I just got a Forester. Never had a Subaru and I love it so far! One small concern. My wife was driving it back from the dealer with less than 25 miles on it yesterday and it was at night. She had gotten confused about the shift pattern and instead of going into 5th gear she moved the gearshift lever down almost as if she was going to go into reverse when she heard metal on metal and immediately corrected what she was doing and put the lever up into fifth. I am freaking out thinking that she ground gears or something. The car runs fine, no problems but I am wondering what the metal on metal sound was. Should I assume that I have metal fragments inside of my transmission now or was that just the pressure plate or what? If anyone can help I would certainly appreciate it. This is a brand new car!! I know in the past when I have had sticks I at times rarely when I didn't have the clutch down far enough did something like this but she was on the freeway, not that it should matter but I don't know.
Stick Grind Gears 2006 Forester HELP
Feb 21, 2006
3 Replies
I'd say don't worry about it. I've done it more than once with my '99 Outback. It sound horrible, but I doubt any damage was done. There's been no metal in my transmission grease and I changed it a couple months ago.
maybe this is why reverse is synchronized on the STi ;-) I'm surprised there is no lockout on the Forester. that's life, your wife's not the first. probably no harm done. best not to make it a habit of course.
No big deal. Lord knows I've made the same mistake from time to time, especially in the Chevy work truck I had a while back. When trying to downshift from 5th to 4th on hills I'd grind on the reverse slot every time if I didn't concentrate carefully. After dozens of such events there were still no obvious problems. Sure sounds nasty, though!
Mike
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