Reverse gear whine?
- Thread starter mlhil
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It's very normal. Why it makes the sound is beyond my knowledge level.
Monk
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I've always thought most cars have a high whine in reverse, and you've been driving almost as long as I have. Hard to say any more since I can't hear it.
andre12dbsi
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I was just thinking about how loud the whine is when I backed up a second ago. It's normal as far as Civics go. I don't seem to remember other cars doing it though.
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Scione
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So it's not only my Civic that has whining in reverse. I only drove Toyotas before. None of them have reverse whining.
Monk
Well-Known Member
Are you going fast in reverse ? Also it can vary due to cars soundproofing.
andre12dbsi
Well-Known Member
Mine does it at any speed. The pitch just gets higher if I go faster.
I have never thought of describing it that way, but you couldn't be more dead on as far as a reference to what it sounds like.
CivicCanuck
Well-Known Member
It's the way the teeth are cut in the gears for reverse that causes the noise... every manual Honda I have driven makes noises in reverse, the faster you go, the louder it is.
KennyGS
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I believe the reverse gears are straight cut versus a helical cut typically used on the forward gears. Straight cut gears are simpler/cheaper to produce, but louder. Not a problem since reverse is used less frequently, and at low speed.
the insider
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Yes, the reverse gears are straight cut and the forward gears are helical cut to keep gear whine to a minimum.
xXBob RossXx
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we have dog box transmissions thats why 
xXBob RossXx
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Dar-Dar
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the insider
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For race applications forward gears are straight cut also. Straight cut= strength and ease of construction - helical cut is quiet but pricier to make.Does that car have 6 reverse gear speeds that's backwards?
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I find that the reverse noise is similar to an RC car 
I always said that about our '07 FA5
View: http://youtu.be/8thTOZk08u0?t=30s
I always said that about our '07 FA5
View: http://youtu.be/8thTOZk08u0?t=30s
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KennyGS
How may I help?
Back in the day... there was a thing called the Muncie Rock Crusher transmission. You can hear it at the beginning of this vid. 
Dar-Dar
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I know. I was making a joke.