Hello,

 

         I have recently encountered difficulty when  I have reversed with getting out of reverse.  I  have no difficulty at all reversing and no difficulty engaging reverse.  It doesnt happen every time and has only started recently.   have managed to get out of reverse by persevering, usually no more than 2 attempts are needed.   I dont think it is a clutch issue as all 6 forward gears engage smoothly every time and the actual reversing is also smooth.  I  know someone has posted on this  and I  think there was a thread but  I cant find it. 

 

             i could try switching off to see if that makes it easier but  I dont think thats really a solution.   I  realise reverse on my 17 plate combi 110 isnt syncro of course and maybe it just a question of being patient.  It didnt use to happen as I  say which makes me wonder whether its simply wear and tear on the reverse splines making it difficult? 

 

                 Thanks.

 

             I

 

          

Note: I have very little mechanical or technical knowledge, skills or aptitude only car ownership experience.

 

I find trying the simple and free remedies first can often work (but not always).

 

It's usually getting into reverse (and first) that's a matter of impatience, for reverse at least not letting the vehicle come to a complete stop, then waiting a second or two for the revs to drop completely before moving gear stick.  Perhaps not having the pedal down far enough.

 

For stuck in reverse gear try having the car at a full stop, handbrake on, clutch pedal full down and counting in your head to say 4 or 5 seconds before try to move the lever out of reverse - you may well have had your own answer with being more patient.

 

Conversely to get into reverse or first sometimes, after fully stopping, handbrake on, clutch down, releasing the handbrake a bit and letting the car roll just a little forward or back with the clutch pedal (full) down can have the gears roll to better aliment - perhaps that might help to get out of reverse too.. 

 

Depends on the use, and abuse, of the vehicle, lots of short trips are move wearing on things like brakes, engine and transmission  - I recently change the transmission oil on my wife's Fabia at 37k-miles and 5 and a half years old, it improved the feel of the gearshifts but they weren't bad before.  I always use good quality (fully synthetic) oil as it's not expensive given how many years it says in.  Some think oil's been in the ground for millions of years and that's how long it lasts in a car.  

 

You could go on to check the oil level in the transmission, if oil spills out check it's colour against fresh oil.

 

The issue might also be with the gear lever or gear linkage or transmission - but it might not so try the free and easy stuff first.

 

What most of us drivers don't like to accept is that often the best improvements to vehicles is driver learning or training, I include myself in this too. 

 

Let us know how you get on with those "tips".

 

This is a problem that has come up before, if I can find the other posts I’ll tag you in them @hetty1