear beforehand. Check your linkage.

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