Hi, am new here. Wasn't really sure what to call this. Had an incident this morning. Started my car (2011 Focus) when it was in reverse gear, normally never leave it in gear and so should have checked, but I didn't. I wasn't in the car, I leaned in to turn the engine on as I needed to defrost the windscreen. As soon as I turned the key, the car shot backwards, this wasn't rolling away, this was driving away from me, with my toddler in it and the car door open. It didn't go straight back, it reversed in a u shape, hit a few cars which brought it to a stop. Nothing like this has ever happened to me and trying to process it. Just wondering if that's what you would expect to happen when starting in reverse gear? Normally it just splutters and stalls. 

Is it diesel?  If so, yes, perfectly normal.  If it's a 1.0 EcoBoost I'm surprised it's got the torque to do that.

This is exactly the reason why most modern cars require a clutch or brake press before they'll attempt to start.

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Is it diesel?  If so, yes, perfectly normal.  If it's a 1.0 EcoBoost I'm surprised it's got the torque to do that.

This is exactly the reason why most modern cars require a clutch or brake press before they'll attempt to start.

No, it's 1.6l petrol.  I wasn't in the car either so no accidental pressing of the accelerator.

6 minutes ago, tisonlyme said:

No, it's 1.6l petrol.  I wasn't in the car either so no accidental pressing of the accelerator.

Ah ok, somewhere between the two in terms of low end torque then.

The ECU is designed to prevent the car cutting out immediately after a cold start, so will add a few revs itself if it needs to.  (Raw petrol through the exhaust would ruin the cat).

I can tell you're a bit shaken by it, but this is perfectly normal.  Just one of those things unfortunately.  Doesn't happen often, but just have to remember to check it's not in gear before starting.

I've done it myself before.  I never leave cars in gear either, but went to run some diags on a mates car and he'd left it in gear.  No damage done fortunately as the handbrake was on tight.

I take it your handbrake isn't much good?

Never had an issue with the handbrake, and it was firmly on.  I normally always give the gear stick a wiggle to check, even though I never leave it in gear so why I didn't this morning, I'll never know. 

Kind of just accepted what happened, happened but it was so strange. I also assumed it would just go straight backwards but it's lucky it landed where it did.   I honestly thought I'd need to have my foot on the accelerator for it to power back so quickly, shows how little I know about cars.

And it's all ironic as normally my car cuts out when I am reversing as I've endless issues with the lambda sensor over the years. 

It should barely have moved if the handbrake was on. They usually just jolt and stall. Were the rear wheels moving?

4 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

It should barely have moved if the handbrake was on. They usually just jolt and stall. Were the rear wheels moving?

I don't know, it all happened in seconds and I was too busy chasing my car with my (unstrapped in) toddler whose door has wide open! But the handbrake was 100% firmly on.

Gravel driveway? Icey or otherwise slippy surface the car was parked on?

No, it was on a normal tarmac public car park. It was on a slight incline so I suppose that could make a difference? It was obviously cold this morning but the ground didn't look icy.

First of all you have my sympathy! Do hope nobody got hurt.

1 hour ago, tisonlyme said:

I never leave it in gear so why I didn't this morning, I'll never know. 

I don't know how the gear lever selects reverse on your model (I have an automatic), but is it possible that you had previously leant across and accidentally knocked it into reverse with your knee?

But whatever the reason for the lever being in reverse.... "Experience is rarely cheap, but it's always good value".

12 hours ago, tisonlyme said:

I honestly thought I'd need to have my foot on the accelerator for it to power back so quickly, shows how little I know about cars.

Each gear has a minimum speed at idle revs.  (Basic maths ratios)  Reverse ratio is somewhere between 1st and 2nd so I'd estimate around 10mph at ~900rpm cold idle.  Don't forget you're never normally reversing at full speed, usually slipping the clutch to keep it moving more slowly.

I'd say your handbrake is either poor or wasn't on at all this time...which could make sense if the gear lever was mistakenly left in gear due to distraction or whatever.   

Reverse is the lowest gear, so most torque at idle

 

The handbrake is not holding the car properly, get it checked, MK2 Focus never had a good handbrake IIRC

It's OK to leave a car in gear incase the handbrake cable fails, just remember to knock it out of gear before you start

Handbrake was definitely on, all the way up, as it was the first thing I checked. Also I’d been parked on a slight incline. So yeah, maybe has an issue though it passes MOT fine in November. 

3 minutes ago, tisonlyme said:

maybe has an issue though it passes MOT fine in November.

That was nearly 4 months ago now. Have a look on your MOT test report and I think you will find it was probably operating at a level near the minimum.

When you do apply the Handbrake you are not supposed to press the Button in when pulling it up, contrary to what your Driving Instructor probably told you to do.

I haven't read the Handbook for your particular model of car but I'm certain It will say the above.  

All the way up would also suggest it wasn't applying the brakes fully. The handle can run out of travel before the brakes are fully applied if it needs adjusting.

MOT pass on the handbrake only requires 16% effort.  Which is pretty useless tbh!  

25 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Reverse is the lowest gear, so most torque at idle

Depends on the gearbox.  I don't know the ratios for these but previous cars I've worked on have been between 1st & 2nd.

Durashift 5-speed (iB5) manual

5th 0.756
4th 0.951
3rd 1.281
2nd 1.926
1st 3.583
Reverse 3.620
Final Drive 4.250

Reverse is definitely the lowest

About 4.5 mph at 900rpm with those ratios.

 

I think the main thing everyone can take away is to never lean in and start the car, but to always be sat in the driver's seat ready to control the car if needed. (Not having a go at OP, just a life lesson).

At least with keyless start it forces you to do that.

11 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Durashift 5-speed (iB5) manual

5th 0.756
4th 0.951
3rd 1.281
2nd 1.926
1st 3.583
Reverse 3.620
Final Drive 4.250

Reverse is definitely the lowest

Only just!   But thanks for the IB5 ratios.  As I say, depends on the 'box, it's definitely not always lowest.

7 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

As I say, depends on the 'box, it's definitely not always lowest.

Correct, on my awful 6F15 auto my reverse is the same as 2nd gear!

Yes, definitely a life lesson and I won't do that again, that's for sure.

WiIll check my MOT report and see what it says about the handbrake.