[QUOTE]Originally posted by RazorV3
there is no damage done if you change gears while the car is off.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RazorV3
there is no damage done if you change gears while the car is off.

 

I've seen transmissions that would, at times, not shift into all gears when the motor was not running and the clutch was engaged. I believe this happens when the gear teeth don't mesh without the syncro action. With the motor off, and the clutch engaged, the shafts can't turn at all, so the gear teeth won't mesh if they're not already aligned. I've also observed that when the transmission is in this state (where you can't engage all gears with the clutch out), you can push the clutch in, engage each gear, then let the clutch back out, and the trans will then shift easily into each gear, even tough the motor is off and the clutch engaged. I believe that what happens here is that by shifting through the gears with the clutch disengaged, each set of gears are moved into a good enough alignment for the gear teeth to engage, and when you let the clutch back out (motor still off) this locks all the gears in that alignment. Then shifting through all the gears with the clutch out is easy. I also believe, but am not sure, that I've seen this more on truck and machinery transmissions with straight-cut gears, so that could be a factor.

In other words, I'm not really sure, but I believe that it is a bad idea to shift through the gears with the clutch engaged. I also have to wonder why you'd want to be doing that. I use to do it when I was a kid, pretending that I was driving, and that's when I learned that some transmissions won't shift into all gears with the motor off and the clutch engaged. Even pulling a car out of gear with the clutch engaged feels all wrong. Try it (but don't blame me if you break something). Put the car in gear, let the clutch out, and then pull it out of gear. Does it slip easily into neutral, or does it bind? If it's hard to shift, it can't be good for the gearbox.

Simple answer = bad idea, IMHO.

RED

 

i cant believe we're having this discussion,,,,, HOW TO PARK MY CAR!!!

 

 

you should use the clicking mechenism so you are sure to lock it and there is adequate pressure on it, if you dont click it in place it may go down a few clicks while you are letting off the button....thus possibly resulting in an accident. The clicking you hear is a progressive lock, notice if the lock is only clicked a few times its not as strong as if its clicked up a few more. The button mearly acts as a pin that either clicks over a a gear, with little resistance, or locks in place with downward effort(if your not lifting the brake).

 

This is absolutely the most thorough answer to a question I've ever read. Anyone who doesn't know everything imagineable about the ins and outs of the parking brake operation after reading this should surrender their driver's license at the nearest DMV office.

How about this...... I am heavy handed and tend to press rather firmly on the red button when starting my S. Would it be better if I were to get in the habit of wrapping my fingers under the dash before pressing the button with my thumb, thereby exerting less pressure on the button or are my fears unfounded?



Gerry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Young_R
park it in 1st gear if your front is facing uphill

 

One more point: what's the big deal about pressing the brake pedal when pulling up the handbrake? Does this help seat the pads over the discs properly or something?

Now that I think about it, I always do this while parking, and if I just yank the handbrake while the car is slowly rolling, there is a more noticeable creak in the stop.

///Robin

 

I think that actual handbreak breaks the wheel from inside the rotor rather then from the pads on the rotor in the caliper... does that make sense,...