[sinbad4]

Left something at house, realized at end of cul-de-sac (long), threw it in R.. maxed out speed at only 30MPH (or so). WTF? Really. *sigh*

[Sea-Tac]

Why would you want to go faster than 30 mph in reverse I am assuming in a residential area. Seems a bit foolish doesn’t it?

[skier219]

Jiggle the wheel the wrong little bit and you'll go off the rails pretty quick (if you doubt it, give it a try somewhere in a large empty parking lot to learn for yourself). Even 30mph is quite high for a vehicle in reverse.

I thought this was common sense.

[sor]

I don't think I've ever gone this fast in reverse, but I would have assumed you'd be bouncing off redline at 30 mph. It's only one gear. Aside from control, I'd just be afraid of not being able to see everything clearly enough to react.

[RichM50d]

Originally Posted by skier219

Jiggle the wheel the wrong little bit and you'll go off the rails pretty quick (if you doubt it, give it a try somewhere in a large empty parking lot to learn for yourself). Even 30mph is quite high for a vehicle in reverse.

I thought this was common sense.

I did that shortly after passing my driving test 25 years ago! My friends in the car thought I did it on purpose, and it must have looked good from outside, as it was a perfect J turn, but I had to have a stiff drink when I got home!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

The topics on this forum seem like this is peoples' first car...

[titomi]

and reactions to questions go off-topic very fast.

there is a speed limit going forward, so why not backwards?

[jbtco]

I recall a BMW performance driving course at the Nurburgring GP circuit in my E46 M3 days, instructor who also taught chauffeurs etc anti hi-jack manoeuvres decided to try and teach us J turns on a wide length of straight. It began with high speed reverse before attempting to put car into a spin. One of our number managed to lose The car completely cross a wide section of track and a large grass area and stop about 1/2 inch from the barrier.

[sinbad4]

Sheeze. Up here in MN, the called the fast j-turn - accelerating in reverse to about 15-20 mph, the turning wheel sharply which whips the front end 180 degree so you now completely facing the other direction - “Rockford’s”, presumably from the TV show Rockford Files. Ideally, you follow this maneuver with a quick shift to first and burn out, speeding away to impress one and all. These were great fun to learn and execute.. best done in a forgiving parents car. Cost me a mud flap once.

My complaint is only that I hate to be oppressed. This is ‘Merica. I should be free to be as big an idiot as I like, short of hurting others. X3 was actually quite good in reverse, very stable. Perhaps they assist with the steering (keeping movement small - which is key to stability in Reverse).

A more general complaint is having a car that behaves unpredictably- albiet for kindly intended reasons. Example, last winter, driving my girls to the movie, they gleefully pointed out I had turned the wrong way. It had snowed several inches and was still snowing. I said, “hold on girls and watch THIS!” I acellerared a little - to about 20 mph, turned the wheel, hit the emergency break. The Mazda jerked to the side, the back end started coming around.. then the traction control system kicked in.. all kinds of noises, brakes, engine sputtering, etc... and, to the eternal delight of my teenage girls, I had the Mazda 2 wheels up, over the curb, in the neighbors yard. I don’t embarrass easily, but that day I did. I could hardly mutter, “Stupid Mazda traction control... excellent driver actually...”

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

...
My complaint is only that I hate to be oppressed. This is ‘Merica...”

Drawing a moral equivalency between a safety system and oppression. It's remarkable what people think.

[Pray for Mojo]

Are you expecting multiple reverse gears or something? Maximum freedom is anarchy.

[Ragnarkov]

I totally understand the OPs mentality that he should be the one that decides what he does or doesn't do. It sucks, and I wish we where able to live like that.

Sadly, that's not the world we live in. Limitations have to be in place for the safety of the general public (or the perceived safety, quite a few laws are in place to simply stop dumbasses)

YOU might be perfectly safe pulling this maneuver off. I abso-f'ing-lately guarantee there are idiots and morons out there that feel they can do it, and kill someone. And car companies are more willing to side with caution vs giving everyone free will.

The sad state of affairs is we live in a world forced to limitations based on just how utterly stupid and moronic a good portion of the general public are, and their willingness to push every limit without thought of their well being or anyone elses.

Just watch fail driving videos on YouTube. that is just a teeny portion of what really goes on, and its everywhere. not just America (in case anyone thinks I'm biased).

[sor]

The gear ratio for reverse is 3.46. At redline this should yield about 50mph. At 30mph you should be at around 4100 RPM.

So sure, the gear is capable of a bit more than 30 but since there's only one reverse gear any hopes of driving on the freeway in reverse like they do in films, in any car, should be given up.

[DigiSage]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Example, last winter, driving my girls to the movie, they gleefully pointed out I had turned the wrong way. It had snowed several inches and was still snowing. I said, “hold on girls and watch THIS!” I acellerared a little - to about 20 mph, turned the wheel, hit the emergency break. The Mazda jerked to the side, the back end started coming around.. then the traction control system kicked in.. all kinds of noises, brakes, engine sputtering, etc... and, to the eternal delight of my teenage girls, I had the Mazda 2 wheels up, over the curb, in the neighbors yard. I don’t embarrass easily, but that day I did. I could hardly mutter, “Stupid Mazda traction control... excellent driver actually...”

Reckless driving ✅
In bad weather ✅
On public road ✅
With family in the car ✅

[ParadigmDawg]

Originally Posted by DigiSage

Reckless driving ✅
In bad weather ✅
On public road ✅
With family in the car ✅

That's what makes kids tuff....lol...

I am a tuff kid, well...old man now and I contribute it to the following items my dad made for me.

1. Bottle Rocket gun

2. 6ft ramp to jump my BMX bike

3. 30ft ramp for skateboard

4. Adjustable steel bar and platform for pole vaulting in front yard with an aluminum pipe for a pole vaulting pole.

5. Adjustable welding shield for BB gun fights so I wouldn't lose an eye.

[2001S15]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

The topics on this forum seem like this is peoples' first car...

But can you go faster than 30mph in reverse if it's raining...?

[XXX3]

Op: buy a Crown Vic; it will go fast in “R” and, you can shoot through the windshield!

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by XXX3

Op: buy a Crown Vic; it will go fast in “R” and, you can shoot through the windshield!

Hahahaha

[JSY]

Originally Posted by sinbad4

Example, last winter, driving my girls to the movie, they gleefully pointed out I had turned the wrong way. It had snowed several inches and was still snowing. I said, “hold on girls and watch THIS!” I acellerared a little - to about 20 mph, turned the wheel, hit the emergency break. The Mazda jerked to the side, the back end started coming around.. then the traction control system kicked in.. all kinds of noises, brakes, engine sputtering, etc... and, to the eternal delight of my teenage girls, I had the Mazda 2 wheels up, over the curb, in the neighbors yard. I don’t embarrass easily, but that day I did. I could hardly mutter, “Stupid Mazda traction control... excellent driver actually...”

WTF man, your girls were in the car. Smh... you're lucky that all you faced was embarrassment.

[Almaretto]

Just remove the top speed and you will be able to drive as you desire.

[sinbad4]

Originally Posted by JSY

WTF man, your girls were in the car. Smh... you're lucky that all you faced was embarrassment.

Sigh. Yes. Terrible danger. Going almost 20mph on wide, empty residential street, pull a maneuver I’ve done hundreds of times. Perhaps most people in forum unfamiliar with winter driving. Crying like a bunch of nutless fish wives, “Oh, Lord, save the children!” I had to double check I wasn’t in the Audi forum.

If you drive in northern climate, with regular snow, and your dad taught you how to drive, you’d know that I only endangered my wheel alignment. Sheeze. Just sayin.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

The topics on this forum seem like this is peoples' first car...