Do you leave the car in gear ?

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:27 pm

Apparently the handbrake can be used when you leave your car parked.

I thought it was purely for adjusting the rotation of the car in corners

Dominic

cjm · Post by **cjm** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:44 pm

After a quick drive in my first car (a Daihatsu Charade GTti) I parked it at the top of the drive and about 15 mins later heard a crash as the rear discs cooled and the car rolled away crashing though the garage door

The car was ok but the garage door was wrecked! Always park in gear now.

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:47 pm

Yes and no , When its parked in my garage its in neutral handbrake off. I read or was told its not good to leave the car for long periods in gear ?????????????? When I park anywhere else its in gear handbrake on . Its saved me a couple of times when I have forgotten to put on the handbrake and the car has rolled for a heart stopping moment

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:59 pm

Is that the sticky out thing between the seats? My girlfriend uses this when i go too fast...

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:39 pm

I always leave my car in gear. Seldom use the handbrake only when parked on a slope/hill. It is something my father has taught me.
You need a fair amount of effort to shift a car left on the flat in first gear.

Post by **simon** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:02 pm

ed wrote:i only use the handbrake as where i park is flat and my brakes used to seize on

That doesn't make any sense! If your brakes seized on, the solution is to park with the handbrake off and in gear. Mine's in the garage all the time but I leave it in gear with the handbrake off and always leave it in gear when I park anywhere.

Post by ed » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:03 pm

well spotted that man, i meant i leave in gear and handbrake off!

Post by **simon** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:55 pm