Direct Select lever (correct use)

[Manc Rick]

This is a question I’ve been pondering for a couple of years and I can’t find the answer anywhere, although I think I know; I just thought I’d ask the question.

So with the direct select lever, when moving from drive to reverse, or reverse to drive, I move to neutral and wait a second before pushing again into reverse. I have always done this, as opposed to pushing the lever directly from drive > past neutral and into reverse, in one movement. I’m almost certain that there is no need to do this, but it just feels wrong to move the stalk all the way past neutral and into drive/reverse.

So my question is, do most people simply move directly from drive to reverse without pausing at neutral? I expect the answer is yes and that this habit is linked to my OCD.

If course, I never move the lever unless/until the car is stationary.

Just curious that’s all.
Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

Correct, no need to do it…

We’ve had a thread or two… on “how to drive an auto”…

I’d get my popcorn and pull up a comfy chair if I were you…

 

[Manc Rick]

Correct, no need to do it…

We’ve had a thread or two… on “how to drive an auto”…

I’ll get my popcorn and pull up a comfy chair if I were you…

Lol, just my obsessive nature. I knew logically there was no need to do it but needed to hear it. I’m sure it stems from a YouTube video I watched a couple of years ago where it was stated not to do this.

Thanks for confirming

 

[sonic]

Those who drove autos in the 70's will remember the very wide gate you had to pull the selector through. It was impossible to to just pull the leaver from reverse to drive. Possibly a throwback from those days?

 

[Headhurts]

I cannot remember ever using neutral in any of my auto cars it’s just something that the lever passes through.

The system is electronic anyway so its designed to be used by idiots like me.

Robin

 

[EmilysDad]

.....

If course, I never move the lever unless/until the car is stationary.

Just curious that’s all.
Thanks

you can even select reverse while at speed .... fortunately the electronics will just ignore you - apparently!

 

[LostKiwi]

you can even select reverse while at speed .... fortunately the electronics will just ignore you - apparently!

On the 7G box the dash display will show you allowable selections by showing a little triangle if the selection is permitted. When going forward R and P have the triangle removed. When reversing D and P are no longer selectable. Everything lights up when stopped.

 

[EmilysDad]

On the 7G box the dash display will show you allowable selections by showing a little triangle if the selection is permitted. When going forward R and P have the triangle removed. When reversing D and P are no longer selectable. Everything lights up when stopped.

I'd not long had my R Class, I was driving and wanted to wash the screen, on the previous car, the wipers were the stalk on the right .... so I pressed the end of the R's gear selector. Fortunately the car didn't take any notice.

 

[LostKiwi]

I'd not long had my R Class, I was driving and wanted to wash the screen, on the previous car, the wipers were the stalk on the right .... so I pressed the end of the R's gear selector. Fortunately the car didn't take any notice.

I've done that except I indicated..... Japanese cars (like those I grew up with) have indicators on the right and for some reason some old muscle memory kicked in.....

 

[Manc Rick]

you can even select reverse while at speed .... fortunately the electronics will just ignore you - apparently!

I always wondered about this aswell. I would assume (and hope) that would be the case, being that it is electronic, although I’d hate to try it.

I always remember the shock I felt in my old 212 when I followed my old habit of opening the drivers door when reversing into a parking space (a habit from my pre-auto days)… bang was the sound I remember as the transmission was slammed into park. Thankfully I was only creeping. Never did that again!

 

[EmilysDad]

I've done that except I indicated..... Japanese cars (like those I grew up with) have indicators on the right and for some reason some old muscle memory kicked in.....

Kias have/had them on the 'wrong' side too ....

 

[EmilysDad]

....

I always remember the shock I felt in my old 212 when I followed my old habit of opening the drivers door when reversing into a parking space (a habit from my pre-auto days)… bang was the sound I remember as the transmission was slammed into park. Thankfully I was only creeping. Never did that again!

My ML will do that too, but if the door is already open, it will then select forward or backwards

 

[S500 Pete]

This is a question I’ve been pondering for a couple of years and I can’t find the answer anywhere, although I think I know; I just thought I’d ask the question.

So with the direct select lever, when moving from drive to reverse, or reverse to drive, I move to neutral and wait a second before pushing again into reverse. I have always done this, as opposed to pushing the lever directly from drive > past neutral and into reverse, in one movement. I’m almost certain that there is no need to do this, but it just feels wrong to move the stalk all the way past neutral and into drive/reverse.

So my question is, do most people simply move directly from drive to reverse without pausing at neutral? I expect the answer is yes and that this habit is linked to my OCD.

If course, I never move the lever unless/until the car is stationary.

Just curious that’s all.
Thanks

It is only an electronic switch and the computer will decide what is allowed. When backing off my drive I go from reverse to forward while it is still coming to a halt and never a twitch.
I have also tried to select park to wash the screen while moving and it just ignores me and puts a message on the dash to say don't.

 

[Ron240]

I have also tried to select park to wash the screen while moving and it just ignores me and puts a message on the dash to say don't.

The very real possibility of doing this has been a concern for me since getting my first Mercedes back in 2020 and I have almost done it on a few occasions...so I am reassured to hear this.

Oh and like everybody else I never pause in neutral, but I do make sure my car has stopped moving before switching between drive and reverse.