Leaving the car in gear when you park
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Pawtucket, RI
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Wheels facing away from curb for up hill, wheel facing the curb for down hill... Always in first gear. Cousin who taught me how to drive stick never told about reverse. I've never had a problem with the car parked in first. Maybe I should consider reverse for downhill if that is what the book says.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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It's a lot harder for the ENGINE to turn relative to the ground, but it's a lot EASIER for the ground to turn the engine over.
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
Thats why when I do valve adjustments, instead of using tools to turn the engine for different valves, I can just put in 6th and push the car front the front bumper with my knees to move the valves. <-- lazy man
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Joined: Jan 2012
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[rant]Semi off topic, but I'm glad to see this thread. Here in AZ it's mostly flat but I've always parked in gear and used the handbrake. Almost every time. I drove my roommates E46 home one night when he drank too much. Parked it in his side of the garage, and in the AM I heard him slam into a shelf and almost knocked about 300lbs of crap onto his hood. He blamed me for leaving the car in gear. He said nobody does that and it's dumb. I borrowed a friends S recently, and a similar situation happened. What is wrong with people? I ALWAYS verify that a car is in neutral before releasing the clutch, especially if I wasn't the last one to drive the damn thing! [/rant]
may be he parked super close like 10cm away from the shelf...?
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 690
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From: SF Bay Area
Originally Posted by RedCelica' timestamp='1329773620' post='21432964
But if you think about gear ratios, it's a lot harder to turn 6th than it is 1st. In fact, it's quite easy to turn 1st or 2nd gear (hence being able to roll start a car). jm2c...I'm showing my ignorance, I'm probably really missing something fundamental here. 
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
Originally Posted by ZDan' timestamp='1329775187' post='21433029
It's a lot harder for the ENGINE to turn relative to the ground, but it's a lot EASIER for the ground to turn the engine over.
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
In 1st gear, the engine has a ton more mechanical advantage over the wheels.
In 6th, the wheels have a ton more mechanical advantage over the engine! I.e., mucho easier for the weight of the car trying to roll to turn the engine over.
Thats why when I do valve adjustments, instead of using tools to turn the engine for different valves, I can just put in 6th and push the car front the front bumper with my knees to move the valves. <-- lazy man
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,900
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From: Ontario Canada
yeah as stated above never use a higher gear if you want to hold a car on any slope. If you ever have the car on a slope and leave it in a higher gear the car will roll, put it in a lower gear and it will hold better. 6th gear would not hold a car very well on a mild slope. I always use the e-brake except when the car will be stored for long periods of time, then I'll chock the wheels instead.