Image Credit: aubreybeasleyy / TikTokWhen the "saxophones start getting louder," you're about to witness or put up with something unexpected. Something potentially life-changing. Or something as irritating as a car that refuses to work with you. A car that will only go backwards qualifies as the kind of thing that could ruin your day, we'd say, and through the magic of social media, you get to watch it all play out in front of you without the actual frustration of being there.A driver's white Nissan SUV got stuck in reverse, its hood facing oncoming traffic. And then it started slowly backing down the lane. Everyone around her had to figure out what was going on, and then someone had the bright idea to film the entire situation: her friend. They thought this was a saxophone situation, and friends, it certainly was."When my friend's car got stuck in reverse and the saxophones kept getting louder," they wrote over the clip. As the Nissan rolls backward in the clip, the saxes do indeed swell until they're worthy of a mental breakdown in a David Lynch movie. The footage is shot from another car, so you can see the Nissan the entire time. Seeing it moving the opposite way that it's pointed is quite trippy, and not something you want to see in real life especially if it's you.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe red light waits ahead and traffic flows around the Nissan as drivers slow or give the SUV room. Thankfully, no one gets hit in the clip, and no one was harmed after the incident. By the end of the video, the car does reach the shoulder, but we're left with fair questions. How does a car get stuck in reverse, and what should you do if it happens to you?How a Car Gets Stuck in ReverseIt usually comes down to the link between the gear lever and the transmission. In a alot of cars, a cable connects the shifter you move to the gearbox that actually changes gears. If that cable stretches, slips, or snaps at the wrong moment, the transmission can stay locked in whatever gear it was last in. Sometimes that's reverse, sometimes it's in between gears. Newer cars with electronic shifters can hit the same problem when a sensor or solenoid fails. But the result is the same.It's not a common failure, but it's far from impossible, and it can definitely happen to you. Things like worn cables, low or dirty transmission fluid, and aging shifter parts can make it more likely over time. What actually went wrong with this particular Nissan isn't clear, though. And it doesn't look like there was an update video to give us more details, so we're stuck without the tea.What to Do If Your Car Gets Stuck in GearSo what can you do if this happens to you? Don't panic. Even if your friend decides to film you. When a car is stuck in gear, your brakes and steering will still work. You can't change gears, but you can slow down, stop, and steer toward the edge of the road. Panicking is exactly what makes it dangerous. Just keep your cool, and you'll probably be okay.AdvertisementAdvertisementSo if it ever happens to you, the steps are simple. Turn on your hazard lights so everyone knows something's wrong. Ease toward the shoulder or a parking lot, brake to a stop, and shift to park if the car will let you. Then call a tow instead of trying to limp home in reverse.And if you play your cards right, you and your car will live to see another day...hopefully, sans saxophones.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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