Just wondering what everyone else does i always put my car in a random gear when i park it i switch it every time but ive never used reverse.
"If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb and
put the transmission in first gear.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb and put
the transmission in reverse gear"
this is what the owners manual says and ive never heard of leaving the car in reverse when its park does ANYBODY actually do that?
also does it matter what gear you leave it in? i see it recommends first but that just seems like a given im assuming it doesnt matter if i leave the car in 4th instead...

 

I forget why, but I was told to now use the reverse gear. Something to do with the actual parts inside the transmission, I think it was because it has no syncros but dont quote me on that.

 

i swear i remember something about reverse being the weakest gear with the least ability to hold the car when parked

 

I follow what the manual says. Reverse if facing downhill. I don't trust the handbrake alone to hold the car.

 

If on hills - I use the above 1 and Rev.

If I am parked on level ground - I park in the gear I will use to leave -
backed into a space = park in 1st
Pulled into a space = parked in Rev.

I have done this for years and agree with the comment above - I don't trust the e-brake alone - and I don't trust the tranny alone.

 

Your hill situation is slightly off--the front wheels should always be pointed toward the curb. If your wheels are facing away from the curb and something fails allowing the car to roll, it will go into traffic rather than into the curb regardless of whether it's uphill or downhill.

As for what I do: leave it in first gear no matter what + add parking brake as long as it's above freezing. Below freezing it's only in gear.

 

why do you not use the e-brake when its below freezing?

 

Possible brake line freeze (not as likely with these newer cars) + almost guaranteed added resistance due to the pad freezing to the rotor in wet conditions. If I were parked uphill in below-freezing I'd probably still use the e-brake.

 

Reverse downhill, 1st every other time except in my garage, only hand brake then.

 

my car is always in gear, if I park in reverse I leave it in that gear