magixpuma

Latley when I try to engage in reverse it wont let me. IT only have engages and slips on it. Its very weird? any help slash suggestions.

Labop

If you mean: that with the clutch fully in, it is sometimes hard to get the shifter fully into reverse then I've had the same problem.

I just put it back into any other gear (usually 5th cuase it's closest) and then slowly bring it back to neutral and into reverse. I only experience this intermitantly, maybe once every couple of weeks.

magixpuma

Yeah its very odd, you think its in but it locks it halfway into going into reverse. then you have to take it back into neatrul and then ittl let you back in reverse.

aggietiff28

If none of that works...try putting it in first, nudging it forward a tiny bit, then putting it right back in reverse. This has worked on every car that I have ever owned (all standards).

Labop

^^ that's what I do if simply swtiching to another gear doesn't work. you only have to move the car and inch or so and reverse will work fine. Now that I think about it, my old accord did this all the time. Became second nature for me to go to 1st before going to reverse... :o

bmcc49er

Same problem. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of effort to shift into reverse especially from a cold start and sometimes it just glides right in. Have grinded a few times thinking it was in.

max5roadster

Have not had that prob in my 8 yet, but my miata does it all the time. I instinctively go to first-reverse every time I drive.

jeff98air

I have the exact same problem. All other gears are fine. I always go into another gear first (sometimes more than one) and shift into reverse slowly. On level ground, it only happens intermittently, but on an uphill slope, it happens almost always. It "kinda" feels like it's in, but when I slowly start letting the clutch out, it's starts grinding and I have to try again. Sometimes I let the car roll a little, then it goes in. I have a 2004 6sp MT, build date 10/03. I'm going to the dealer later for a couple minor TSBs and I'll ask them about it and report back.

MI_FamilyMan

Going on my own personal experience, this reverse issue is pretty common amongst some vehicles. My Honda's (Civic & Prelude) used to do this very often. I just slipped it into 1st, wait 2-3 seconds, back into neutral, let go of the clutch, push it back in, and presto it goes into reverse like butter.

Haven't had any problems with the RX-8 going into reverse yet. I only get a lot of revving up and down of the engine when I start moving in reverse when the car is cold and I don't wait the 15-20 seconds.

Shocka

happens to me and is postd on the board a couple times, I usually go into Reverse, back into neutral and then in Reverse since i started this technique i have NEVER had the problem.

But i do like the idea of insticntly going into first when u start the car then shift into reverse.

jeff98air

Here's the follow-up: I talked to both the service writer and the mechanic working on my car regarding this issue (both really nice guys). They both said it's common of certain cars. The mechanic told me that Mazda has the lockout on reverse pretty tight to reduce the chance of accidentally shifting from 5th to Reverse when going for 6th. Now if you have problems with other gears, that's a different story; I have had no problems with any other gear. The mechanic did suggest that, when parking on a hill, shut down the car while in gear (1st--uphill, Reverse--downhill) vs. shutting down the car and then putting it in gear. Has something to do with the synchro's or something like that). He also recommended going to 1st before Reverse (as many others mentioned). I feel much better about this issue now.

LiL BenNy

ive grinded gears thinking i was in reverse too.... when you say put into first do you mean like... engage clutch, shift to 1st then shift to reverse then give gas/let off clutch? so you guys mean when putting it in first just going through that shift pattern correct?

jeff98air

Correct. Engage clutch->shift to 1st->back to neutral->shift to reverse->(if it still doesn't go, ->back to neutral->back to reverse). If you're stopped on a hill, you may need to roll an inch, or two, to get it in.

MDRX8

Me too.. Sometimes just pushing down helps. Watch out. Roll a inch or to and scratch a spoiler...

LiL BenNy

wait im confused some say put it in 1st then back to neutral and others say put in 1st move and in put in neutral and then in reverse.. which is it?

Hung_horse31

What you want to do is put it in neutral, press down on the clutch and put it in reverse. You should feel 2 clicks when doing it. If it goes in smooth, then likely it is not engaged and it will grind. Always remember that your car is in idle when shifting to reverse. If your rolling down a hill and shift to reverse it will grind. Its happen to me before, now that i understand i havent grind since..