[StringerBell]

Hi,
I am a disabled person (quadriplegic) looking to get back behind the wheel. Used to drive before my injury and I've really missed it for 11 years now. Guess the lockdown has made me realize I should try and get back to it.

I have a 2007 Wagon R AX with AT gearbox. Will be getting hand controls installed from an RTO approved vendor. My question is more in terms of the gear stick. In AT, there's a button on the right side of the stick, which needs to be pressed before moving it up or down (look at attached pic). Since I have no functions in my finger, it will difficult for me to press it. I was wondering if I can have someone press the button and wrap it around in cello-tape, so it's always pressed. If the button is pressed, I can easily shift the gear up and down using my wrists.

1. Will it cause any damage to the gearbox, if the button is always pressed?
2. Is the button only for locking the gear stick in one position, or does it affect the inner workings of gearbox as well?

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by StringerBell

Hi,
I am a disabled person (quadriplegic) looking to get back behind the wheel. Used to drive before my injury and I've really missed it for 11 years now. Guess the lockdown has made me realize I should try and get back to it.

I have a 2007 Wagon R AX with AT gearbox. Will be getting hand controls installed from an RTO approved vendor. My question is more in terms of the gear stick. In AT, there's a button on the right side of the stick, which needs to be pressed before moving it up or down (look at attached pic). Since I have no functions in my finger, it will difficult for me to press it. I was wondering if I can have someone press the button and wrap it around in cello-tape, so it's always pressed. If the button is pressed, I can easily shift the gear up and down using my wrists.

1. Will it cause any damage to the gearbox, if the button is always pressed?
2. Is the button only for locking the gear stick in one position, or does it affect the inner workings of gearbox as well?

Attachment 2039554

I understand your situation and I appreciate that you want to get behind the wheel Thats freedom!

To answer your question:

1. The button acts on a lock which functions at the base of the shifter column. It is not acting on the autotransmission and will not cause any damage to the gearbox.
   
2. Yes the button is for locking the shifter only. No connection with the gearbox.
   

Few other points:

1. If you disable the button you have to be extremely extremely careful, because in a non-gated shifter like the Wagon R's the button is the only thing that prevents an accidental shift to Reverse or Park while the vehicle is in motion. If Reverse or Park is engaged while the vehicle is moving forward it will damage the gearbox. It is dangerous in that any accidental shift can cause accidents as well.
   
2. I assume from your post that you cannot move the finger but can move the arm to operate an automatic shifter. In that case, is there any other vehicle which you can consider that has a "gated" shifter. In a gated shifter you do not have to press a button to move between positions only have to knock it left or right as you move up or down.
   
   
3. Though I do not usually like or recommend an AMT transmission I am recommending it because it does not have a button to press to shift and functions like a gated automatic shifter. In Celerio, Alto and Wagon R. Can you consider any of these instead? It is safer than disabling the shift lock button.
   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOF3tfWtbvE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeqcqvaOvC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSvjXxdpzMA

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by StringerBell

I was wondering if I can have someone press the button and wrap it around in cello-tape, so it's always pressed. If the button is pressed, I can easily shift the gear up and down using my wrists

Completely agree with Sankar. AMT is the best solution. If height is a factor too get the Latest WagonR with AMT. Not only does the AMT comes without any buttons, but it takes less effort to switch the stick between modes especially the one on the Maruti Suzuki. I have two automatics at home and one being an Alto AMT. From that experience I can tell you this. Many times I just change the modes with just a finger.

However, if cost is a concern and you're not in a position to buy a car now, do let me know where you stay in Bengaluru. I Would want to help you find a better solution than just a cello tape fix for which I'd need the exact shape of the shifter

[androdev]

First, I wish you good luck in finding a suitable solution. I can think of few solutions to make your current Wagon R AT shifter work for you.

Do not eliminate the gear-lock button as it is a safety issue. With minor fabrication effort, an extra contraption can be attached to the push button so you can easily replace "press > hold > shift > release" mechanism with different ergonomic mechanisms that do no involve hold action such as "press > shift > press".


Think of that door knob button you push to lock and push again to unlock - there is no HOLD action here. This is only to illustrate the basic mechanism where PUSH action is used both to lock and unlock. The actual shape and size of the button is up to you. You can also have lever mechanism that you can flick to lock and flick again to unlock.

I am guessing budget would be an issue but just for the record, Mercedes column mounted gear shift lever can work out of the box in this scenario.

[RedTerrano]

First of all, I tip my hat to you for your never give up spirit! You Sir, are an inspiration to numerous people.

Originally Posted by StringerBell

Since I have no functions in my finger, it will difficult for me to press it. I was wondering if I can have someone press the button and wrap it around in cello-tape, so it's always pressed. If the button is pressed, I can easily shift the gear up and down using my wrists.

Just thinking out loud here: Since you have no functionality in your fingers but you can steer, I am presuming you have functionality in your hands. In that case perhaps a modification for the button mechanism might help. A lever kind of protrusion which you can press with your hand, which in turn will press the button? That way the safety aspect is not affected, and you can operate it on your own?

Something like this.

Again, I am just thinking out loud here. There might be legal and other aspects to consider for this.

[StringerBell]

Originally Posted by Sankar

Though I do not usually like or recommend an AMT transmission I am recommending it because it does not have a button to press to shift and functions like a gated automatic shifter. In Celerio, Alto and Wagon R. Can you consider any of these instead? It is safer than disabling the shift lock button.

Thanks for the reply, Sankar. It helps to know that the button is only to prevent accidental shifts. Unfortunately, it will not be economically viable for me to get a new vehicle right now, since I already have a Wagon R AX (barely used)

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

However, if cost is a concern and you're not in a position to buy a car now, do let me know where you stay in Bengaluru. I Would want to help you find a better solution than just a cello tape fix for which I'd need the exact shape of the shifter

Thank you, Hemant, that's really wonderful. I am put up near Marathahalli (Doddanekundi). I'm still in the early stages of the whole exercise. Have to get the hand controls installed as well (identified 2 garages for it)

Originally Posted by androdev

With minor fabrication effort, an extra contraption can be attached to the push button so you can easily replace "press > hold > shift > release" mechanism with different ergonomic mechanisms that do no involve hold action such as "press > shift > press".

I will talk about this with the garage person who will be installing the hand-controls.

Originally Posted by RedTerrano

First of all, I tip my hat to you for your never give up spirit! You Sir, are an inspiration to numerous people.
Just thinking out loud here: Since you have no functionality in your fingers but you can steer, I am presuming you have functionality in your hands. In that case perhaps a modification for the button mechanism might help. A lever kind of protrusion which you can press with your hand, which in turn will press the button? That way the safety aspect is not affected, and you can operate it on your own?
Something like this.
Attachment 2040283

I've been wanting to get back to driving since forever, but never really acted on it because of financial and other health concerns. Timing feels sort of right now. You are right about my hand and fingers. I can operate stuff as long as it doesn't require precision work involving fingers. That lever you posted might be exactly what I need. I can operate it easily.

[Living2Drive]

If you get hold of some one who is good in Arduino programming you can get this controlled with a soft switch and a stepper motor. All you need is to press the button for two or three seconds and release. with in the time you can slot it in the required position.

OR,
A simple starter motor solenoid and a glow plug delay timer can also be used to operate this button.

If you cannot find a technician to help you, feel free to let know, i'll be happy to do it for you.

[anks_at]

Originally Posted by StringerBell

Hi,
In AT, there's a button on the right side of the stick, which needs to be pressed before moving it up or down (look at attached pic). Since I have no functions in my finger, it will difficult for me to press it. I was wondering if I can have someone press the button and wrap it around in cello-tape, so it's always pressed.
Attachment 2039554

Hi there, I have a similar disability due to an accident (but only in my left arm, hand & fingers). I usually just use my right hand to shift the lever which is safer & quicker for me. Looks odd & scary to some, but works well. The gear lever anyway doesn't need to be moved much unless you opt to reverse or park. But I tried a lot of things to get to the perfect technique that works for me. Now been doing it for over 23 years & in multiple countries, without any issues. Even passed driving tests outside, so it is not unsafe if done properly.

Before you go for any solutions that involve technology, could you try pressing the button on the right by keeping both your wrists on both sides of the lever, pressing it by your right hand wrist (not your fingers) & then moving the lever up or down if that provides enough grip in your case. Maybe that would work for you considering once you put your car in D, you can just keep the brake pressed until you decide to park the car. That might perhaps be safer than taping the button permanently (or might not be if you don't get enough grip/control). This anyway has to be only done when the car is stationary, so having both hands away from the steering is not the biggest concern.

Also I am not sure for the Wagon R, but in many cars that I have driven, D to N & N to D is usually without that button needing to be pressed. It only comes into the picture when going to R or P or those other positions like L, 2 etc. If that is the case in Wagon R too, then you have to do this only at the start/end of a drive & when parking, which would not be stressful or unsafe, if you can get enough grip (on the road it becomes more unsafe & stressful if you need to do it quickly during regular driving, because you have to shift your eyes & hands away to the gear lever). I did try this one out too, when I was initially "relearning" to drive the car - worked for me but was slower.

Kudos to you to think of coming back on the road. It can absolutely be done & there is no reason to stop yourself anymore due to your condition