Does the reverse lockout on the 6spd (MCS 2004) seem a little stiff/hard on these rascals??? I understand it keeps you from accidentally going for reverse gear instead of first, but I was wondering if it was stiff on all of them?

Mine is stiff to the point my brother was looking for a lockout trigger, or wondering if you had to push the gearshift down and then over. We've had two prior getrags in other makes that had both of those styles.

And, it would probably be difficult for my girlfriend to get it into reverse without using both hands.

I only have 600 miles on mine, and I'm thinking if it is spring loaded, that may loosen a bit, but thought I would get other opinions. If that's normal, it is what it is.

 

The soon-to-be-wife has to use two hands... curses it every time...

 

I was always taught to just kind of "slap it" over to the left. I will say that it's alot easier now to put the car in reverse than it used to be.

 

If the lock out is stiff, try rolling the car forward/aft a tad so that the

gear collar lines up. You don't want to force it into the gate.

 

When new, getting my MCS in reverse was tough, but it loosened up considerably after about 5k. The "slap" to the left technique seems to work the best.

 

In response to kenchan's reply, I wouldn't recommend focing anything. If it's that difficult to engage, I would have the dealership look at it.

 

Mine was quite difficult at first, but after a few thousand (s)miles it loosened up.


Dave
2003 DS/B MCS

 

Thanks folks for the responses. I just wanted to make sure it was normal to be a bit tough, and not a simple click over to reverse.

It doesn't feel like I'm forcing it into a gear. Just a tough lockout mechanism. Once it pops to the left, getting it into gear is smooth. It will probably loosen up over time.

Thanks again.

 

Should be easy. Maybe the miles will smooth it out.

Go to your dealer and try another one if they say nothing is wrong.

Regards,
Red

 

holding the **** with your palm on the right side, grip it and move the lever all the way over into the 5-6 gate, then using momentum, slam the shifter all the way to the left and it should work. My 10 year old sister can get it into reverse using just one hand, so consider doing a few pushups and picking up a dumbell a few times a week if you're really having problems:smile:

 

You all are right. Tried the little "slap" technique, and it works like a charm. You can't baby these rides I guess. As I add miles, I realize it likes to be driven.

 

A friend of mine showed me to start from the far right and slap it left and it slides right over.

 

Funny - I've got the opposite problem. It's a little stiff getting my MCS into reverse when it's at a standstill, but the slap-left technique works fine. Problem is, when I'm trying, say, a 3->2 downshift, it seems to pop into the reverse leg way too easily - sometimes. Since you have to pull to the left slightly to make sure you're in 1-2 territory (vs. 3-4), there needs to be a big difference in the spring tension to avoid slipping into the reverse portion of the pattern. This difference seems to vary a lot depending on how the engine is bouncing around in the mounts, accel/decelleration, cornering, etc. This problem has been the cause of a few really embarrasing, if not dangerous, moments. Fortunately, I haven't gone so far as to actually clash gears yet, but too close for me.

Has anybody else experienced this? I'd almost prefer the push-down & over reverse lockout ala' VW. (Yes, they're notoriously rubbery...)

BTW, I'm no manual-shift newbie - 'been driving the likes of MGB's, 1-VW, 4 assorted Hondas, Hyundai POS, Nissan 240, etc. for about 35+ years.

Anybody heard of a totally bulletproof reverse lockout option? I just know this'll happen at an autocross sometime & I'll crunch bigtime.

Won't stop me now, though -
Onward & upward to MINIs On Top this weekend!