Question for shifters

[snowsedan04]

When parking the car on a flat surface (overnight in the garage, for instance), do you keep the car in gear or just use the parking break?

 

[epj3]

When parking the car on a flat surface (overnight in the garage, for instance), do you keep the car in gear or just use the parking break?

When I come to a stop, I always pull the ebrake, put it in reverse, then turn the engine off and let go of the clutch.

You should ALWAYS put it in gear when you park!! The engine's compression will ALWAYS keep your car from moving on a hill. Your Ebrake wont. I believe your usermanual will tell you the exact same thing.

 

[Fabp_330Ci]

I agree with with epj3, I always leave my car in gear, but I usually leave it in first gear instead of reverse.

 

[snowsedan04]

I have been leaving my car in first when it's in the garage, but it seems so much more relaxed when in neutral that I have lately been using only the emergency brake. Of course, when parked on the street it's always in gear for safety's sake.

It's 60 degrees and sunny in NY. Looks like the sunroof is ready to roll!

 

[Dinan55]

I usually put it in reverse along with the emergency brake no matter what, it's habit.

 

[bmwrocks]

I always left my manuals in N with the ebrake engaged in the garage. Only time I left it in gear when stopped was when I was parking on any kind of hill (very rare in my neck of the woods).

 

[epj3]

I have been leaving my car in first when it's in the garage, but it seems so much more relaxed when in neutral that I have lately been using only the emergency brake. Of course, when parked on the street it's always in gear for safety's sake.

It's 60 degrees and sunny in NY. Looks like the sunroof is ready to roll!

It's so nice down here in PA too.. I even opened my back windows (it's a 2 door so the backs just pop out a little)!!!

 

[Fielding Yost]

If I'm level or uphill, I keep it in 1st. On the rare occasion that I'm parked downhill, I leave it in reverse. However, I don't use my ebrake when parked. Is there some reason that I should be? Is it just an added level of protection?

 

[R3LzX]

I always had the superstition that it is bad to use the gears to "hold" the vehicle, as it is straining or putting unnecessary pressure on the gears to hold the car.. I always use the ebrankno matter what.. just a superstition though

 

[epj3]

I always had the superstition that it is bad to use the gears to "hold" the vehicle, as it is straining or putting unnecessary pressure on the gears to hold the car.. I always use the ebrankno matter what.. just a superstition though

Um... your gears were designed for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First gear/reverse is designed for high torque. When you accelerate or go up a hill using the engines' power... you put much more stress on the gears than when the cars sitting with no momentum.

Dont worry about the 'unnecessary presure'... if they cant hold the car on a hill, then theres no way they could make the car accelerate.

 

[Average Jae]

when parked on a flat surface, just the ebrake, when on a hill, 1st or rev depending on the slope.. but mostly i just ebrake.

 

[Kate]

i generally leave mine in neutral, just because i am afraid i would forget it was in gear and thats no good!! but, there are very few hills here to worry about. but if it was hilly i would go and leave it in a gear to be safe. better safe than sorry. just dont forget you put it in gear!!!

 

[nadroj]

i used to not put mine in gear when i parked but one time i didnt pull my handbrake up all the way on a hill and i got out and started walking away and my car started rolling the other way and i ran fast, now i always leave it in gear no matter what

 

[MrElussive]

For me, it depends. In my garage, I leave it in neutral and pull up the E-brake. When I'm only parking for a short time, I do the same. For the two nights a week that I have to park my car outside in college, I ONLY put it in 1st. My god damn e-brake keeps freezing on this car, it's so annoying !! As soon as it gets nice and warm, I will just leave it in neutral and use the E-brake, unless I'm on a hill (rare for me).
By the way, legally you are supposed to put it in 1st or reverse. Any way you park your car is fine...as long as you're comfortable leaving it the way you parked it and you feel like it's safe.