Politis

This Move Can Destroy the Gearbox

Published March 25, 2026, 07:17
This Move Can Destroy the Gearbox

Proper maintenance and careful driving are essential to avoid damage to the car's gearbox. A serious mistake is attempting to engage reverse while the car is moving, as this can cause significant damage to the transmission system. Even simply touching the gear selector without engaging a gear can strain the mechanical parts. In cars with manual transmissions, common mistakes include “grinding” gears, shifting without using the clutch, resting your hand on the gear selector, and neglecting to check the lubricant. In automatic transmissions, mistakes are fewer due to the driver's limited involvement in the gear-changing process. It is important to remember that reverse often does not have a synchronizer and should only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stationary. Attempting to engage it while the car is moving, even slightly, can cause serious stress and noise.