manual transmision problem

[parce1992]

hi I have 4 door yaris. manual.
cool little thing
however, sometimes when i put it into reverse it makes a sound as if i did not have my clutch engaged but i do....
I really do not want to ruin my transmission and i have that warranty that covers it all.
So what do you guys think i should do? take it to the dealer?

[UTVitz]

I think I might know what you're talking about here since I drive the manual as well. It usually takes a moment of clutch engagement before you shift into reverse to make it seem smooth, though it is still a little notchy. Make sure the car is not moving at all when engaging reverse or you will get grinding-which is very hard on the gears. If you're getting grinding and the car is dead stopped and you engaged the clutch a moment before trying to shift into reverse, I'd have the dealer check it before too long to prevent damage.

[GuySmily]

Every Honda and Toyota I have never driven from my '86 pickup to my girlfriend's 07 Yaris has done this. Put the stick in a different gear before reverse (without letting go of the clutch). I usually use 4th or 5th since they don't see the abuse that 2nd and 3rd do.

I could've sworn I posted about this not too long ago.

[SilverBack]

I used to have this problem too. I had the bad habit of throwing it in reverse while it was still rolling forward at about 1/2 MPH. It used to make a loud grunt during the shift. What works now is making sure the car is completely stopped first, like UT suggests. Also putting in neutral for a second followed by pinning the clutch all the way down before hitting reverse makes for a flawless shift everytime:cool:

[IllusionX]

the square reverse gears don't help either.

i guess most of the tips are already suggested by others... Wait until complete stop, put it in gear before going into reverse.

[trini_per4mance]

As I have done a lot of driving with my Yaris, I have noticed the same thing. I usually engage the clutch and put it in 4th gear then reverse and it goes in smoothly. And also, make sure the car is not rolling.

[jkuchta]

Change your trans fluid to Redline MT-90.....everything will be much smoother, and the grinding will be pretty much gone.

[IllusionX]

^ jkuchta, you are complete lost in what we are talking about.

[1stToyota]

Mine was that way. Got a little worse when I went LubroMoly synthetic GL-5. Switched to GL-4 Amsoil and problem is about 99% gone.

[jkuchta]

Illusion...I think I'm with you.

The reverse gear is non-synchro'd and straight cut, which makes it a little difficult to engage. I had the same problem myself, especially when the trans was cool in the morning. That grinding sound is what happens when reverse is only partially engaged. Switching to the MT-90 pretty much made the problem go away.


You'd be amazed at what a switch to a good fluid will do for this transmission.