New Polo goes forward in reverse gear!

RainbowLaura

I've got a new VW Polo which I've only driven a few times due to the "lockdown". I went to get some shopping yesterday and had to reverse out of my parking spot, but the car moved forwards instead. I disengaged and tried again a few times but the same thing kept happening. I even got my husband to come and try but he found the same, so unlikely to be my error. We got our neighbour to move their car so we could drive out forwards, and after that the reverse gear worked fine! However, one or two times before the same thing has happened. It seemed to correct after a couple of goes, so I did put it down to user error then but now I don't believe it is. The gearbox feels lovely and smooth, and reverse definitely engages as the parking sensor screen comes up. You also have to push down to select reverse so it's easy to be sure. The dealership is closed at the moment but I will be taking it in when they reopen. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas? Obviously I can't go anywhere that might involve needing to reverse now in case it happens again!

neilmcl

I think it's definitely user error, you're just not used to finding reverse gear on that car. It's impossible for the car to drive forward if reverse gear has properly been selected.

Also may be worth having a look on the dedicated owner forums - https://uk-polos.net/viewforum.php?f=51

daveyjp

The electronics for the screen, reverse lights etc are at the base of the gearstick, so that isn't an indicator reverse is actually engaged, it merely confirms the switch is working.

User error or linkage problem.  I suspect user error.  Select reverse slowly ensuring the gearstick is pushed fully down until it engages.  It is easy to push down half heartedly and get 1st instead.

red_eye

RainbowLaura said:

I've got a new VW Polo which I've only driven a few times due to the "lockdown". I went to get some shopping yesterday and had to reverse out of my parking spot, but the car moved forwards instead. I disengaged and tried again a few times but the same thing kept happening. I even got my husband to come and try but he found the same, so unlikely to be my error. We got our neighbour to move their car so we could drive out forwards, and after that the reverse gear worked fine! However, one or two times before the same thing has happened. It seemed to correct after a couple of goes, so I did put it down to user error then but now I don't believe it is. The gearbox feels lovely and smooth, and reverse definitely engages as the parking sensor screen comes up. You also have to push down to select reverse so it's easy to be sure. The dealership is closed at the moment but I will be taking it in when they reopen. In the meantime, does anyone have any ideas? Obviously I can't go anywhere that might involve needing to reverse now in case it happens again!

You must have got first. 

For vw is push down or pull up and slot into reverse. All reverse gears have some form device to stop you selecting reverse accidentally 

Mutton_Geoff

I think if my name was Fred, I'd suggest that the lack of use caused the viscosity of the gearbox oil to increase. This causes the tamping wopple [10] to stick as it traverses the syncromesh disc [9] (no syncro on reverse). The radius pinion [6] then fouls the Keyley trunnion [5] and the limited layshaft travel [6] now engages the reverse gear [8] in the opposite direction, hence the car moves forward.

bengalknights

Are you its not 1st as they are in similar positions

Dr_Crypto

I had a Polo years ago. IIRC the gear stick was fairly stiff when new and it was a minor effort to select R. You're probably just not used to the car. 

tommyedinburgh

You've had a total mare!

kazwookie

Get it to a local garage for checking