Audi A4

[Eye of the Tiger]

It makes the noise right before the clutch fully connects the trans/engine.  Sounds similar to the sound you'd hear if your brakes were rubbing.

Time for a new car.

[BimmerM3]

It makes the noise right before the clutch fully connects the trans/engine.  Sounds similar to the sound you'd hear if your brakes were rubbing.

Sounds like whirrrring? I think that just does that. I don't really know why.

[Cookie Monster]

Sounds like whirrrring? I think that just does that. I don't really know why.

If it's whirring, it's because reverse is a straight cut gear and straight cut (spur gear) gears always whir. That's why race cars have the whirring noise, it's because they use straight cut gears.

Forward gears are helical gears so they are quiet. Not as strong though.

[BimmerM3]

If it's whirring, it's because reverse is a straight cut gear and straight cut (spur gear) gears always whir. That's why race cars have the whirring noise, it's because they use straight cut gears.

Forward gears are helical gears so they are quiet. Not as strong though.

Oh cool. I never knew why.

[Eye of the Tiger]

If it's whirring, it's because reverse is a straight cut gear and straight cut (spur gear) gears always whir. That's why race cars have the whirring noise, it's because they use straight cut gears.

Forward gears are helical gears so they are quiet. Not as strong though.

I wouldn't say not as strong. Many of those reverse gears are just tiny little shit things compared to the rest, too.

[MX793]

If it's whirring, it's because reverse is a straight cut gear and straight cut (spur gear) gears always whir. That's why race cars have the whirring noise, it's because they use straight cut gears.

Forward gears are helical gears so they are quiet. Not as strong though.

Yes, but the whining sound would be present the entire time the car is moving when in reverse.  From the description, it sounds like it only happens at clutch engagement.

[MX793]

I wouldn't say not as strong. Many of those reverse gears are just tiny little shit things compared to the rest, too.

Straight cut gears are generally stronger than helical gears, which is why race cars use them.  However, that's not the logic behind straight-cut reverse gears since they are almost always the weakest gear in the box.  Straight cut gears are also cheaper to make than helical gears, which is why reverse gears use them.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yes, but the whining sound would be present the entire time the car is moving when in reverse.  From the description, it sounds like it only happens at clutch engagement.

Which is just silly. Other than the noisy reverse gears, there isn't anything else happening that wouldn't happen at least occasionally in forward gears, too.

[Cookie Monster]

Yes, but the whining sound would be present the entire time the car is moving when in reverse.  From the description, it sounds like it only happens at clutch engagement.

I thought Bimmer was talking about the reverse whining that you hear when cars back up, which may or may not be what Giant was talking about.

[Cookie Monster]

Straight cut gears are generally stronger than helical gears, which is why race cars use them.  However, that's not the logic behind straight-cut reverse gears since they are almost always the weakest gear in the box.  Straight cut gears are also cheaper to make than helical gears, which is why reverse gears use them.

I was referring to the use in race cars.

I want a straight cut transmission.

[Rich]

Do your side view mirrors lower to show the curb when you back up?

Maybe it's the electric motors in those making the sound?

[Colonel Cadillac]

My car whirs

[Minpin]

Do your side view mirrors lower to show the curb when you back up?

Maybe it's the electric motors in those making the sound?

I hate that. Every time I put it in reverse I jump and wonder what that sound is. Then I figure out it's just the car being smarter than me. That little bitch.

[giant_mtb]

Yes, but the whining sound would be present the entire time the car is moving when in reverse.  From the description, it sounds like it only happens at clutch engagement.

Right.  Yes, reverse gear whirs slightly, but there is another more prominent sort of whirring/friction noise at clutch engagement.

[giant_mtb]

Do your side view mirrors lower to show the curb when you back up?

Maybe it's the electric motors in those making the sound?

Nah.

[SVT_Power]

I was referring to the use in race cars.

I want a straight cut transmission.

No you don't

[the Teuton]

BTW, those lowering mirrors can be a convenience, but most of the time I've had nothing but issues with the angles they cut to. I wish they'd stay stationary.

[Cookie Monster]

No you don't

In a track car why not?

In a DD, no way. I think I would go crazy after a day or two.

[Cookie Monster]

BTW, those lowering mirrors can be a convenience, but most of the time I've had nothing but issues with the angles they cut to. I wish they'd stay stationary.

Srsly.

[the Teuton]

Srsly.

All of the newer BMWs do it, the SRX does it, and I'm sure there are other cars that do it. It's annoying as hell.

[giant_mtb]

That would be quite obnoxious. Pull dem fuzes.

[Cookie Monster]

On the 7 you can flip the window adjustment switch to the right and the mirror will stop going down.

[Minpin]

Even my dad's Avalanche does it. It's not an exclusive thing anymore.

The good news is that the history and heritage of my moms 02 M-B E320 broke the moving mirrors, so now they are normal mirrors! 

[Colonel Cadillac]

I sometimes like it so that I can see the curve, but other times it doesn't let me know what's going on out back. I have a switch where I can just turn it off and it will raise if need be.

[Raza]

I hate that. Every time I put it in reverse I jump and wonder what that sound is. Then I figure out it's just the car being smarter than me. That little bitch.

Just set your adjustment to the driver's side mirror.  That should cut it out.

[BimmerM3]

I didn't know there was so much hatred for the reverse mirrors. I love 'em.

[SVT_Power]

Never tried a car with 'em I think

[hotrodalex]

My BMW's mirrors work well, especially for the one time a year that I parallel park.

[2o6]

Aren't straight cut gears less lossy?

[sportyaccordy]

I was referring to the use in race cars.

I want a straight cut transmission.

You really don't

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmJH84FnQa8