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No handbrakes, how to make car stand still?

  • 05-06-2012 05:31PM
    #1
    arleitiss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,512 ✭✭✭


    Hey, got no handbrakes until thursday (the cable has nearly snapped) and so far I hve parked it in parking lot on my spot and got:

    in 1st gear.
    Rock in front of front-right wheel, and big wooden sticks in back of car on back-left wheel.
    Anything else to make sure it doesn't roll just in case?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    kildare.17hmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    Just leave it in gear and it'll be fine


  • #3
    L-M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,536 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    A friend wrote of his Mondeo by leaving it in 4th with the handbrake off :eek:


  • #4
    CianRyan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,730 ✭✭✭✭CianRyan


    Brick on the foot brake?
    Couldn't be great for it though.

    More stuff under the wheels, both sides.


  • #5
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Limerick man wrote: »
    A friend wrote of his Mondeo by leaving it in 4th with the handbrake off :eek:

    What was the reason to put it in 4th? 1st, or reverse, never heard of anyone having different idea...

    Going back to OP - 1st gear is enough, you don't park at the top of the hill, do you?
    If there is a kerb, it is good to turn your wheels towards it, just in case...

    Still amazed you can write off your car when it is parked...


  • #6
    L-M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,536 ✭✭✭✭L-M


    wonski wrote: »
    What was the reason to put it in 4th? 1st, or reverse, never heard of anyone having different idea...

    Going back to OP - 1st gear is enough, you don't park at the top of the hill, do you?
    If there is a kerb, it is good to turn your wheels towards it, just in case...

    Still amazed you can write off your car when it is parked...

    Not sure, he was under the illusion that the higher the better, we all get it wrong from time to time! it rolled down a hill and into a pole.


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  • #7
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Limerick man wrote: »
    Not sure, he was under the illusion that the higher the better, we all get it wrong from time to time! it rolled down a hill and into a pole.

    Simple mistake, things can go wrong. Fortunately it was just a pole, not another car, or person...
    Remember a movie on you tube where the guy left the car rolling down to open the gate (underground car park), and didn't make it...
    Funny, but at the end you wonder how many crazy people like that are out there...ot anyway, but wonder how many accidents were caused by cars rolling down without driver?


  • #8
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,554 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Give it a good talking to. No if's, but's or maybes,explain in clear language what will happen if it's not there in the morning. Should do the trick


  • #9
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,306 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    Brick behind/in front of the back wheel depending on the direction


  • #10
    Morlar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    BX 19 wrote: »
    Brick behind/in front of the back wheel depending on the direction

    The thing about that is depending on where you park it you will be alerting every little passing scrote that the car has no handbraket.

    I'd say park with the front wheel angled against the kerb & leave it in first.


  • #11
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,306 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    Put it in gear too. I can't see that moving too quick


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  • #12
    arleitiss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,512 ✭✭✭arleitiss


    Well I have a metal security pole locking as well, so if it rolls it will either hit small metal pole and probably bend bit of bumper, or hit concrete wall with back.


  • #13
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    arleitiss wrote: »
    Well I have a metal security pole locking as well, so if it rolls it will either hit small metal pole and probably bend bit of bumper, or hit concrete wall with back.

    In this case - nothing to worry about. Just leave it in first gear, and it should be ok. Try to push it up/down the wall - you will see there is no chance your car will go for it, unless it slipped out of gear, but that is unusual really...


  • #14
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    In this case - nothing to worry about. Just leave it in first gear, and it should be ok. Try to push it up/down the wall - you will see there is no chance your car will go for it, unless it slipped out of gear, but that is unusual really...

    The reason why it will slip gear depends on the hill and weight of the car.

    The steeper your car is the more of a chance for a gear to slip.

    All you can do is if you leave the car on uphill use reverse, if you leave it downhill use 1st gear, but there is a limit, if it is too steep it will slip gear and you will find your car on the other side of the road.


  • #15
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    The reason why it will slip gear depends on the hill and weight of the car.

    The steeper your car is the more of a chance for a gear to slip.

    All you can do is if you leave the car on uphill use reverse, if you leave it downhill use 1st gear, but there is a limit, if it is too steep it will slip gear and you will find your car on the other side of the road.

    Hope someone explains it properly to me...
    I always tought the gearing itself was vital to stop the car from rolling down (since the 1st/reverse), and not the actual gear in the car. I am not saying Bohrio is wrong, but i can't see a logic in there. Well - we learn new things all the time...

    What gear to apply on flat then???


  • #16
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    Hope someone explains it properly to me...
    I always tought the gearing itself was vital to stop the car from rolling down (since the 1st/reverse), and not the actual gear in the car. I am not saying Bohrio is wrong, but i can't see a logic in there. Well - we learn new things all the time...

    What gear to apply on flat then???

    Flat it doesnt matter, reversed is always better as is a "stronger" gear.

    Try it yourself. Put your car on a steep hill and try different gears, the higher you go the easier it will be for the car to slip gears...


  • #17
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Flat it doesnt matter, reversed is always better as is a "stronger" gear.

    Try it yourself. Put your car on a steep hill and try different gears, the higher you go the easier it will be for the car to slip gears...

    I think my 1st one is much stronger than reverse. Waiting for more replies...

    Does it matter then if it is uphill/downhill really - as this was my original question?


  • #18
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    I think my 1st one is much stronger than reverse. Waiting for more replies...

    Does it matter then if it is uphill/downhill really - as this was my original question?

    It does, at least when I do it. If your car is facing down, and you put 1/2/3/4th etc the gear is meant to go in that direction (forward) so it easier for it to jump, so reversed (designed to go backwards) will be a better option. Same thing regarding the car facing up.

    This is what I have always done and I have been driving for 20 years now. I have an idea of why this is like this but I am no mechanic so I can't tell you the exact reason behind it.


  • #19
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    It does, at least when I do it. If your car is facing down, and you put 1/2/3/4th etc the gear is meant to go in that direction (forward) so it easier for it to jump, so reversed (designed to go backwards) will be a better option. Same thing regarding the car facing up.

    This is what I have always done and I have been driving for 20 years now. I have an idea of why this is like this but I am no mechanic so I can't tell you the exact reason behind it.


    My understanding is - as you said - the higher you go, the easier it is to slip out of gear. My idea is tough, that if your clutch/gearbox is working - as it should work - there is no way the gravity will beat your/mine/other people gearbox.... 1st gear is all you need, if someone tries really hard - he will push it, but since the OP has a wall and the pole - he is safe to use gear he has (the 1st one i mean)...


  • #20
    crosstownk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    If you're parked downhill, put it in reverse with the front wheels turned into the kerb.

    If you're parked uphill, put it in first gear with the front wheels turned away from the kerb.

    The higher the gear ratio the harder it is for the wheels to turn the engine. If it does roll the kerb will act as a chock.
    Untitled Image




  • #21
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,041 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    When I park my car on level surface, I always leave it only on gear without handbrake on.
    I use handbrake for parking only when parking on hills.


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  • #22
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    My understanding is - as you said - the higher you go, the easier it is to slip out of gear. My idea is tough, that if your clutch/gearbox is working - as it should work - there is no way the gravity will beat your/mine/other people gearbox.... 1st gear is all you need, if someone tries really hard - he will push it, but since the OP has a wall and the pole - he is safe to use gear he has (the 1st one i mean)...

    All i know is that it has to do with gear ratios (like it has already been said)

    Higher the better. Reverse gear normally has the highest ratio

    for ex..

    Gear Ratio
    1st gear 2.97:1
    2nd gear 2.07:1
    3rd gear 1.43:1
    4th gear 1.00:1
    5th gear 0.84:1
    6th gear 0.56:1
    reverse 3.38:1

    CiniO, i wouldnt relay only on my gear to prevent the car from braking> its not unusual for a car, if pushed to slip into neutral.


  • #23
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    CiniO wrote: »
    When I park my car on level surface, I always leave it only on gear without handbrake on.
    I use handbrake for parking only when parking on hills.

    Also... cars are normally fwd so it would be easier to toll away by a truck


  • #24
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    It does, at least when I do it. If your car is facing down, and you put 1/2/3/4th etc the gear is meant to go in that direction (forward) so it easier for it to jump, so reversed (designed to go backwards) will be a better option. Same thing regarding the car facing up.

    This is what I have always done and I have been driving for 20 years now. I have an idea of why this is like this but I am no mechanic so I can't tell you the exact reason behind it.

    Sooooo you have an idea, but you can't tell me the reason behind it???
    Honestly - you either know what you are talking about, or not!

    And please dont quote some gearing ratios to back up your story, because i was the one to bring it up, and i was the one to ask questions!

    I try not to be rude but you either know what you are talking about, or not.


  • #25
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    Also... cars are normally fwd so it would be easier to toll away by a truck

    Surely, an advantage...To (toll) tow away...
    What is the best way to have a clamp on your wheels? Keep it straight?

    What about rear wheel drive cars, and - before you ask - there are loads on our roads???


  • #26
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,730 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    i have a niggle at the back of my head saying dont leave a diesel in gear with no handbrake as in rare circumstances it could bump start itself with a nudge (might have dreamt that...)


  • #27
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    Sooooo you have an idea, but you can't tell me the reason behind it???
    Honestly - you either know what you are talking about, or not!

    And please dont quote some gearing ratios to back up your story, because i was the one to bring it up, and i was the one to ask questions!

    I try not to be rude but you either know what you are talking about, or not.

    I said it all based on my experience as a driver. I can't tell you exactly why this is happening, I am no mechanic nor have a phd in physics.

    Why are you so grumpy now?

    Weird. Just try it then, wont bother replying anymore, it obvious you didnt like my answer, whats your theory?


  • #28
    crosstownk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    corktina wrote: »
    i have a niggle at the back of my head saying dont leave a diesel in gear with no handbrake as in rare circumstances it could bump start itself with a nudge (might have dreamt that...)

    Unlikely in a modern diesel that needs an ECU to be switched on.
    Untitled Image




  • #29
    Bohrio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,752 ✭✭✭Bohrio


    wonski wrote: »
    Surely, an advantage...To (toll) tow away...
    What is the best way to have a clamp on your wheels? Keep it straight?

    What about rear wheel drive cars, and - before you ask - there are loads on our roads???

    Ah now I see, it is jsut a personal attack then, its alright, not sure why though but its fine.

    Thieves wont normally clamp your car btw. I was referring to the car being stolen, not clamped.

    Cars are normally fwd, that's why I said "if your car is fwd"

    Can't say how many cars are fwd and how many rwd, and how many awd, there was a post sometime ago where the same question came up

    link

    Leaving now, sure it will make you happy, I am too old for this.

    Oh and before you say it, yes, some cars, very few lock their front wheels instead of the rear wheels when the handbreak is actioned. I believe the Citroen CX was one of them but I am not 100% sure, just saying in case you mention it.


  • #30
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,041 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    Bohrio wrote: »

    CiniO, i wouldnt relay only on my gear to prevent the car from braking> its not unusual for a car, if pushed to slip into neutral.
    Bohrio wrote: »
    Also... cars are normally fwd so it would be easier to toll away by a truck

    1. Why would anyone try to push my car?
    2. It never happened to me that car slipped into neutral.
    3. I don't think any truck was trying to tow away my car.

    I was thought not to pull my handbrake unless neccesery by my driving instructor years ago. In winter conditions, you might have serious problems with moving your car, if engaged handbrake freeze. Once it's not really relevant for me since I live in Ireland (no winter conditions) but I still don't see a point in pulling handbrake if car is parked on even surface.

    What I usually do is leave a car on first or reverse, if parked on even surface. If it's parked on hill facing down, then I always put reverse and pull handbrake (unless it's winter conditions, then it's always a matter to choose less harmful option). If it's parked on hill facing up, then I always leave it on first and pull handbrake (unless winter conditions).


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  • #31
    wonski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,679 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Bohrio wrote: »
    I said it all based on my experience as a driver. I can't tell you exactly why this is happening, I am no mechanic nor have a phd in physics.

    Why are you so grumpy now?

    Weird. Just try it then, wont bother replying anymore, it obvious you didnt like my answer, whats your theory?

    So, to end it up, and i am a gentleman!

    If your car rolled down the hill - that is an experience.
    If your car didn't - that is a luck/experience.

    You just didn't give me a reason to believe what you said.
    Mentioning 20 years on the roads means nothing to me, as we are talking about car parked up with no parking brake. Simple as that.

    Tried to push few cars in the past with 1st gear engaged, and it didn't work. Only saying that the fact that you parked your car for 20 years without an incident, doesn't mean i can't park one now without problems, even if my license is 2 years old...

    Cheer up, grumpy, complaints, moaning etc - i hate them too!


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