Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

i don't get it. why is it so hard to put your car in gear as insurance? would it be THAT difficult to take the extra second to put the car in gear before you get out of the car? jeez.

ken-x8

It's not laziness, just belief and procedure. On MT cars I've always used the parking brake for parking. If there was a park position (like there is on ATs) I'd use that.

Never had a parked car get away from me. But I have had some interesting moments getting into a car that was already in gear.

I also start the car before buckling my seat belt.

Ken

zenmoused

I believe the interlock was mandated as a safety for those people who would start a MT car without depressing the clutch. Nobody is saying not to use the emergency brake in conjunction with putting the car in gear- both things should be done every time you park the car.

If your 8 floods, in that special situation, I'm sure that you could make the call as to the best thing to do. However, most of us don't have that happen on a daily basis.

I don't like to get into arguments over silly things, but this "what-if" old-school propaganda that you're saying is reminescent of those people who don't buckle their seatbelt, because if they wrecked their car, they'd be trapped. Yeah, maybe in some weird scenario your method could in fact work better. However, in the day to day reality, the method that's mandated by Washington pinheads (and every car manufacturer in the world) is the safest, most efficient way of parking your car.

Sorry, but you're wrong.

ken-x8

Yes - that definitely has to be the reason. Not a problem if the car is in neutral, but a hazard if it's in gear.

I see the owner's manual says to put it in 1 or R when parked. First car I've had where the manual said that. Also the first I've had with an interlock. I'll have to give the new way a try.

Ken

zoom44

what was your previous car? or i should ask "your previous MT car?".

ken-x8

1987 Honda Accord.

I still have it - it's been demoted to winter beater status.

Before that (going backwards) there was a 1980 VW Rabbit, a 1971 BMW 2002, a 1953 Chevy, and a 1958 Alfa Romeo. Couple of AT beaters in between.

The clutch interlock is a bit of a pain when changing oil. I always step on the clutch when I'm sitting in the car about to drive, but for that first leak-check start after an OC I'd rather not get in.

Ken

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

but u gotta keep one thing in mind, the *Parking brake* is a wired device, you have to pull it to use it. and theres a VERY high chances that some people might NOT apply enough forces to it. It might hold for a short time, but after a while its going to slide, and the sliding force adds up, meaning its going to slide faster and faster. until it hits something (or flat enough places so it would stop)

There you go. Put it in 1st, problems resolved.

ken-x8

Yikes! Just when the other folks (as well as the instructions in the owner's manual) convinced me that putting it in gear is the right thing to do, you're saying that it's really one of those least common denominator rules? So as long as I think I'm smarter and more competent...?

Actually, I did see the light on the parking brake, and the thread has drifted toward the clutch interlock. As I recall from other posts, you change your oil pretty often. How do you deal with the clutch interlock when you need to start the car for the traditional post-change leak test, but you're still wearing your dirty clothes? I've only done one change thus far in my 8, and I did kind of an off-balance acrobatic maneuver that I was not at all comfortable with.

Ken

86rx7

I've never seen an owners manuel that didn't say this,...

I usually just leave my car in gear unless i'm on a hill then I leave it in gear and set the brake, in nuetral the car is free to roll.

86rx7

Also think of it this way, when you set the parking brake, the brakes are HOT from driving, as the brakes cool off, they shrink, so the parking brake is now much looser then when you set it. This combined with dew on the rotrs = ownage.

zoom44

yes- and thats why when you set the hand brake you should first fully depress and hold the foot brake pedal. itll take a stronger hold and will have a lesser chance of slipping when the brakes cool.

Celronx

iTrader: (1)

This just happened to me last night.

My car was in my garage, very very slight incline, locked and all. About 30 minutes after I get home, my dog goes nuts and I look outside. My car is in the middle of the street with my neighbors standing around it. Well my car had rolled down my driveway which is a steep incline 10' down over about 25' or so(It's steep enough that I have to pull in sideways to keep from scraping with my S-Techs) and hit my neighbors Ford Explorer. My car hit their towing package and totally distroyed my rear passenger side bumber, light, fender, trunk, and spoiler. It's trashed. The Explorer only has some scratches on the bumper since I hit their tow bar. I've never seen a car roll like that and I've always used just the parking brake unless I park on a hill where the incline is to steep for the brake or tranny to hold seperately. Needless to say this will be an expensive lesson.

Oh, and it's Silver.

USE 1ST GEAR TO HOLD IT!!!

Cel

early 30's crisis

Forgive me if this was mentioned already, I'm still stunned reading what happened...

I see its been mentioned that 'it takes 2 seconds to move it into gear' etc etc.. and 'several' insist neutral is fine..

How did you get in your driveways/garages/parking spots what have you? In neutral? You were in gear, you took it out!

Dude, I'm sorry about your bumper.. please be grateful there were no pedestrians in the wake of your driverless 8 while it was silently coasting backwards...

shaunv74

Wow. bummer. Count yourself lucky at least no one was hurt. definitely a good example for everyone out there. The curse claims another one...