Parking with car in gear vs. Handbrake

AWD Chaser · 13-08-2006, 10:08 AM

I grew up in the country and my dad taught me to park in Neutral with the HB on, except on a hill, or with a heavy trailer, and to then park in gear and with HB on.

But at work, here in Canberra, half the yahoos that drive the company cars park in gear on flat cement with an empty car... Why? Is there any benifit... or downside?

Abacus · 13-08-2006, 10:39 AM

I can't imagine why you wouldn't park it in gear.

Kryton · 13-08-2006, 10:44 AM

parking it in gear is like extra security that the car isnt going to roll into something else.
would you park an auto in neutral as well instead of park?

GCFordChic · 13-08-2006, 10:46 AM

I park in "P" with the handbrake on... :nutsycuck

From memory, when driving a manual i would only put it in gear if there was an incline. (But always with the handbrake on!! lol)

fat289 · 13-08-2006, 10:46 AM

You " NEVER " park a truck in gear !!!!!!!

Juzdin · 13-08-2006, 10:47 AM

I always park in gear with handbrake on. Thats how I got instructed when getting my license a few years ago and it has just stuck. Plus it does give added piece of mind. I have an old TX3 and don't trust the handbrake cable. Being old it could go at any time.

GCFordChic · 13-08-2006, 10:53 AM

But when i think about it, even in a dead flat carpark if some fool is speeding round acting like a tool and for some reason runs straight into the car, if it isnt in gear, the only thing holding the car is the handbrake....maybe in gear all the time is a good idea...

In hindsight, maybe it is a good thing for me (and everyone else!) that i only drove a manual for a few months.....ahhh gotta love the simplistic workings of an auto...

You Yangs · 13-08-2006, 10:59 AM

Are we talking manual or auto here because with my Taurus being a auto you can't park it in neutral because the key won't come out unless in park. If you are driving a manual always park in gear WITH the handbrake on and the wheels turned slightly to the gutter so if it does roll it ain't going far. My sisters moron boyfriend found out the the hard way after parking outside sisters place with just the handbrake on it failed sending his car on a 70 metre rampage across the street and down the hill brushing a parked car and water main and coming to rest on a sandstone wall!!

Ryan · 13-08-2006, 11:03 AM

I always park my VL 5 Speed in gear, with the handbrake on.

Rob · 13-08-2006, 11:05 AM

Interesting, my dad also taught me to always park in Neutral with the handbrake on, unless on an incline etc.

So used to it now... cars at work wont start unless they're in park, it annoys me.

Smoked · 13-08-2006, 11:08 AM

Most dealerships have the lot cars park in gear minus the hand brake.

Penelope Pitstop · 13-08-2006, 11:17 AM

I always park the SP in gear with the handbrake on no matter where it is.

Am pretty sure even 10+ years ago when I got my license that this was the done thing.

Psycho Chicken · 13-08-2006, 11:24 AM

Always park it in neutral. Comes from working with expensive cars. Never know what idiot is going to jump in and just turn it over without checking.

Hardtopxb · 13-08-2006, 11:26 AM

I park in gear with the handbrake on.If your handbrake fails for any reason, at least you have the added safety of your car bieng held in gear and visa versa...I would not leave a diesel car/truck in gear.If your handbrake fails and the vehicle starts to roll, in a dieslel vehicle it may start and take off..

Dezza · 13-08-2006, 11:29 AM

When I'm in a manual, I always park in gear. It's what my parents taught me to do, and I don't see any advantage in parking it in neutral.

gozza · 13-08-2006, 11:58 AM

i always park in gear with a manual depending on which way the slope is....even on flat ground just incase....

pertuan · 13-08-2006, 12:49 PM

I park with the HB on always
If its flat, then its in neutral.
On an incline, its in gear and wheels turned towards the gutter.

nb_351 · 13-08-2006, 12:51 PM

always leave in nuetral except on hills... when needed i leave it in gear... always reef the lever up tight, no too tight to sretch it though...
as stated you never know who will hop in and start it without checking... its peace of mind as i can just reach in and start the car, especially at work... rather than have o check... i always know its startable... the cars with inhibitor switches on ther clutch pedal are a pain in the ***...

XRated · 13-08-2006, 12:59 PM

Hmm interesting topic. I was never "taught" manual and I only leave it in neutral with the hand brake on. I guess I might park it in gear now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

Always park it in neutral. Comes from working with expensive cars. Never know what idiot is going to jump in and just turn it over without checking.

Rob, my ED won't let me start the car if it's in gear. I would've thought expensive cars would do the same? (Unless you mean "older" expensive?)

MITCHAY · 13-08-2006, 12:59 PM

Park in neutral with handbrake on, unless I'm on a hill then I will put it in gear.

Grechie · 13-08-2006, 01:03 PM

i just through it in gear if im parked somewere local n stuff, but if im on a mountain or angle, i will handbrake it

svo347 · 13-08-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardtopxb

I park in gear with the handbrake on.If your handbrake fails for any reason, at least you have the added safety of your car bieng held in gear and visa versa...I would not leave a diesel car/truck in gear.If your handbrake fails and the vehicle starts to roll, in a dieslel vehicle it may start and take off..

Not necessarily thats what fuel shut off solenoids are for. Mind you i have had an instance where the trucks battery was flat,dead flat, i unhooked the solenoid and had the truck push started , no dramas

WizBang · 13-08-2006, 01:58 PM

I always leave a car in gear or park with the handbrake on ,but as for trucks I leave these out of gear as it will start up if it rolls away from you but most truck I drive are fitted with air brakes

Cobra · 13-08-2006, 02:09 PM

With dodgy AU and BA handbrakes I've learned that if you want the car to not roll, leave it in gear or P depending on whether it's manual or auto. If both handbrake and gear/park is applied on a hill, I will apply the handbrake first, then put it in P if it's an auto or R in a manual.

If you leave an auto in park on a hill and don't use the handbrake, or apply the handbrake after putting it in park, it will roll back and rest on the park lock and make a huge clunk when you take it out of park. I can't imagine that good....

Psycho Chicken · 13-08-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRated

Rob, my ED won't let me start the car if it's in gear. I would've thought expensive cars would do the same? (Unless you mean "older" expensive?)

Yeah, older expensive. A lot of newer cars will start in gear too. Subarus will, mum's SP23 does.

RG · 13-08-2006, 03:00 PM

I always leave mine in gear. I have ever since my old VL decided to try to run away, I should've let it.

AC/DC · 13-08-2006, 03:04 PM

I cant remember, , ,better go and have a look....
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yep, , its in Park..... maybe thats why autos have a "park" gear....

AC/DC

macca_779 · 13-08-2006, 03:17 PM

I always leave mine in neutral so that when i start it in the morning to warm it up i dont have to get into the car.

Feathers · 13-08-2006, 03:25 PM

I learnt on a manual, so I was taught to park in gear and with the handbrake on.
The first thing I do when I go to start the car again is take it out of gear, or at least check first.

vztrt · 13-08-2006, 05:45 PM

Drive a manual and park it in either 1st or reverse with the handbrake on. Asif I'd trust a Ford handbrake on a BA!!!

View Poll Results: Parking In Neutral vs. In Gear
I park in Neutral	26	12.44%
I park in Gear	120	57.42%
I understand the difference between both and do what is needed	63	30.14%
Voters: 209. You may not vote on this poll