2007 SVM - Trouble with Reversing

I am having the most awful time getting into reverse. I cant seem to do it! I know about the little ring you have to lift, and i pull the gear shifter all the way over to the left as far as possible and everything but i just cannot seem to get the thing into reverse. I have dont it a couple times so i know HOW to do it but i think there must be a little trick or something to it that I dont know and I have accidentally done a couple times. can someone give me some pointers or have any hints on it? Or if you dont have any trouble can u describe in detail how you put yours into reverse. (i dont think i need to mention this but I might as well, YES, it is a standard transmission) THANKS :wink:

I have a 2007 Aveo5 SVM and have no trouble getting into reverse. However, I have driven a standard shift since I was 16 and am now 53 years old.

Try this: Make sure the car is in neutral. With your fingers pull up on the collar on the shift stick. Pull the shift stick all the way to the left and then push it up. Do not try and force it! It takes almost no pressure to properly shift a manual transmission. If it doesn't seem to be going into reverse, once the stick is all the way to the left, push up a little bit and then try and make it go left again a little and then up again. Again, almost no pressure! Forcing a manual shifter is a great way to wear it out prematurely and/or break something.

If you know someone who has a lot of experience driving a standard shift, have them try it.

If you are still having problems, take it back to the dealer and explain the problem to them. Ask them to check it. It may be that the alignment on the shifter is somewhat out of whack.

Good Luck!

i have a real quick question? what does SVM mean?

SVM= Special Value Model

I think these were/are very basic models that are outfitted for the very lowest price possible.

To lilstac--

If you are still having trouble getting into reverse, sometimes you need to double clutch it--- with the stick in neutral, let out the clutch and then depress it again and try again to shift into reverse. Sometimes the gears aren't quite lined up right and double clutching re-positions them.

HTH...--Mike

I am having the most awful time getting into reverse. I cant seem to do it! I know about the little ring you have to lift, and i pull the gear shifter all the way over to the left as far as possible and everything but i just cannot seem to get the thing into reverse. I have dont it a couple times so i know HOW to do it but i think there must be a little trick or something to it that I dont know and I have accidentally done a couple times. can someone give me some pointers or have any hints on it? Or if you dont have any trouble can u describe in detail how you put yours into reverse. (i dont think i need to mention this but I might as well, YES, it is a standard transmission) THANKS :wink: Mike is exactly right. The gears are not always lined up. If you can't get into reverse then push in the clutch and shift into neutral then release the cluch and push back in again, the gears should realine and you can shift into reverse. I have experienced this many times. There is nothing wrong with your trans.

Thanks, heh, got it.. There is such a FEEL to driving a stick shift... everything has a feel and a certain little way of doing it to get it just right. Meh it is an art and i like being a part of the artists that are able to do it but sometimes I just wanna jump in the car, hit the gas and just go and not think about a damn thing. OH WELL. But since you are here, please check out my other post called "BAD mileage" Because this n00b needs more help :-(