What gear when parked?

bambera

I was just reading up on the rules of the road pdf.

In the section on parking (page 112) it says to leave the car in first gear or reverse.

I've always put it into neutral and have never been told to do otherwise. Am I wrong?

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Brando_ie

Actually saw that happen once and the car silently headed off down the hill bumped the kerb a few times, nearly smacked a lad from behind and then smashed into a post to the front of a DIY store at the time and made funking bits of the front of the car (IIRC new merc / bmw).

Was really weird to see it happening from just behind and not be able to do anything about it in the least. It was quite close to hopping the path and smashing through the DIY store window but for the posts out front, which would have made for an even more fruity smash.

I would have loved to been around when the owner arrived back... it would have been a true WTF moment!!! :eek:

dudara

It's good practice to put the car in gear once the car is parked, handbrake engaged and ignition off.

My mother is terrible with remembering handbrakes and we've had several runaway car incidents over the years.

thebiglad

bambera wrote: »

I was just reading up on the rules of the road pdf.

In the section on parking (page 112) it says to leave the car in first gear or reverse.

I've always put it into neutral and have never been told to do otherwise. Am I wrong?

It's not 'wrong' but good idea to put car in any gear which will stop it moving should the handbrake fail or, you have not pulled it on tight enough.

Also turn the wheels in towards the kerb for a bit more assurance.

If parked on a flat road, makes little difference but a good habit to be in.

Obviously the next good habit it so start the car with the clutch in or ensure you check for neutral;)

Alanstrainor

As well as all the advice above. Always start the car with the gearbox in neutral and your foot on the clutch. I've seen far too many people start a car only to have it fly forward because they forgot to take the car out of gear and/or put their foot on the clutch.

**Timbuk2**

When I park, I've gotten into the habit of putting it in 1st gear all the time, unless I'm parked downhill when I put it in R.

I don't know why I put it in R, as I'm sure it makes no difference!

alexlyons

Alanstrainor wrote: »

As well as all the advice above. Always start the car with the gearbox in neutral and your foot on the clutch. I've seen far too many people start a car only to have it fly forward because they forgot to take the car out of gear and/or put their foot on the clutch.

Ye and years ago I heard a story about a child who was given the keys to let himself into a car to wait in it, in the drive of their house. He proceeded to put the keys in the ignition and try to turn it on. The car was in gear and hoped forward, crushing his little sister to death between the front of the car and a wall.

I don't leave the car in gear, the ol' one does if she ever borrows it, and I got into the habit of starting on the clutch for what reason I don't know, but it's pretty helpful. If I park on a hill I consciously think about what way I leave it, wheels in hand brake firmly on etc. It only takes a second and in my opinion a firm handbrake and wheels turned in is safe enough, as if it rolls if the handbrake fails, it will hit the curb and hopefully a wall if there's one there. People have much more time to react to a slowly rolling car than a sudden jump that could result in the horrific consequences above.

erwinvr101

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

When I park, I've gotten into the habit of putting it in 1st gear all the time, unless I'm parked downhill when I put it in R.

I don't know why I put it in R, as I'm sure it makes no difference!

that's the right thing to do. but you should put your gear on first only if you are facing uphill and your wheel turn out so that if it ever rolls back it will hit the kerb.

bambera

I have a habit when starting off of always putting my foot on the break pedal even though the hand break is on, so in this case it's safe for me to start the car in first gear or reverse (with my left foot on the clutch of course) then right?

**Timbuk2**

bambera wrote: »

I have a habit when starting off of always putting my foot on the break pedal even though the hand break is on, so in this case it's safe for me to start the car in first gear or reverse (with my left foot on the clutch of course) then right?

If you have your foot on the clutch, there really isn't much need to put your foot on the brake. I think that's a habit people pick up from automatic cars, as I think you need to have your foot on the brake to change from Park to Neutral to Drive etc.

alexlyons

bambera wrote: »

I have a habit when starting off of always putting my foot on the break pedal even though the hand break is on, so in this case it's safe for me to start the car in first gear or reverse (with my left foot on the clutch of course) then right?

some people put their foot on the break when starting to prevent the lurtching that I spoke of. This makes no difference as the wheels don't actually move, the car just jumps down on the suspension while moving forward at the same time. All the movement is in the suspension. Not saying this is why you do it, justanother thing to be aware of.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

as I think you need to have your foot on the brake to change from Park to Neutral to Drive etc.

Yup bang on, you have to hit the brake to get it out of park but you generally don't need to push it for any other gear changes.