What would happen if I were to accidentally shift into reverse while I am speeding down the freeway?

Answer 1

A common MYTH is that you will destroy your transmission if you do that, but thats not true.

Short answer: if you are speeding down the freeway, you would not be able to throw it into reverse because the reverse gear would never engage, but will just make a lot of grinding noises!

Longer Answer: Reverse is handled by a special gear that is always meshed in reverse. There is a special mechanism called a "collar" that engages the different gears and turns the drive shaft. Reverse has a special gear that turns it in the opposite direction of all the other gears. Because of that, the collar would never be able to engage the reverse gear because it is spinning in the opposite direction so fast.

Answer 2

Most cars now are equipped with a reverse lock out. Meaning you can't shift into reverse when the car is moving. And if were to do so at freeway speeds, most likely, you would cause a wreck

Answer 3

Most cars now are equipped with a reverse lock out. Meaning you can't shift into reverse when the car is moving. But on older cars it is possible and a multitude of things could happen...you could ruin the gears in the tranny. You could break the rear end from the sudden change in direction. You could break a drive line, also from the change in direction. It basically not something you want to do, because even if it doesn't break anything (which is unlikely) it is extremely hard on it.

Answer 4

Most newer cars today will have safety mechanisms that will not allow you to make that shift change. You have to make a complete stop in order to be able to make the transition from forward to reverse. That is not usually the case with older or stick shift cars. I say unless you don't care about paying a few thousand for a new transmission, don' try it.

Answer 5

those are some dumb solutions. here is what could take place, in line with if the motor vehicle is motor vehicle or stick. stick: you ought to no longer shift into opposite. try it - the shifter won't circulate into opposite, in case you push complicated sufficient you may make some loud grinding noises, harm the canines the teeth or synchronizer, destroy the kit selector, yet you will no longer get it into the kit. computerized: no longer something could take place, you will hear a noisy clicking noise however the motor vehicle does no longer come to a halt or initiate moving into opposite, it is going to easily sluggish you down. i've got been in a motor vehicle while the motive force did it accidently, and that's what handed off. merely brake and shift decrease back into kit and its advantageous. i'm specific its no longer good for the transmission, even with the undeniable fact that it doesnt blow up. one ingredient which will truthfully, easily no longer take place is the "ENGINE BLOWS UP". if something have been affected it may be the transmission, the engine flywheel keeps spinning interior the comparable course the two way.

Answer 6

Most cars have an interlock system for that very reason of mistaken shifing of gears duing high speeds. On most modern cars if the shifter is thrown into reverse, the car will either put itself into neutral or into an engine braking mode. Only if your going less than like 20 MPH will it actually engage reverse.

Answer 7

depends on the car if its older kiss your transmission goodbye

Answer 8

You'd probably drop your transmission.

Answer 9

CLUNK! Broken car.

Answer 10

trany would drop and ud be carless unless you have another car