I have read numerous posts about people accidentally shifting into reverse. I find this quite curious and wonder if those driver's shift mechanisms need adjustment. On my MINI, I have to make a pretty determined movement to the left, beyond a very noticeable detent, in order to go into reverse. The only time I have ever found it "easy" to go into reverse is when I have just moved in reverse, i.e. backed out of a space and then move to first. Even then, it takes a considerable move to the left to get into reverse. Maybe this affects people who have been driving manuals where reverse is down to the right, so they are just used to slapping fully to the left and up to go into first?

 

That's true in regard to my issues with Reverse in the MINI. However, after one very embarassing experience where I found reverse instead of 1st, I'm just more alert and focused now (which can't be a bad thing).

 

I tend to find reverse in my MR2 when I am looking for the non-existant 6th gear after I have been driving my MCS for a month or two....

 

That could be disasterous

I have to use both hands to get ours into reverse, I find the spring to be very hard to over ride, of course I suffer greatly with tendonitis especially in my right forearm, so maybe that is a good thing.

 

I tend to back into a space, cut the car off, and when I get back in it to leave, forget it's in reverse. When I go to pull away, Whoa! Not going forwards, but backwards. It's almost screwed me a couple of times, especially if I gun it to leave..... :-)

 

My manual 07 mc takes a considerable force to go to reverse. I two finger going to first from neutral which can't provide enough force for going to reverse. I think those who go into reverse are five finger white knuckling the stick. Take a deep breath, relax, and calmly to to first...

 

You best "tend" to relearn your driving/parking habits or you're going to have a substantial damage situation! Learn to put the car in NEUTRAL when you park it, and put the emergency brake on immediately . The only time I'd leave the car in first gear when parking is IF I'm on a severe hill. You're truly looking for big trouble with that bad habit of yours. Good luck to you and your nice Mini.
The day I picked mine up, I got it into reverse rather than first twice on the way home. Once was in a toll booth situation at a bridge. Thankfully the car behind me was back a ways. I immediately realized that you do NOT push the lever to the left when going to first, but just straight forward with barely a bit of pressure to hold it, not pushing it left. This is about us as driver's, not a problem with the car's transmission setup. WE, as Mini drivers, have to pay solid attention to how we work our six speeds and the affiliated clutch. This applies to "gear grinding" too. It's just driver inattention. Drive like your life and the life of your Mini depend on it, cuz it's a fact!

 

parking with your car in gear is not a bad habit. its a good habit, as long as you set the e-brake first so its holding the car. leaving it in gear is last defense against a failed e-brake

 

haha doesn't really happen, haha well because in order to go into reverse you have to push preety hard to get into reverse

 

I think I've figured it out. when sitting in neutral the stick wants to rest hard right, to move it over to first takes some effort the spring wants to keep it right.Mine is hard to get into reverse but its also not that easy to go to first from neutral so when rushed (light change ) a little to much effort gets you to reverse.I've only done it a few times ,it's happened pretty easy.

 

It's happened to me when rushed as well. I do it because my last car took some effort to move it to first gear and the MINI going into first is much smoother. That takes some getting used to, but until muscle memory takes over, I have to think first then shift.

 

I confess I did it tonight. I looked down for a moment, the light turned green, and I grabbed first in a hurry. Only I got reverse. How embarrassing!

 

Yeah... I must admit... I've done this too. Thankfully without any negative consequence. I really have no idea why or how. It does take a good deal of effort to get it over there. I am now much more aware when taking off from a stop.

 

Mine doesn't work that way. Going into first is quite easy and you can easily tell when you are up against the reverse gate. Maybe this is another thing they "fixed" in later production.

 

I am actually extremely paranoid that this is going to happen to me. I used to drive a 5 speed and reverse was nowhere near 1st gear. It seems like it could be easy to do this accidentally. And I have a tandem parking spot with my roommate (who at this point has no idea how to drive stick), and I'm worried that she might mix up the gears (complete paranoia, I know... she's going to be very careful). But is there any kind of indicator light I can get that will light up when I'm in reverse? Just for my peace of mind? I'm realizing that PDC probably would have been a good investment for me. But it's a bit late for that.

 

Since there is already wiring for the reverse lights to go on when you shift into reverse, and there are reverse "beepers" on the market, it should be easy to install or get a light installed. Radio Shack sells LEDS in small bezels.

 

Going into reverse feels very different than first on my Mini, so I haven't made that mistake.

On the other hand, I have to pay attention when driving my wife's car so that I don't shift into 6th on the highway, which would be reverse on her car.

 

True, especially since you have to press past the detent in both cases.

 

I've done that once myself....on a run with a pack of MINI's behind me no less

 

Looks like not a lot has changed for my '21 JCW--there is a fair amount of resistance when shifting into reverse, unless I am slightly delayed at noticing a stoplight that freshly turned green. At that point, shifting into reverse feels no different than first! I wish there was a lever like the one in my Focus ST.