Manual Transmission Question about Reverse.?

I actually did this once. I was driving down the street and went to shift gears, stepped hard on the brake instead of the clutch, shifted into reverse while the wheels were locked up (brakes on hard) then I released the brake (just like a clutch) and stepped on the gas while going forward while actually in reverse. There was a lot of noise from the engine and the tires and I came to a stop right there. Very exciting, but surprisingly no obvious damage. (50 years ago, never told my dad)

Most modern transmissions do have safety factors to minimise the chances of shifting into reverse by accident. Some have an extra spring so you really have to try to get reverse. Some have an extra little lever for you to pull on to go into reverse. Old VWs , you had to puch down on the whole stick.

I do not know about the 2013 Corolla, but If you just sit in the car with the engine off, you can shift through the gears and find out. I do not think you would ever actually shift into reverse instead of 4th, but you could rub the gears against each other pretty hard. There would be noise and you would not 'accidently' shift into reverse. Transmissions seem to be tretty tough, but it is good to be careful.

Practicing the best thing to do. Shift the 5th to N, shift little bit to the left side or just leave it alone, pull back to the 4rth. In my experience, I rarely shift from 5 into 4 in fast because not much power obtained by 4rth gear, instead I shift it calmly, so no need any safety switch. I shift to 3rd or even 2nd in fast in case I need power.