leafsboy

Hey:

I've made an observation that I want to share with all of you. I want to know if anybody has experienced this as well, and if so, is it a problem and what can be done about it?

I own a 1999 Protege SE, 5 speed. Most of the time, when shifting into reverse, I can't get into gear. I am forced to shift into another gear prior to shifting into reverse so that the transmission allows me to enter reverse. I usually shift into 3rd gear because it works best. Sometimes I shift into 5th first, but this does not always work; third gear always works. Any of you out there ever experience this?

Here's the thing; I also experienced this with my 1992 Honda Civic Si. When it started happening on my Protege I questioned my driving technique. But I have had others who have driven my car comment about this phenomenon. This has happened since the first day I picked up my car from the dealer. I am clueless . Any Takers?

In advance,

--Gio

Leafs to the Cup!!

00117064

Do a search.

You cant do nothing about that. Usual problem whith manual trany. I got 3 previous car with manual tranny and all of them where doing this.

Press the clutch, depress the clutch than go on reverse or go in first and go on reverse after.

I think its because their is a safety lock to avoid going on reverse while driving... Imagine putting your car on reverse from 4th to reverse by mistake... This safety lock is probably not electronic but a mecanical device that can bug sometime.

00117064

By the way Leaf are dead RIP

gcs118

I think it's harder to get into because there is no synchro in reverse and it's a straight-cut gear. It is normal to be a little more difficult to get into.

PS 00117064 ... the search function isn't what it used to be

leafsboy

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to email Mazda Canada about this. Reason I want to know is because I feel like I am forcing my car into reverse, and the reply/sound my car gives me is not nice. It sounds like one BIG click and when I hear this the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, as if I am damaging my car.

Anyways, thanks for the information. By the way, THe leafs may be golfing now, but the Habs are golf pros by now.

Go Leafs Go!!!

gcs118

There is no need to contact Mazda Canada. I believe even in your Owner's Manual it discusses the problem and offers a few suggestions. There is nothing that they could possibly do for you. And that louder 'click' you hear when going into reverse is normal too, it should be louder than the other gears.

E-Diddy

yea dude...there's nothing to worry about. The reason why it's difficult to shift into reverse is b/c it was designed that way as a security feature. Your best bet is to shift into neutral, wait till car stops completely, and then shift into reverse.

pr5owner

if your car is running (which it should be) just clutch in and clutch out.. too easy.. no need to shift into another gear..

Sir Nuke

GCS118 is correct.....at least for the manuals produced for the american market.....it discusses this very thing in the owners manual....

its normal.

SoCalSilverMP5

its normal sometimes you may not be able to shift into a normal gear...usually a rev of the engine takes care of it too...i think its just that the teeth of the gear your trying to shift into is not alligned with the gear that it turns (or so ive heard and that would make sense and also explains why a rev would allow it to fall in place correctly)

kenchan

that's normal. you should shift into 1st gear and then double clutch into R while you are stopped ofcourse.

if you have room to roll forward or backwards, then enter
the R gate while you roll.

should work.

Z me Pro

Yea, this is normal
i just installed a kartboy shortshifter and bushings and the problems is even 'worse' because before i could force it into gear, now there is NO way its gettin into R, all you have to do is pop it in first (or any gear) and then back into R, someone told me something about lineing up the syncros but i could be wrong, regardless, it works.

MikeyG_U2

This is definitely not unusual. My 99 Miata did, my sisters 02 RSX-S does it, and that's the nicest stick I've ever driven. Don't worry about it. If it really bothers you, you can always take it back and get an automatic...