R Position

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Acura TSX, 2007 Acura TSX, 2006 Acura TSX, 2005 Acura TSX, and 2004 Acura TSX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Hydraulic pressure is applied to the servo valve to engage the reverse selector with the countershaft reverse gear and the reverse selector hub while the shift lever is in R.
Hydraulic pressure is also applied to the 4th clutch, then the 4th clutch engages the mainshaft reverse gear with the mainshaft.
The mainshaft reverse gear drives the countershaft reverse gear via the reverse idler gear.
The rotational direction of the countershaft reverse gear is changed by the reverse idler gear.
The countershaft reverse gear drives the countershaft via the reverse selector, which drives the reverse selector hub.
Power is transmitted to the final drive gear, which in turn drives the final driven gear.

Fig 1: R Position Power Flow Diagram
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.