Leave it in1st + ebrake

 

When you're parked facing uphill, the rule depends on if there's actually a curb there or not. If there's no curb, you want the car to roll onto the shoulder, out of traffic. However, if there IS a curb, point the wheels away from the curb so that the back of your front wheels would come to rest on the curb, stopping the car. That's how we do it in California at least.

 

I suppose this makes sense--but wouldn't pointing the wheels toward the curb also allow the rear wheels to rest on the curb? I guess it's the same effect either way--a wheel will come to rest on the curb at some point. I would just think that having the rear hit would be more reliable since there's more clearance behind that wheel vs. the front.

 

Depends if the street has a curb...

How to park up/downhill...

 

i was under the impression that one would never want the cylinders to go backwards. if my car has a chance of rolling forwards, then i put it in first, if there is a chance of it rolling backwards than i put it in reverse. have i been doing it wrong?

 

I suppose this makes sense--but wouldn't pointing the wheels toward the curb also allow the rear wheels to rest on the curb? I guess it's the same effect either way--a wheel will come to rest on the curb at some point. I would just think that having the rear hit would be more reliable since there's more clearance behind that wheel vs. the front.
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I think clearance would be OK since the front wheel actually extends out beyond the body of the car when the wheel is turned. I'm guessing that in most cases either tire (front or back) would stop the car but a few possible reasons why the front wheel could be a better choice would be:

- The front tire allows a more extreme angle between the curb and the tire. So the rear tire could possibly climb the curb more easily due to the angle of approach being closer to parallel.
- If the front wheels are used, the curb is reached in a shorter distance so the car has gained less momentum, reducing the chances of jumping the curb.
- If the front wheel is used, the front of the car moves towards the curb but the back doesn't move very far into traffic. If the rear tire is used, the front of the car will have shifted significantly away from the curb into traffic before coming to rest.

I don't know which (if any) of these is the reason why the powers that be chose the front wheel. But assuming that either tire would work, my guess would be that the last reason is why the front might still be preferred. In any case, trying to visualize how the car would roll makes me realize that maybe the more important thing is to park close to the curb.

 

hmm,i always use 6th gear + ebrake when level or with the front of the car facing uphill. Reverse + ebrake when the front of the car is facing downhill.

Looks like everyone here uses first gear. Am I doing it wrong?

 

This is the exact reason why you're supposed to park this way. Great explanation!
I suppose this makes sense--but wouldn't pointing the wheels toward the curb also allow the rear wheels to rest on the curb? I guess it's the same effect either way--a wheel will come to rest on the curb at some point. I would just think that having the rear hit would be more reliable since there's more clearance behind that wheel vs. the front.
[/quote]

I think clearance would be OK since the front wheel actually extends out beyond the body of the car when the wheel is turned. I'm guessing that in most cases either tire (front or back) would stop the car but a few possible reasons why the front wheel could be a better choice would be:

- The front tire allows a more extreme angle between the curb and the tire. So the rear tire could possibly climb the curb more easily due to the angle of approach being closer to parallel.
- If the front wheels are used, the curb is reached in a shorter distance so the car has gained less momentum, reducing the chances of jumping the curb.
- If the front wheel is used, the front of the car moves towards the curb but the back doesn't move very far into traffic. If the rear tire is used, the front of the car will have shifted significantly away from the curb into traffic before coming to rest.

I don't know which (if any) of these is the reason why the powers that be chose the front wheel. But assuming that either tire would work, my guess would be that the last reason is why the front might still be preferred. In any case, trying to visualize how the car would roll makes me realize that maybe the more important thing is to park close to the curb.
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This is exactly why you are supposed to park this way...great explanation!

 

nobody else leaves there car in 2nd, 3rd or 4th sometimes when parked?

 

*their

No? Honestly though...doesn't it make the most sense to leave it in 6th since it's the highest gear ratio?