I’ve got a Mk 3.5 Sport Tech which I bought second hand last month. A couple of weeks ago I started up the car and went to move off only to find I had engaged reverse and not first gear. Twice more I tried to find the gear but each time I went into reverse, before quickly putting it into second and pulling off.
I have only been driving a few months and my previous car had reverse located where 6th gear is in my 5. I’m not sure whether this is just an experience issue, or whether I was unknowingly pushing down on the gearstick in my frustration as I tried to find first gear, or if there might be something wrong with the gearbox? My missus drives the car on a daily basis and reported the same problem (only on one attempt whilst parking) a couple of days after this happened to me. Neither of us have experienced it since.
I’ve not had any issue with it since, but am concerned about the potential (and hugely embarassing) disaster in store if this happens again when I am pulling away from traffic lights with cars behind, or even just out from a parking space. I have noticed the gearbox being very slightly crunchy at times but had put down to me not being used to it and not engaging properly. I’ve also noticed that sometimes the gearstick wobbles/vibrates slightly when in gear. Is this normal or is this just something to be expected on an older car or does it suggest a problem?
My first one year service is due in July and the car currently has 8.5k on the clock. Be interested to hear if anybody else experienced such an issue?
I can’t comment on your reverse gear issue because I haven’t driven a mk3. I would check that the reverse detent feature is working.
If there are no mechanical problems I would practice getting it in to first from neutral over and over again while parked to build some “muscle memory” of the action - this should help.
If you are still having trouble maybe wire in an interior lightbulb to the reverse light circuit to warn you when you are in reverse gear - it should save on embarrasing and expensive mistakes.
My flat mates A3’s parking sensor speaker beeps once when reverse is engaged - sure you could easily setup a similar thing.
In MK2.5 Sports, 6th is where reverse ‘normally’ is, and reverse is to the right of that - I know a lot of people have problems getting 6th, and not getting reverse - so you’re not entirely alone.
Take it you don’t normally keep your cars long then?
My MK3 is the 5 speed,
so cannot help you directly.
From what you say I
presume that the reverse is left and up. From my experience when
reverse is in that position there is normally some mechanical device
to stop you selecting reverse by mistake. Again from what you say it
sounds like to select reverse you are supposed need downward pressure
on the gear stick.
Try and engage reverse
without this downward pressure to ensure that this device is working.
If it is not working you need to get it sorted. If it is working then
perhaps you should look at your gear changing technique. If this is
the case come back and we will talk you through thumb up and thumb
down changes.
Position of reverse completely different on 5 and 6 speed boxes so only those with experience of the latter might have encountered this.
Never had any problems myself as I have always found that reverse requires a definate and deliberate push down to overcome the detent and engage. As a matter of interest how do you hold the gear knob when changing, cupped between thumb and fingers in the IAM manner or with your palm on top, inadvertantly exerting enough downward pressure to allow reverse to be engaged ?
