parking in gear

[Kunzite]

Always.
And, since I'm always doing it, it's now a habit - so I won't forget the car is in gear and let go the clutch.

[smallfun]

Originally Posted by JonnyRocket

You should hop in the car and put your feet on the brake and the clutch, start it up, release the hand brake, and go!

Cheers!

Should I let the engine idle and warm up a bit for a minute or so before setting off?

[JonnyRocket]

Originally Posted by smallfun

Should I let the engine idle and warm up a bit for a minute or so before setting off?

Not necessary. It's not bad, but modern engines have such tight manufacturing tolerances and such good lubrication and emissions systems that the reasons you used to be told to do that no longer apply.

[JonnyRocket]

Let me clear this up right now as well, there's no "tension" on any gears. Tension is a technical term, with a specific meaning (it's the opposite of compression) and it doesn't apply in this scenario. Technically part of each engaged gear tooth is experiencing tension and part is experiencing compression, but to say parking in gear "causes tension on the gears" is totally false.

Think about it, the car will drive hundreds of thousands of miles while in gear. Parking in gear is a non-issue when it comes to affecting gear life. By parking in gear you're simply using the engine and drivetrain's resistance to motion to hold your car in place. While good, this is not perfect and your car can still move. So set the handbrake as well!

[jarviz]

I really want a remote start for the winter months so I'm trying to avoid parking in gear. I think parking with handbrakes and the wheels turned should be enough. I hope.

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by JonnyRocket

Not necessary. It's not bad, but modern engines have such tight manufacturing tolerances and such good lubrication and emissions systems that the reasons you used to be told to do that no longer apply.

Some people recommend waiting 10sec or so (e.g. while putting on seat belt, adjusting radio etc) to allow the engine oil to circulate and the oil pressure to come up. Is this right or wrong?

[Superhatch]

I only ever use my brake.

Do you guys gear+brake for safety reasons?

I might have done it a few times on a really steep hill, but Im almost always parking on flat surfaces.

Edit: I only know this because I posted it in a similar forum, but the manual says to keep it in neutral. Not sure why.

[Superhatch]

Originally Posted by einzlr

Some people recommend waiting 10sec or so (e.g. while putting on seat belt, adjusting radio etc) to allow the engine oil to circulate and the oil pressure to come up. Is this right or wrong?

If you let the car run for about 20s or so it will start at 2000ish, blip up 1-200rpm and then drop down to 1200ish rpm. For some reason this just feels like the car is saying...ok, ready to go. I usually let it go through that routine whenever I start up. Not saying it's needed, but it makes me feel good.

[JonnyRocket]

Originally Posted by einzlr

Some people recommend waiting 10sec or so (e.g. while putting on seat belt, adjusting radio etc) to allow the engine oil to circulate and the oil pressure to come up. Is this right or wrong?

It's not a bad idea to wait a few seconds. Unless you live a block from the freeway entrance, driving down your driveway and out of your block/parking lot is generally enough time for oil to begin moving. The colder ambient temp is, the better it is to let the engine idle for 10-20 seconds.

To reiterate, it's not a bad idea to give your motor a few seconds in the morning, especially when cold. But you don't need to rev it, or wait until it's fully warmed up.

[TRBO2NR]

I always use the parking brake as I have found using it often will keep it from seizing and preventing problems in the future. The less you use something, the more likely it will corrode... I don't park in gear, especially now since I will be getting remote start installed, that would suck!

[zenki_levin]

I usually don't park in gear. Maybe just in the winter so the handbrake doesn't freeze or on a really steep hill/street.

[Braces]

I used to have cars with the parking brake where you had to push with your left leg to engage. For whatever reason .... I just parked the car in 1st gear rather than set the cumbersome parking brake. In the FRS/BRZ ... the "hand Brake" is easy to use ... so I use BOTH handbrake and 1st gear during park. On inclines ..... front tires directed at sidewalk depending on direction of incline/decline.

[Turbowned]

I only do it when I'm on a steep hill or if the car needs the parking brake adjusted. When I got my MR2 the parking brake was shot, so I used to put it in gear all the time, but once I replaced the cables and adjusted it, I resorted to just using the parking brake again.

[Dustin]

Gear + Parking Brake

Been a habit for me since I started driving. Can't be too careful.