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I often put my manual car into reverse while still moving forwards. I do it at less than 10mph. However, sometimes the gears crunch.

Am I doing any damage by doing this?

Why do the gears crunch? I have the clutch down so the gearbox wouldn't be turning, as it is disengaged...

If I did it all the time would I be damaging my car?

I am asking this generally, but my car is a 2003 Opel Agila.

Note: My question is basically the opposite of this question.. The other question applies to automatic transmissions, and about the torque converter doing the rev matching. I have a manual transmission, and a solid clutch, not a hydraulic torque converter.

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George
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1 Answers1

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You say that the gearbox won't be turning, but since the car is moving forward, the gears in the gearbox must be turning. Reverse doesn't usually have a synchromesh, so the gears won't synchronise and will therefor crunch. Clearly this will cause damage.

HandyHowie
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