It is never pleasing to listen to a sound on your vehicle that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be thinking about what to do when you identify a reversing gear noise that remains on your Citroen C3? Any gearbox trouble can be important, but before making sure, it is better to do a few inspections. Our team has created this content page to support you resolve it. First, we will see what the origins and the different gearbox noises can be on Citroen C3, and second, what are the solutions available to you.reverse-gear-noise-citroen-c3

Classical reverse Citroen C3 noises and some tips to preserve your gearbox

Why does the reversing of my Citroen C3 make a different noise from my other speeds?

De facto, integrating all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult exercise. The sound generated by the reversing of your Citroen C3 is logical. It can be explained in a fairly simple way. In fact, the gears used for conventional speeds (1st to 5th or 6th) are so-called “helical” gears (oblique gears) . The use of such a pinion makes the noise caused by the gears less strong than with spur gears used for the reverse gear.

Tips to limit wear on your clutch and gearbox

  • Don’t give a big boost:
    In fact, if you kick the throttle hard when you are in reverse or when you put the vehicle in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions.

  • Never reverse while the vehicle is in motion or vice versa:
    Reversing the direction of operation of the gearbox during operation is a very bad choice. In fact, the pressure you will apply on the gears will be enormous and you will create a premature wear and tear of the gears. You can even destroy the gears of your gearbox at speed by doing so. It will therefore be completely normal if you hear a reverse noise on your Citroen C3 if you shift gear under these conditions.

Different Citroen C3 reversing noises and their origins

Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most enthusiastic about in this document, to find out about the origin of reversing noise on Citroen C3. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.

I find out a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear

If you listen to a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Citroen C3, it may be the engine mounts that are tired. Indeed, when the engine is in reverse gear, due to the pinions we saw above the vibrations made by the gearbox are higher and it is therefore conceivable that due to their wear the silentblocks no longer absorb the engine vibrations well. In this circumstance, do not hesitate to check this document for more info about strut mount noises on Citroen C3.

An increased reverse knocking noise on Citroen C3X

If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Citroen C3 and this noise tends to build up as you gain speed. It is conceivable that you are going through a serious trouble that needs to be fixed right away before wrecking your entire gearbox. In fact, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will spread to the rest of the box and damage other gears quickly. Take your vehicle to your auto mechanic quickly or browse this content page about gearbox noise on Citroen C3 for more information.

I listen to a noise when I go in reverse

Finding out a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and relating to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your Citroen C3 reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is conceivable that filings have been made and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.