Manual Tranny Drivers

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Old 02-18-2005 | 12:23 PM
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Manual Tranny Drivers

When you park your car, do you put it in neutral and use the parking brake, or do you put it in gear and not use the parking brake?

My dad and I were having this argument...he thinks I should leave it in gear instead of using the parking brake.

I was asking because my car is in the shop for the 2nd time in 2 months because the parking brake is stuck again. It was bad enough this time that I could smell the brakes when I drove it to the shop.
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:24 PM
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first way.
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:24 PM
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Use both! Why take chances?
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ClutchPerformer
Use both! Why take chances?
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:41 PM
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I use both. If you are on steep incline/decline the car in gear may not be enough to stabalize the car or your parking brakes may not be strong enough.
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:47 PM
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I never use the parking brake... because I never park on a hill.... just leave the ride in gear.

Everytime you pull up hard on that parking brake, you stretch the cable.
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:50 PM
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Both.
Old 02-18-2005 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Moodist
I use both. If you are on steep incline/decline the car in gear may not be enough to stabalize the car or your parking brakes may not be strong enough.
the parking brake is strong enough to lock up your wheels while driving

i use both cause its just easy to forget to do one. my bro used to only leave it in gear and the week he got his new integra it slowly rolled into my garage cause he forgot to leave it in gear

after that he uses both too hehe
Old 02-18-2005 | 01:02 PM
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I should elaborate:

Only putting the car in gear is bad for the reason that Python stated ^^. Plus, in that case, the rolling car (in gear) made the engine turn a few times with no oil pressure. Not the end of the world, but certainly not a great thing either.

Only using the parking brake is also bad, especially since the original poster is having problems with it. Rely on that alone, and...
Old 02-18-2005 | 01:10 PM
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I use both.
Old 02-18-2005 | 01:24 PM
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Both.

Put car in 1st (or reverse if facing downhill), hold down brake, apply parking brake, turn car off.

I think this is the safest. (Of course turn the wheels if it's a steep incline.)

It's a good habit too.

A friend had a brand new RSX and only used the parking brake. Forgot to do it once (or didn't pull it far enough), and the car actually rolled out of his driveway across the street into some bushes. Luckily no real damage but a few small scratches.
Old 02-18-2005 | 01:25 PM
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im confuse. wont leaving the car in first gear while parked allow the car to move foward since there is no parking gear on a manual car?
Old 02-18-2005 | 01:48 PM
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Always use the parking brake.

Do you remember the scene from "Risky Business"?
Old 02-18-2005 | 02:09 PM
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both
Old 02-18-2005 | 02:21 PM
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wat do you guys mean "both"?
Old 02-18-2005 | 02:24 PM
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In gear & P Brake
Old 02-18-2005 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by crazyboi
wat do you guys mean "both"?
It means go hit yourself in the head with a hammer...
Old 02-18-2005 | 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by ClutchPerformer
It means go hit yourself in the head with a hammer...
thats only one thing. whats the other thing?
Old 02-18-2005 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by crazyboi
thats only one thing. whats the other thing?
Sorry. The head AND the knees.
Old 02-18-2005 | 03:17 PM
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No no no it's head and balls.

:troutslap
Old 02-18-2005 | 04:14 PM
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I decide when I park the car, if it is flat out I just leave it in gear, if I am on a hill I use both or just the e-brake.
Old 02-18-2005 | 04:50 PM
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neutral + parking brake
Old 02-18-2005 | 04:57 PM
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If I am on any type of incline i put it in first gear plus parking brake
Old 02-18-2005 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by fdl
If I am on any type of incline i put it in first gear plus parking brake

ditto.


Otherwise i just leave it in gear.

Dont want the parking brake to get stuck in the cold.
Old 02-18-2005 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by fdl
If I am on any type of incline i put it in first gear plus parking brake

.. but that is ONLY if I am on a incline/decline
Old 02-18-2005 | 05:18 PM
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In my garage which is flat....just the p-brake.

But anywhere else outside of my garage.....parking lot, street, hill, where ever. I use the Parking brake and leave the car in Reverse.
Old 02-18-2005 | 06:15 PM
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I've been driving MT type cars for over 35 years and always have put a car in first gear and apply the parking brake when parking car.
Old 02-18-2005 | 06:19 PM
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How can you other guys NOT use BOTH? I always put it in first/reverse (depending on incline) and P-brake, no matter if I'm on the flattest street or steepest hill. Some people are asking for trouble.
Old 02-18-2005 | 06:25 PM
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Both. 1st gear and parking brake.
Old 02-18-2005 | 06:56 PM
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so u telling me that putting the car in first gear wont allow the car to move while parking? why is that?
Old 02-18-2005 | 08:27 PM
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in my garage, in gear only. Its flat, and no one is going to bump it. Any where else, I always use both.
Old 02-18-2005 | 08:33 PM
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Cool

I have been driving manual transmition cars since my days in France.

Whenever I park I put on the parking brake... (as the name entails)

When I need a little extra added security (as mentioned by others - incline or decline) then I put the car in first gear on an incline and in reverse on a decline...

I hope this helps...

Cheers
Ciao
Old 02-18-2005 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by crazyboi
so u telling me that putting the car in first gear wont allow the car to move while parking? why is that?
The engine acts as a brake...

You ever try to turn an engine over by hand ?? You need a big breaker bar usually. Pulling out the spark plugs will lessen the load from the compression cycle, but with an engine all buttoned up, it makes for a great parking brake (as long as your clutch ain't slipping real bad).
Old 02-18-2005 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 6mtV6
Always use the parking brake.

Do you remember the scene from "Risky Business"?
Man, you just made me flash back to high school.
Old 02-19-2005 | 03:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Salut
I have been driving manual transmition cars since my days in France.
Then you'd know that some considerate folks parking in tight flat curb side parking situations leave their car in neutral without the parking brake (or on slightly) so that the car can be moved slightly to squeeze in another car.
Old 02-19-2005 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ClutchPerformer
Use both! Why take chances?


you are supposed to do both!!
It can pop out of gear and emergency brakes don't always grip like theyare supposed to
Old 02-19-2005 | 04:27 PM
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Cool

Originally Posted by biker
Then you'd know that some considerate folks parking in tight flat curb side parking situations leave their car in neutral without the parking brake (or on slightly) so that the car can be moved slightly to squeeze in another car.
I don't recall seeing that as the rule NO... although I'm sure some did...

Also realize that I have been living in SoCal since '81... So yes things in Europe may have changed a bit...

Salut
Old 02-19-2005 | 04:39 PM
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Isnt putting an automatic in Park the same thing as a manual car leaving it in gear? Im sure automatic drivers dont put there parking brakes on....
Old 02-19-2005 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Isnt putting an automatic in Park the same thing as a manual car leaving it in gear? Im sure automatic drivers dont put there parking brakes on....
When I had my Buick LeSabre I always put the PB on eventhough it was an Automatic...




Ciao
Old 02-22-2005 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Isnt putting an automatic in Park the same thing as a manual car leaving it in gear? Im sure automatic drivers dont put there parking brakes on....
No. <--link


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