How to distinguish between reverse gear and first gear in large trucks?
2 Answers
You can observe the density of the gears. Generally, the reverse gear is designed with denser teeth than the first gear. Press the gear lever - at the same position, pressing it down engages reverse gear, while gently pushing it forward to the left without pressing engages first gear.
I've been driving big trucks all my life, so how do you tell the difference between reverse and first gear? This is such a common issue. The key is to look at the gear lever position—first gear is usually at the top left, and you push forward to engage it. Reverse gear requires an extra step, like pressing a button on the gear knob or pulling a lever. That's just how truck manual transmissions are designed, to prevent accidental mis-shifting. Newbies often get confused, thinking they're in first gear when they're actually in reverse, and if they hit something in a parking lot, it's a huge mess. My advice to all drivers is to practice neutral operations a few times before driving, find an empty space to test shifting, and get a feel for the click sounds and resistance at different positions. Also, the dashboard lights will show the gear—don't be lazy, check it properly. Remember, reverse takes a bit more force, while first gear is smoother. Mis-shifting is dangerous, and seasoned drivers always say safety comes first!
