How to engage the R gear when it's on the left side of first gear?
2 Answers
R gear indicates the vehicle is in reverse. To operate it, you typically need to press the safety button on the shift lever before moving the lever to the "R" position. Press the gear lever downward and then push it to the upper left to engage the R gear. Do not force the shift into R gear when the vehicle hasn't come to a complete stop, as this may damage the transmission.
In such cases, it's quite common for the R (reverse) gear in manual transmission cars to be positioned to the left of first gear. For instance, in my old Jetta, you need to depress the clutch pedal fully until the car comes to a complete stop, then grip the gear lever and push it down to the bottom left. Sometimes, you also need to press the small button on top of the gear knob to unlock it before engaging the R position. The operation should be gentle and smooth—avoid jerking it abruptly to prevent wear on the transmission gears. Once in reverse, slowly release the clutch until you hear the engine sound change, indicating engagement. Before reversing, always check the mirrors and blind spots to ensure there are no obstacles. Regular maintenance, like replacing worn clutch discs, helps prevent slippage and makes gear shifting smoother. This layout is designed to prevent accidental engagement, and with practice, it becomes second nature.
