Leaving car in gear

gam3r

gam3r

gam3r

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Why do some people leave their car in 1st gear when parked sometimes? I thought that was bad to do?

Anyone clear this up? ;)
 
I only park mine in gear when im parking on a steep hill ... wouldnt want the handbrake to fail and for it to go for a ride all by itself.
 
If a car is left in gear, its generally because the hand brake isnt very good and so keeps it from rolling.

I hardly ever leave mine in gear, just on rare occasions when im parked on a very steep hill.
 
Bare in mind it's quite easy for a couple of blokes to push a car when the handbrake is on, it's also quite easy for a couple of drunk jokers to push your car out into the road too. When it's left in 1st they won't be able to.
 
Jonny69 said:
Bare in mind it's quite easy for a couple of blokes to push a car when the handbrake is on, it's also quite easy for a couple of drunk jokers to push your car out into the road too. When it's left in 1st they won't be able to.
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Or they will, but in doing so, will damage the car. I left my old fiesta in gear once at college, came back to find the car had been moved out of the marked space and left in the middle of the 'road' part of the car park.

A bit narked, I got in and drove off. On the way out of the college car park however, when accelerating away from the zebra crossing and changing into 2nd gear, the driveshaft snapped, and left me needing a tow truck.

I was less than amused! :mad:
 
They pushed the car while it was in gear..............

fiesta you say... <notes down to stay away>
 
gam3r said:
Why do some people leave their car in 1st gear when parked sometimes? I thought that was bad to do?

Anyone clear this up? ;)
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I have always left my car in 1st, with the handbrake on.

Why would this be bad?

Only thing I can think of (I'm no mechanic) is that someone else might get into your car and try to start it without checking it was in neutral.
 
I always leave mine in gear, regardless of where it is. Even on modern cars it's worth doing too - leaving your handbrake on (if it operates on the disc) when you've been out for a hard run will cause the disc to warp at the point where the pads grip it as heat soak gets to it.
 
Always leave mine in gear if on anything other than a totally flat surface.

The only problem with it is remembering it's in gear before starting it again but I always waggle the stick to make sure it's in neutral and depress the clutch before starting, don't even think about this anymore, I just do both things automatically.
 
Mine is always left in gear.

If for nothing else, VW will not allow u to claim damages if your handbrake fails unless your car is in gear - in which case there will be no damages to claim :D

P.S. Don't believe me, check your car manual.
 
Poppy said:
I only park mine in gear when im parking on a steep hill ... wouldnt want the handbrake to fail and for it to go for a ride all by itself.
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it's better for the car and just as safe to put the steering on full lock so the tyre touches the kerb preventing the car from rolling away.
 
Never used to leave any car in gear until I got the Mini. Now I do.

A friend of mine only leaves her car in gear - doesnt bother using the handbrake, which I found a bit odd.
 
AS_Platinum said:
I always leave my car in 3rd gear, find it still rolls in 1st if i leave the handbrake off.
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that's physically impossible.
to illustrate try bump starting a car in 3rd then again in first and see which makes it easier to overcome lack of combustion.
if it rolls in first it'll roll in every other subsequent gear more easily.
 
Hi, could somebody explain to me how leaving a car in gear will prevent it from moving, where as leaving it in neutral won't? :o
 
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