Makes no sense to me, aren't you just relying on engine compression to stop the car from rolling? Seems like either gear would work whichever way you're facing since the point is to not let the car start moving. Stick it in first, try to push it, can't push it forward or backward. Same with reverse.

 

I agree. Why should it matter, the car isn't going to move anyways.

 

Click and Clack say:

C & C

 

I throw it in 4th. I guess it's just easier that way. And I usually / never park on hills.

 

I always park in 1st

 

I push straight up on the shift lever (3rd gear) when I need the car to be in gear when parked. I always turn the wheel in the appropiate direction too, when I'm on a slope.

 

S2KenC is right. I tend to use the handbrake mostly, but use the gears on steep slopes.

4motto: nice sig...........................

 

The manual makes sense if you think about it. You want the engine's compression to hold you on the hill. If the engine would have to turn opposite of running direction to slide downhill, then it's holding the hill with cylinder compression.

If you do the opposite of what the manual says, then you're holding the hill with vacuum in the cylinders. Personally, I'd prefer the compression since the engine was intended to hold pressure in that direction already. Also, any hydrocarbons left in the engine would vaporize, thus reducing the vacuum.

 

I'm with CBeyond and S2KenC. When facing uphill, I park in 1st. When facing downhill, I park in Reverse.