The shift lever operates the manual transaxle via the control cable.
The shift lever is designed to prevent improper shifting to 1st gear and reverse.
A guide plate, attached to the shift lever assembly, prevents accidental shifting into reverse when shifting into 1st gear by restricting the movement of the shift lever.
When shifting into reverse, once the shift lever is pressed down and moved towards the reverse position.
The projection on the lever goes under the guide plate, releasing the reverse shift restriction and allowing for shifting into reverse.