What Causes the Clicking Sound When Shifting into Reverse Gear in a New Car?

[LeLukas]

When shifting into reverse gear in a new car, the clicking sound occurs because the vehicle is not completely stationary during the process, leading to gear grinding. To prevent this, the clutch pedal must be fully depressed, ensuring the gears engage smoothly. If the clutch is not fully engaged, the engine and transmission remain connected, causing the transmission output shaft to continue rotating and resulting in gear hesitation. In most vehicles, reverse gear lacks helical teeth and synchronizers, relying instead on direct gear-to-gear engagement. This design generates significant noise during reverse gear engagement, primarily due to incomplete gear meshing. It's crucial for drivers to ensure the car is completely stopped and the clutch is fully depressed before shifting into reverse to avoid gear grinding.