Is it just me… but any tips to NOT go into reverse when changing gear up to 6? I am worried that I will have no gearbox left at this rate!!! It could of course just be my driving…[;)]
Just be gentle, you’re never going to be in a rush to get sixth gear, so be smooth.
If you go from fifth to six until you get used to the box, then that will help cut it out.
I managed to stop after the second or third time, and about 2 weeks - it’s just a case of getting used to it.
its not an easy one is it… took me ages to get the hang of it and to be able to do it comfortably, it need to just be a smooth and gentle pull back, with a little bit of right hand pressure to stop it going in to 4th…
it supposed to be impossible to go from 5th to reverse but I don’t believe it.!!!
As has been said,
Be very smooth and gentle. It is very easy to get reverse if your driving like the MX5 should be driven.
Best thing is dont put to much pressure when trying to get 6th and kind of select the gear in a natural way if it makes sense.
Takes a bit of getting used to but once you do it should come naturaly to you.
good luck
Well, you’re never going to go in to sixth quickly, because it is very much a cruising gear (you’re not darting about on a B-road looking to get sixth quickly …), and you cannot go from fifth to sixth (well, Martin can [:)]).
The only time I found it to be an issue was when accelerating down a slip road or whatever, going from fourth to sixth, but as I said, I’ve not had bother since September (- cue plenty of crunching in the next couple of weeks now).
Thanks for all your tips! We are however talking about going from 5th to 6th, (not tried it from 4th yet) I am sure I will get the hang of it in the end! Its just rather embarrasing when overtaking and then - wallop into reverse crunch…crunch…
I love Martin’s comment
its not an easy one is it… took me ages to get the hang of it and to be able to do it comfortably
I do hope he is talking about gear changes!
wait until after you,ve overtaken before changing up then, unless you need to push past 120mph
I too have experienced this gearchange problem, and the first time was quite scary! Realising you’ve just selected reverse at about 70 mph on a busy dual carriageway is almost guaranteed to become a “brown-trouser” moment…
Fortunately I did not engage the clutch and eventually found 4th gear and was able to get out of the fast approaching traffic bearing down on me from behind, albeit having to endure some light-flashing and horn blaring from reps in their euroboxes…
Now I’ve a few hundred miles under my belt I think I’ve realised its a matter of technique. from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th and then 5th are staightforward - The linkage will not allow a change from 4th up to 6th easily so there is no real point in doing that, but you can change down from 6th to 4th. Knock it out of 6th and the lever should be lined up with 4th.
I find 4th is ideal for roundabouts if you are in traffic(obviously, when theres no-one else around one may wish to be using higher revs). Going from 5th to 6th requires minimal hand pressure and the lever kind “doglegs” from neutral to 6th.
It does feel quite different from engaging reverse…
It’s physicly impossible to engage reverse whilst moving forward, the cogs are moving in oppersite directions so worse that will happen is some scarey noises, you don’t want to be making a habit of it though.
I think I have got the hang of it now, when changing into 6th you simply need a weak wrist, which in my case is not a problem!
I’ve got a couple of Hondas in reverse at 30mph (luckily without lifting the clutch) and I’ve been in a nasty near-crash as a passenger when the driver got reverse at about 50mph (I hate being a passenger). So it is possible, but I’ve not seen it done in a 5.
The only time i find myself going into reverse from 5th is when I’m back driving a 5-speed car, I constantly have to remind myself that it doesn’t have a 6th gear. I’ve had a few episodes of crunchy noises coming from the gearbox. [:S]