Shifting without Stopping - Yes or No?

[Riv E In]

So a little background - my great uncle was a mechanic and he always said I shouldn’t shift my vehicles from drive to reverse or vice versa without coming to a complete stop in between because it could be harmful to the transmission.

Now, regardless of the merits of that advice, does the same principle apply to electric vehicles (namely, Rivians)?

I do it all the time, usually reversing out of a parking spot. But I’ve read that even though EVs don't have a traditional transmission, the drivetrain components can still be affected if the vehicle is not at a complete stop when switching directions, so it's best to come to a full stop before changing between reverse and drive.

True?

Sponsored

 

[VandalSibs]

You get an alert if you are going too fast (say 5 mph, I think?). Otherwise, it allows you to - I routinely shift into reverse at about 2 or 3 mph when parking at work.

I would imagine that with how computerized everything else is, if it was bad to do, the vehicle wouldn't let you do it. But that's just me guessing.

 

[Riv E In]

Well I found the answer in the owners manual. Guess we all need to listen to My Great Uncle!

 

[jmtreetop]

Same - I do it all the time and am probably never at a complete stop when switching from D-to-R or R-to-D

 

[jmtreetop]

Well I found the answer in the owners manual. Guess we all need to listen to My Great Uncle!

Is that for safety or to prevent damage to the vehicle? The computer definitely prevents it at a certain speed threshold.

 

[Rizzian]

so wait... complete stop to shift from Drive to Reverse, but can I throw it in neutral and just coast at any speed?
Somebody else please try it!

 

[Audiotek]

i let my cousin drive my R1S and he shifted immediately into drive from reverse without coming to a complete stop.

It was the last time I allowed him to drive my R1S....in May/June 2024 his NIssan vehicle also needed a new transmission and when riding with him it was a common practice for him to do.

YMMV

 

[Riv E In]

Is that for safety or to prevent damage to the vehicle? The computer definitely prevents it at a certain speed threshold.

It doesn’t say, but my assumption is that doing so consistently over time can slowly damage the drivetrain.

For the record, I do it all the time out of parking spaces. It’s quick. It’s fun. But every time I did it I wondered if it was bad for the vehicle. Now I know the manufacturer warns against it (3 times!), so I’ll try to stop doing it.

Having said that, to each their own. It’s probably akin to charging habits and battery degradation - some people will follow the rules, some (especially lessees) don’t care because it’s nominal and will take years.

Anyway, good to know the answer.

 

[KeithPleas]

I also have been doing this routinely when maneuvering out of parking spots, our driveway, and with multi-point terms. Given all the nanny interlocks (can't open a door without going into park, can't change drive modes at high speed, etc.) I would be surprised if this was a mechanical or reliability issue. I also suspect it's more of a legal disclaimer. But I'll be watching this thread...and will consider stopping or reducing doing this.

 

[Meash20]

I'd argue that while it's possible it's probably not great on the CV which is probably the weak point in this activity. The motors are fine, but things that are connected to those motors would be at risk especially considering the torque..

 

[Riviot]

Same - I do it all the time and am probably never at a complete stop when switching from D-to-R or R-to-D

Same, very low speed.

Only once was I going too fast or applied accelerator in Drive too quickly and heard a not pleasant gear grind.

 

[Mathme]

Agree with others above. Although it can be done (I've done it before) it's likely not best practice as you're applying a lot of additional torque on the CVs and other driveline components that isn't really necessary. With as computerized as these vehicles are, who's to know if it's logged when it's done and if something breaks then Rivian can review said logs to deny a warranty claim?

 

[SANZC02]

Can you do it sure, should you do it probably not. Occasionally it probably is not a big deal but even at 2 or 3 mph there is a lot of kinetic energy from a 7000 pound vehicle that puts unneeded stress on the drive train components. Doing that consistently will certainly increase slop in the joints and could certainly result in premature wear.

 

[R1Tom]

Same, very low speed.

Only once was I going too fast or applied accelerator in Drive too quickly and heard a not pleasant gear grind.

Do you have DM or QM. I am trying to figure out the mechanical aspect of what would grind.

 

[Riviot]

Do you have DM or QM. I am trying to figure out the mechanical aspect of what would grind.

QM, sounded like from the rear when it happened.

Sponsored