I've noticed on my MCS that it's very easy to shift into reverse. So easy that I sometimes end up going into reverse when I'm aiming for 1st. Fortunately, this isn't going to damage my transmission since I'm obviously not moving when shifting into first...but it's still a bit disconcerting to let off the clutch and find that I've started to go backwards rather than fwd.

On all of my other cars with R near 1st, it has taken real effort to jog the shifter into R...and this has meant that I'd never find R "by accident." Does anyone else feel that R is a bit too easy to find in the MCS, or should I get my shift linkage/gate looked at by service?

 

jsun: On all the MCS's I've driven, they're all an "arm-wrestle" to get into reverse, and there's no way even Rambo could accidentally "oopsie" into Reverse when going for 1st. On that note, I'd guess you have something a-miss with your tranny. Has your dealership had a look-see yet?

Good luck,
Ryan

 

 

>> yikes

 

Normally, it is a fight to find reverse, so much so that my wife looks at me like "Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?". But I have had a time or two where I've backed out of the garage and went for first only to go in reverse again. It hasn't happened lately, but I'm watchful especially if I have no space behind.

 

Jsun,

sounds like your linkage is out of wack. There should be a "reverse lock-out" that requires a bit of pressure to overcome in order to put the tranny into R. Either yours ain't workin' or you've been spending too many evenings at the gym.

 

>>Normally, it is a fight to find reverse, so much so that my wife looks at me like "Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?". But I have had a time or two where I've backed out of the garage and went for first only to go in reverse again. It hasn't happened layely, but I'm watchful especially if I have to space behind.

Minious, 1st, welcome to MCO.
2nd, it's possible that you aren't letting the gearstick go far enough to the right after getting out of R before you try to go to 1st. What I mean is that you might still be on the reverse side of your shift gate thingy. A habit I picked up driving classic Minis was when going from reverse to 1st, I'd move the stick all the way across neutral and back before going for 1st. Of course, in those cars, you had to physically LIFT the gearstick to unlock reverse!

 

>>I've noticed on my MCS that it's very easy to shift into reverse. So easy that I sometimes end up going into reverse when I'm aiming for 1st. Fortunately, this isn't going to damage my transmission since I'm obviously not moving when shifting into first...but it's still a bit disconcerting to let off the clutch and find that I've started to go backwards rather than fwd.
>>
>>On all of my other cars with R near 1st, it has taken real effort to jog the shifter into R...and this has meant that I'd never find R "by accident." Does anyone else feel that R is a bit too easy to find in the MCS, or should I get my shift linkage/gate looked at by service?

Don't listen to them. I have had the same experience. It has gotten easier to shift into reverse the longer I drive the car. I have also put the car into reverse when going for first. The reverse lock-out spring is all that is stopping you. If it were stiffer we would be complaining it is to had to get into reverse. It could be worse you could put it into reverse while downshifting at speed.

Given the other options for reverse lock-out (opposite second, fifth or sixth) or a positive lock-out release mechanism like my 65 mustang, I think we have to live with what we have and just be careful.

Motor On!

 

^^ Dude, I've got to either two hand the stick or smack it into reverse--and I like it like that. No mistakenly slipping into reverse for me. Gary, you and Jsun are definitely in the minority here... perhaps yours needs a look, too?

 

My reverse is very stiff -- so much so, that I had the dealer look at it to make sure it is normal. I can't shift into reverse at all, unless I tap or slap the shifter with a quick motion. I think if I stood outside of the car and slowly pulled the shifter into reverse, the passenger side would lift off the ground before it went into reverse.

See ya,
JS

 

My tranny has a definite detent going into reverse, there is no way I could mistake 1st gear for reverse. I agree with Ryan, get it checked out.

 

Funny, I was going to post this same topic! I was driving along the other day slowing for a turn and went from 4th to 1st. I was whipping through the turn at maybe 10-15Mph and just as I was about to kick the gas and dump the clutch I realized that the shift didn't feel quite right. Sure enough, I had slipped it right into reverse, at speed.

B.T.W. My lockout spring is VERY firm. My wife can't get into reverse without 2 hands and I can't even count the number of times the car has been abandoned in parking lots by valets and friends unable to overcome the spring. I agree with jstines in that it feels as though I could tip the car over by pulling slowly on the lever.

There are typically no synchronizers on reverse which is why one must occasionally engage another gear before reverse will mesh so I'm shocked that it went in so effortlessly at such high speed. Quiet too, unlike the poor Honda that recently got thrown in reverse on the highway (I was apparently wishing I were in the MINI). I guess this is what happens when you drive 5-speeds all your life and then some bloke throws a wacky sixer at you.

 

>>^^ Dude, I've got to either two hand the stick or smack it into reverse--and I like it like that. No mistakenly slipping into reverse for me. Gary, you and Jsun are definitely in the minority here... perhaps yours needs a look, too?


i am fully with omtoast on this one

 

Get the linkage checked. You have to really put some effort into getting an MCS into reverse.

Good luck.

Regards,
Red

 

Hmmm...

So it isn't just me then... yes, I too find reverse mistakenly from a stop (not downshifting thank goodness). I think it has gotten easier to reach reverse over time. If I have any doubt I now double check my placement before hitting the gas.

Hey, at least that unexpected reversing light might keep folks off our Mini's rear ends!

Cheers

 

Good. I'm not the only one.

I've also noticed that while I generally still have to wrestle the car into reverse, it has been getting easier over time. Every now and then, usually at a traffic light, I'll accidentally pop it into reverse. It's not a chronic problem... Perhaps a little overzealous shifting on my part...

 

Our MCS put's up a fight for reverse. My wife,who drives stick quite well, always has a problem with reverse. It is tough for me as well.I have never put it into reverse when looking for first.I can tell you that it has gotten a little softer.The wife now can get it there with two hands.Jaydawg.

 

My reverse was always a fight, until last week!!!!

In an evasive manuver, I had to search for first and hit reverse at 10 mph or so!
Yes, it was loud. Not fun. Since then I have found the shifting into reverse is FAR too easy. In fact, shifting all together feels loose/sloppy. I have to get it checked.

...an old lady forced me into two lanes of oncoming traffic as I was going over the Sagamore bridge! If anyone here knows the Sagamore bridge to Cape Cod, you will understand the hair-raising situation I was in. We need mandatory safety/skill testing for drivers as we age! If I loose the ability to drive safely as I age, I want my license revoked! I don't want to kill people.

 

I don't have an MCS myself, but I think you should have done reverse like the VW 5-speeds. In my VW's you had to push down on the stick, and then to the left and up to get into reverse. I never once went into reverse accidentally, and I didn't have to fight to overcome a lockout spring.

 

Jsun- My mini too goes into reverse easily. Sometimes when the light turns green (or the green light switches on) ((when it was red)) (((or the red one was on before hand)))

It goes right into reverse. A quick slap streight up. But I just thought I needed to be more careful. That's the nature of a cable shifter (so I thought).

And the rest of yoos say it's tough to do?