It is never enjoyable to experience a sound on your automobile that you don’t know where it comes from. You may be wondering what to do when you identify a reversing gear noise that lasts on your Kia Optima? Any gearbox trouble can be serious, but before making sure, it is better to do a few investigations. Our team has written this content page to support you deal with it. First, we will see what the sources and the different gearbox noises can be on Kia Optima, and second, what are the solutions available to you.reverse-gear-noise-kia-optima

Classical reverse Kia Optima noises and some tips to preserve your gearbox

Why does the reversing of my Kia Optima make a different noise from my other speeds?

De facto, integrating all gears, bearings and pinions into a gearbox is a difficult task. The noise created by the reversing of your Kia Optima is logical. It can be explained in a fairly simple way. Indeed, 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 reduce 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 automobile in the revs, you risk to burn your clutch or gnawing at the gearbox pinions.

  • Never reverse while the automobile is in motion or vice versa:
    Reversing the direction of operation of the gearbox during operation is a very bad practice. Indeed, 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 typical if you hear a reverse noise on your Kia Optima if you shift gear under these conditions.

Different Kia Optima reversing noises and their triggers

Finally in this section, we will move on to what you are probably most interested in this article, to learn about the source of reversing noise on Kia Optima. Here are the 3 typical noises you may be victim of.

I notice a grinding noise when starting in reverse gear

If you experience a grinding noise when you start in reverse with your Kia Optima, it may be the engine mounts that are tired. In fact, when the engine is in reverse gear, due to the pinions we saw above the vibrations generated by the gearbox are higher and it is therefore possible that due to their wear the silentblocks no longer absorb the engine vibrations well. In this situation, do not hesitate to check out this content page for more info about strut mount noises on Kia Optima.

An increased reverse knocking noise on Kia OptimaX

If you are subject to a knocking noise when you are in reverse with your Kia Optima and this noise tends to build up as you gain speed. It is possible that you are going through a serious trouble that needs to be solved rather quickly before ruining your entire gearbox. Indeed, an intensifying rattling noise means that the gears are damaged. If they are, debris will disperse to the rest of the box and damage other gears quickly. Take your automobile to your auto mechanic quickly or browse this content about gearbox noise on Kia Optima for more data.

I acknowledge a noise when I go in reverse

Hearing a noise when you shift into reverse is normal and related to the gears and sprockets used in the gearbox. If, on the other hand, you have the feeling that your Kia Optima reverse gear makes more noise than before, it is possible that filings have been produced and are moving around in it. It is therefore time to empty the box.