What happens when...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Long Island City NY
What happens when...
Friend and I were having a conversation and we couldn't come to a conclusion. What would happen if you put your car into park or reverse when the car is moving...at a good speed like 50-60? Can you even do this? Is there something protecting the driver from doing this? Even if it is not possible, what would happen if it happens?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
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From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Try it and tell us how it goes 
Seriously... there is a reverse lockout on the manual trannys and I'm sure there's something similar on the autos. HOWEvER with enough force your can overpower the lockout and indeed stick it into reverse. It's designed this way from the factory in-case the solenoid sticks and you have to move hte car.
I'd say it'd destroy your tranny....
Seriously... there is a reverse lockout on the manual trannys and I'm sure there's something similar on the autos. HOWEvER with enough force your can overpower the lockout and indeed stick it into reverse. It's designed this way from the factory in-case the solenoid sticks and you have to move hte car.
I'd say it'd destroy your tranny....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 401
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From: Sterling Heights MI
From 20 years ago in the snow. At about 30 mph with the brakes locked, it easily went into reverse. The car slowly did a 180 with the gas to the floor, then slowed to a stop and tore down the street the other way. Never made it a habit.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
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From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Originally Posted by SJTrance
So, it doesn't explode in a spetacle of glory? Thanks for the info, guys. That's just what I was looking for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
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A friends sisiter did that to his 79 T/A (turbo 350) about 20 yrs. ago. She put it in park going around a corner. Locked up with some horrible sounds. Did not hurt a thing though, she was only going about 20mph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
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From: Streamwood illinois
seen this happen twice at a track and ive done it once. The girl had no reverse lockout on her mustang and on two separate occasions she hit R (manual valvebody) and ended up spinning out both times and hitting the wall. Trans was fine, rear tiers locked up.
I had a mustang and was WOT on an onramp. I shift from 3rd to Reverse going a good 95 MPH. The rear end locked and I got a lot of wheel hop. I did manage to get on the clutch right away and that trans lasted just fine after that.
Dave
I had a mustang and was WOT on an onramp. I shift from 3rd to Reverse going a good 95 MPH. The rear end locked and I got a lot of wheel hop. I did manage to get on the clutch right away and that trans lasted just fine after that.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
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From: North Manchester Indiana
I dont see how you could get a manual in reverse at speed,it would have to be forced and make some terrible noise. I can see the tires slipping before a tranny might go away. As for a auto, most park locks are designed to give (kind of) to stop from lunching the trans. Inot park at speed will make a buch of noise. As for reverse, we used to do it all the time for kicks, never hurt a trans but tore up a bunch or rear ends. Tires smoked a lot at 60. wheee.....I had a spyder gear self destruct at 85 mph and lock up the rear end (dana 60) and it broke the driveshaft, never hurt the trans....the pogo effect of the driveshaft got my attention and a safety loop was installed
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: herminston oregon
tranny
Originally Posted by mwagne16
From 20 years ago in the snow. At about 30 mph with the brakes locked, it easily went into reverse. The car slowly did a 180 with the gas to the floor, then slowed to a stop and tore down the street the other way. Never made it a habit.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 651
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From: Janesville WI
I have tried this with a rental Geo Prizm. At about 20mph I put it into Park (purposely) to see what would happen. The tranny simply made some mild clicking noises (like a playing card against a bike tire) until I got down to 5mph, then locked into park. It seemed to have a safeguard for tranny lockup. Not sure about automatic vettes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Man, there are a lot of crazy folks on this forum. 
FWIW, I've never had a hankerin' to throw an auto into park or reverse while moving foward at any appreciable speed . . . and I do like destroying stuff as much as the next guy.
Lots of highly qualified candidates for Detroit's destructive testing labs here.
FWIW, I've never had a hankerin' to throw an auto into park or reverse while moving foward at any appreciable speed . . . and I do like destroying stuff as much as the next guy.Lots of highly qualified candidates for Detroit's destructive testing labs here.