Let's say you're in a car which that's in a moving semi-trailer. Let's assume that it's an automatic

[MrScorpio]

The back flips down to make a ramp, and you throw the car into reverse to back down that ramp.

Now, instead of doing an immediate 180 and ending up facing traffic, you throw the gear into drive, while you're still in reverse, so that way you can pass the moving truck that you've just exited.

Now, how do you do this without coming to a complete stop first? Aren't you going to fuck up the transmission? Are today's vehicles even capable of being put into drive while they're still moving in reverse?

Or do you either do the 180 or just come to that complete stop first?

[kentauros]

1. Put it in neutral while you're still rolling backward

and then in drive. I don't think it will screw up the transmission then. But it would it you went directly from reverse to drive. That's probably why neutral is situated between them.

ETA: the forward momentum of the truck would get your car moving forward enough to put it into drive without screwing up the transmission. Just don't floor it in reverse initially. You want to only get out of the truck, not crash

[kentauros]

4. Getting back into the truck can be difficult, too:

[onehandle]

2. I could do it, but I'm the Bandit, so I'll keep the secret to myself...

[IMG][/IMG]

[pinboy3niner]

3. I can't tell you how long that question has been weighing on my mind

By the way, good luck with your new gig as an amateur stunt driver in that new Fast & Furious sequel. Sounds like you're gonna need it.

[kentauros]

7. He could get Ken Block to teach him:

[mokawanis]

5. I say we give it a try

I mean, you give it a try and report back to us.

[Wounded Bear]

6. I think you need a standard transmission for that stunt...

Even in neutral, if you put an auto transmission into drive in a moving vehicle, it starts in low gear. Kind of like locking up the brakes.

[MADem]

8. I drive a standard!

But don't they make cars now that can switch between automatic and standard...?

[Blue Owl]

9. If only Rockford were still around...

n/t

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. The Mythbusters did an episode on this subject.

Can't recall whether they used an automatic or not though.

Thing is, most automatics will roll backwards in Drive if the grade is steep enough. The ramp in your scenario would suffice.

As soon as the rear wheels hit the pavement they would immediately spool up to match the speed of the truck. Gravity would continue to pull you back off the ramp till the front wheels are on the ground. Then just steer left and go around the truck.

[kentauros]

11. I didn't know that about the transmission remaining in drive

but you explained better what I was getting at with "forward momentum"

[rurallib]

12. if you stopped at a stoplight on a hill some day

take your foot off the brake for a few seconds - it will roll backwards - even in drive.

[kentauros]

13. Yeah, there's one spot in Austin when I need to get on MoPac S

where it's a steep hill up at a stop light. I have to use the handbrake to keep from rolling backwards! That's not a technique I ever have to use in Houston

[CBGLuthier]

14. Nothing else matters so long as you follow the first rule of Italian Driving

Gumball

Just realized this scene has two of my favorite actors and both died far too young.

[hifiguy]

15. This calls for a Mythbusters investigation.

Paging Jamie and Adam!

[benld74]

16. Sort of reminds me of a Steven Wright joke

Got a great deal on a house near the interstate

Only problem is I have to be going 80mph when I back outta my driveway.