Shifting without Stopping - Yes or No?

[R1Tom]

QM, sounded like from the rear when it happened.

I am at a loss...maybe a bad vibration or something. Or could be rear disconnect related but I don't think those do anything unless manually triggered. Who know....but good to know it did that. Thx!

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[jjrivian]

I've always assumed there is no mechanical gear box, that it's OK to do this as long it's not at a extreme speed of changing direction. Have been doing this on my Model 3 for years. But I could be wrong.

 

[Skysurfer]

I've always assumed there is no mechanical gear box, that it's OK to do this as long it's not at a extreme speed of changing direction. Have been doing this on my Model 3 for years. But I could be wrong.

Yeah, exactly. Automatic transmissions in ICE vehicles had clutches that needed to apply and would slip excessively if shifting while moving, but single speed drives like most EVs won't be bothered shifting at low speed. The force seen shifting from reverse to drive at 4MPH is nothing compared to a single mash of the accelerator and no different from regen every time you lift off the accelerator.

 

[C12farmer]

Gen2 DM here. I find that when I’m going “too fast” and shift from reverse to drive, the accelerator pedal will make this pulsating feel and almost like a ticking sound. Since the pedal is not connected to and real drivetrain, I assume it’s something in the pedal motor thingy.

It’s only happened when I’m going faster than a few mph. That taught me not to shift from reverse to drive if going too fast. Not weird issues if I’m only going 1-2 mph.

 

[JohnB R1T]

"Park" is very similar to "Engage Cruise Control" on some ICE vehicles. Accordingly, I have hit Park at highway speeds more than once. The Rivian is smart enough not to try this and (other than admonishing you) nothing happens.

It is possible, however to engage park from a very low speed when still rolling. As has been mentioned, the sound is not pleasant. I apologized to the Rivian for this inadvertent action.

 

[SwampNut]

I've always assumed there is no mechanical gear box, that it's OK to do this as long it's not at a extreme speed of changing direction. Have been doing this on my Model 3 for years. But I could be wrong.

You're exactly right, and both vehicles will limit the shift speed. Electric motors simply don't care at all if you do this. And the gears are meshed and doing exactly the same thing as it does during regen braking. Zero issue.

 

[Riv E In]

Then why would the manual say not to do it?

 

[SoCal Rob]

Then why would the manual say not to do it?

It could be that whoever created the manual used other owner manuals as inspiration for what they needed to include. It could be that an attorney thought it needed to be included.

I don’t shift R to D or D to R without stopping first, just out of habit. If the engineers didn’t want you doing this at very low speeds I’m confident they’d be sure to lock out the ability to do it. Similar to how they prevent drive mode adjustments while using cruise control or highway assist.

 

[White Shadow]

If it were truly harmful, it would be soooo easy to put a hard stop in the programming to prevent people from not coming to a complete stop before changing directions.

 

[White Shadow]

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!

I heard you'll get better gas mileage if you do that. ?

 

[edman007]

Then why would the manual say not to do it?

It's one or two things.

1. Lawyers putting this in because they heard it somewhere and didn't consult and actual engineer of the vehicle
2. The actual engineers recommended this due to usability. There are serious safety concerns if you do it at high speeds because on an EV shifting between drive and reverse actually just changes the pedal response.

Specifically for pedal response, in drive, lifting off the pedal accelerates you in reverse (unless you're stopped), and pressing down on the pedal accelerates you forward. In reverse pressing down on the pedal accelerates you forward (unless you're stopped), and lifting off the pedal accelerates you in reverse.

So if you were driving at say 30mph, and shifted to reverse, there would be no loud bangs, but it would start decelerating. You'd go WTF, and lift off the pedal and it would stop decelerating and start coasting (or possibly accelerate). That is a very unsafe situation, and requires a lockout.

They don't want you to drive anywhere near that confusing situation

 

[HaveBlue]

"Park" is very similar to "Engage Cruise Control" on some ICE vehicles. Accordingly, I have hit Park at highway speeds more than once. The Rivian is smart enough not to try this and (other than admonishing you) nothing happens.

It is possible, however to engage park from a very low speed when still rolling. As has been mentioned, the sound is not pleasant. I apologized to the Rivian for this inadvertent action.

Holding the park button while driving and it engages the emergency/parking brake.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

You know, I have to admit I’m guilty of this as well. When I think about it, the sudden changing of directions can’t be good for the power train even at those low speed. I accidentally shifted into reverse one time on a hill. I thought I was completely stopped, but I wasn’t and there was a violent jerk. ?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I do it daily. It hasn't been a problem in the 40K miles I have on my R1. I think the important thing is having your foot off the pedal, shifting then proceeding to accelerate. You don't want to do it with the pedal down.

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