View Poll Results: Do you park your S2K in gear?
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Do you park your S2K in gear?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Parsippany
I'm with BassMan, obviously.
I see Greg that you recall my diatribe re: e-brake vs. p-brake, I'm going to steer clear of that debate this time, boy was I cranky then, must be too much caffeine or something...
Anyway, like the BassMan said, the best way to keep one's parking brake functioning properly is to use it. The only (technical) exception to this I can think of, is that it's advisable during very cold weather to not use the parking brake if the car is going to sit for any length of time, as the parking brake can freeze while engaged. During this situation, you must leave the car parked in gear, for obvious reasons.
As far as leaving the car in gear when parked, there are two kinds of manual tranny drivers out there: Ones that have seen their cars roll away because of no parking brake, and one's that are going to see their cars roll away, just give it time, it'll happen. Doesn't take much of a hill, trust my experience, my down-the-street neighbors didn't really appreciate my Integra sitting on their front lawn making kissy with their Buick!
As far as Socal28's question about long-term stress on the trans from leaving the car in gear, I don't see how it could cause any problems, the engine is afterall not running, so leaving the car in gear is merely an additional safety measure to keep it from moving should the parking brake fail for any reason. But maybe some of you techie people out there know more about this? Please advise.
OK I'm done. If this damned snow melts I'll be out driving the S tomorrow so no one will have to listen to my preaching!
I see Greg that you recall my diatribe re: e-brake vs. p-brake, I'm going to steer clear of that debate this time, boy was I cranky then, must be too much caffeine or something...
Anyway, like the BassMan said, the best way to keep one's parking brake functioning properly is to use it. The only (technical) exception to this I can think of, is that it's advisable during very cold weather to not use the parking brake if the car is going to sit for any length of time, as the parking brake can freeze while engaged. During this situation, you must leave the car parked in gear, for obvious reasons.
As far as leaving the car in gear when parked, there are two kinds of manual tranny drivers out there: Ones that have seen their cars roll away because of no parking brake, and one's that are going to see their cars roll away, just give it time, it'll happen. Doesn't take much of a hill, trust my experience, my down-the-street neighbors didn't really appreciate my Integra sitting on their front lawn making kissy with their Buick!
As far as Socal28's question about long-term stress on the trans from leaving the car in gear, I don't see how it could cause any problems, the engine is afterall not running, so leaving the car in gear is merely an additional safety measure to keep it from moving should the parking brake fail for any reason. But maybe some of you techie people out there know more about this? Please advise.
OK I'm done. If this damned snow melts I'll be out driving the S tomorrow so no one will have to listen to my preaching!
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 7
From: WA
The only time not to use the parking brake is at the track, to keep from heat soaking your rear pads.. so when you come in try to find a level spot to park and just leave the car in gear.
Gravity is a very consistent force, so using the brake and leaving it in gear is IMO a good habit.
Gravity is a very consistent force, so using the brake and leaving it in gear is IMO a good habit.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: NW DC
I park by putting the car in second and pulling the e-brake up. I feel as long as you pull the e-brake up while your foot is on the brake then you're not putting strain on the transmission because the e-brake is holding the car. Now if the brake starts to slip for any reason then the transmission will start to hold it.
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From: Houston
I was given a tip at Autocross a few months ago, if you're autocrossing don't use your hand brake between runs; it can warp the rotors because of the high heat. The guy that told me (ex-nationals champ) said this happened to his car once. Just a tip.
Wesmaster
Wesmaster
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Portola Valley
Ditto on In gear with park brake.
But two points on other issues mentioned in this thread.
One, the stress on your transmission from holding your car against a hill is trivial compared to what it encounters in normal acceleration. I would say that given the stresses it is designed for, one should not worry about this in the least.
Second - on heat soak. Disks can warp if they cool non-uniformly. Brake pads that are within a millimeter of the disk (unapplied), and those contacting the disk (applied) are both very different heat transfer situations relative the part of the disk that is openly exposed to the heat-dissipating air. The unapplied state is an insulation environment because a layer of air is trapped by the disk, slowing it' cooling. Whether the brakes-applied traps or dissipates heat depends on what the thermal conductivity of your compound is. But whatever it is, it is likely to be different from what the rest of the disk is experiencing.
Therefore, if you really heat your brakes up, don't think keeping your brake off will save your disks. Not to mention the fact that most cars parking brake only applies the rear, But anyway, you must cool your brakes while they are rotating so that they cool uniformly. Best way is to drive around for a good 10 minutes without using the brakes - thus cooling the disks all around.
Happy smooth braking.
Dan
But two points on other issues mentioned in this thread.
One, the stress on your transmission from holding your car against a hill is trivial compared to what it encounters in normal acceleration. I would say that given the stresses it is designed for, one should not worry about this in the least.
Second - on heat soak. Disks can warp if they cool non-uniformly. Brake pads that are within a millimeter of the disk (unapplied), and those contacting the disk (applied) are both very different heat transfer situations relative the part of the disk that is openly exposed to the heat-dissipating air. The unapplied state is an insulation environment because a layer of air is trapped by the disk, slowing it' cooling. Whether the brakes-applied traps or dissipates heat depends on what the thermal conductivity of your compound is. But whatever it is, it is likely to be different from what the rest of the disk is experiencing.
Therefore, if you really heat your brakes up, don't think keeping your brake off will save your disks. Not to mention the fact that most cars parking brake only applies the rear, But anyway, you must cool your brakes while they are rotating so that they cool uniformly. Best way is to drive around for a good 10 minutes without using the brakes - thus cooling the disks all around.
Happy smooth braking.
Dan
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Lake Elmo
It depends.
If it is my garage...in 1st (I back in), no e-brake.
If it is on a hill (not to many of those here), in gear and e-brake.
On the level, in gear only. This probably is an old habit that originated after the rear brakes on my 1970 VW Bug fused themselves to the drums after a rain storm. The end result of that was I had to take the wheels off and beat on the drums with a hammer becasue the car didn't have enough power to break the brakes loose from the drums. That was fun....Of course, I was about 1,000 miles away from home without a charge card or penny to my name. Well, maybe a few pennies for gas.
If it is my garage...in 1st (I back in), no e-brake.
If it is on a hill (not to many of those here), in gear and e-brake.
On the level, in gear only. This probably is an old habit that originated after the rear brakes on my 1970 VW Bug fused themselves to the drums after a rain storm. The end result of that was I had to take the wheels off and beat on the drums with a hammer becasue the car didn't have enough power to break the brakes loose from the drums. That was fun....Of course, I was about 1,000 miles away from home without a charge card or penny to my name. Well, maybe a few pennies for gas.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: newport beach
When I park in my garage, I leave car in neutral, and use the parking brake so I can place my nice bright yellow metal wheel chock under the front wheel, then release the p brake. When parking away from home, I do it as far from the rest of the world as possible, leave the car in neutral and use the e brake.
2x6spds
2x6spds
