michail71

This morning it was a bit colder out than usual (upper 50s) but when I put my car into reverse there was a hard knock as I shifted into reverse. I put it back in park and tried it a couple more times. Each time there was an unsettling bang. I could feel it through the shifter knob too. It felt like there was a tight spot on the sifter that gave out when the bang happened. This did not involve moving the car, only changing the gear.

I put the car in drive and pulled forward about a foot and tried it again. That time there was no bang. It has not happened again.

I just got the car back from being in service for over a month.

I did some searching but it seemed most of these posts related to this were older.

stgry1

What was your RPM at time of shift? You mentioned it was in the 50s. If the engine is idling higher or longer than normal due to temp, you may have experienced this from shifting before the engine idle reduced to normal range. I always allow my vehicle to warm up for at least 30-45 seconds before engaging any gear -- longer when colder.

Alfadude

Uh.....upper 50s is not cold, at least for a car. My car hasn't seen the upper 50s in about three months and has never done that. When it even gets anywhere close to 40 degrees here it is a great day.

michail71

I was in a warmup mode at the time. But I had probably been waiting around a minute or so since I was taking care of some emails and checking traffic first.

It is the first time I've driven the car when it's been that cold.

stgry1

I live in FL...50s is cold for us and enough for a MAF to cause an adjustment to it's tables. And the engine idles are reflective of that. Colder air = denser air=more fuel etc etc.
Michail that's the only thing that would make sense to me...especially if it hasn't done it again since you are now conscious of it. You said it was the first time you had driven the car since it was cold so you may have just followed your standard routine. I wouldn't give it much thought unless it happens again. Another factor that may cause it is if the vehicle is on an incline. You didn't mention that so it was not considered.

michail71

I was at a slight incline. So I tried to setup the same circumstances this morning and it didn't happen again.

Carsy

Michail,

My 5 speed has done this a few times when reversing over an obstruction. The ATM was under load when asked to reverse.

I don't think we have anything to worry about.

aycheung

i used to notice mine would do this, but doesn't anymore for some reason....

spyked

I would bet, as others have said, its one of two things.

1. RPMs were high due to engine warming up upon start up. Wait for the RPMs to dip down below 1000 - take 20 seconds or so.

or

2. Didn't use parking brake when you last parked and the car settled on the transmission a bit. Especially if on an incline.