Parking Brake Sucks?

Slynky · 12-17-2009, 06:56 AM

Can't believe all this talk about not leaving the car in a gear (preferably 1st gear or reverse) when parking because of stress and strain.

Like others, I've been doing it for over 40 years and never had a problem. I don't even know of anyone who has ever returned from a transmission problem to say, "Yeah, the mechanic told me I'd have to replace "fill-in-the'blank" because I've been leaving the car in gear when I parked".

For all the people using strain and pressure (etc.) in their comments, are you just repeating what you've heard or could you be a bit more specific? For instance, is it wearing out something? Is it bending something? Is it making the metal more brittle? What...?

And, after reading through the post/thread, I notice no one mentioned (or else my scanning was too quick) using the front wheels as a third tool when parking on an incline where there is a curb available. Turn the wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and the other way when facing uphill. Put it in gear AND put on the parking brake. [edit] LOL and just noticed the last post before mine mentions using the wheels against a curb.

Having said all that, I don't have any idea if parking on an incline with an automatic tranny (in Park) is a problem or not. Haven't owned an AT since 1976.

MightyBobo · 12-17-2009, 07:35 AM

I never EVER park my car without leaving it in gear. I personally saw someones car roll down a hill (not even particularly steep at all) when his ebrake cable snapped. Rolled probably 700ish feet right into my friends car, and totaled it out.

AutoX Z · 12-17-2009, 08:53 AM

I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power.

spearfish25 · 12-17-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power.

Continuing the interesting discussion...

I've read that if you're parked on a hill facing downward, you should put the car in reverse. If you facing up a hill, you should park in 1st. This way the car won't be able to roll if the hill is steep enough since the gear you selected is opposite the rolling direction. Now I don't know how realistic a car rolling forward in 1st gear is. It's a tall enough gear that it would take one hell of a steep slope to make it roll. But if you park on a hill in 5th, I'd bet the car may roll forward (ebrake not engaged).

Pharmacist · 12-17-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Continuing the interesting discussion...

I've read that if you're parked on a hill facing downward, you should put the car in reverse. If you facing up a hill, you should park in 1st. This way the car won't be able to roll if the hill is steep enough since the gear you selected is opposite the rolling direction. Now I don't know how realistic a car rolling forward in 1st gear is. It's a tall enough gear that it would take one hell of a steep slope to make it roll. But if you park on a hill in 5th, I'd bet the car may roll forward (ebrake not engaged).

that doesn't make any sense. if the car is in an opposing gear and rolls, it will simply turn the engine backwards. its no harder to turn the engine backwards than forwards. and yes, higher gears like 3rd or higher will not hold the car because it is easier for the transmission to rotate the engine due to the torque multiplication.

ChrisSlicks · 12-17-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power.

Actually you'd be wrong. 1st gear is 3.794, reverse is 3.446. 1st wins.

AutoX Z · 12-17-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Actually you'd be wrong. 1st gear is 3.794, reverse is 3.446. 1st wins.

Damn I stand corrected, wonder why reverse is so high.

ChrisSlicks · 12-17-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

Damn I stand corrected, wonder why reverse is so high.

Not sure, it was that way in the 350 as well, in case you want to do 45mph in reverse I guess.

antbear · 12-17-2009, 09:04 AM

Parking brake on plus..................

"I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power."

An example of our Forum doing good. It educates us without us having to learn the hard way and provides useful information for mods, sources for these mods, etc.

WhiskeyHotel · 12-17-2009, 11:03 AM

I learned to drive a "standard" transmission (That's what my grandfather called it.) in a 1969 Dodge pickup with "three on the tree". I don't think it even had an e-brake, so I parked it in gear. No particular gear - just the one I was in when I stopped. Later I delivered tires for a summer job in a Chevy 454 dualie. I always parked that truck with the e-brake and in gear because it had a bad habit of popping out of gear.

I've always used both since then. It's just a habit. I have no idea if you can knock a modern MT out of gear just by opening the frakkin' door.

vipor · 12-17-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiskeyHotel

I have no idea if you can knock a modern MT out of gear just by opening the frakkin' door.

lol done that before.

chibbell · 12-17-2009, 11:29 AM

I was always taught to put it in gear and use the e-brake. I'd rather put a minor strain on my transmission than risk the very tiny chance that my car could roll and hurt someone.

As for the OP - I've had the car roll back a few times when parking in my driveway and just putting the e-brake on. Maybe 2 or 3 times out of the hundreds of times I've parked. It always held fine the second time I put the e-brake on though it did reinforce my inclination to put it in gear too.

GT Motoring · 12-17-2009, 01:08 PM

Good discussion!

corner3garage · 12-18-2009, 01:56 PM

drum type rear e brakes tend to be pretty easy to adjust. If you were to adjust the e brake at the drum after the first break in period, it should be fine. Also you should check the tension on the lever wire, because that needs adjustment after break in period.

kannibul · 12-18-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corner3garage

drum type rear e brakes tend to be pretty easy to adjust. If you were to adjust the e brake at the drum after the first break in period, it should be fine. Also you should check the tension on the lever wire, because that needs adjustment after break in period.

So, are you saying that you *know* this will resolve the issue, or that you *think* this will resolve the issue?

12-17-2009, 06:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slynky Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 595 Drives: 2010 Red 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 17	Can't believe all this talk about not leaving the car in a gear (preferably 1st gear or reverse) when parking because of stress and strain. Like others, I've been doing it for over 40 years and never had a problem. I don't even know of anyone who has ever returned from a transmission problem to say, "Yeah, the mechanic told me I'd have to replace "fill-in-the'blank" because I've been leaving the car in gear when I parked". For all the people using strain and pressure (etc.) in their comments, are you just repeating what you've heard or could you be a bit more specific? For instance, is it wearing out something? Is it bending something? Is it making the metal more brittle? What...? And, after reading through the post/thread, I notice no one mentioned (or else my scanning was too quick) using the front wheels as a third tool when parking on an incline where there is a curb available. Turn the wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and the other way when facing uphill. Put it in gear AND put on the parking brake. [edit] LOL and just noticed the last post before mine mentions using the wheels against a curb. Having said all that, I don't have any idea if parking on an incline with an automatic tranny (in Park) is a problem or not. Haven't owned an AT since 1976. __________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

12-17-2009, 07:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	I never EVER park my car without leaving it in gear. I personally saw someones car roll down a hill (not even particularly steep at all) when his ebrake cable snapped. Rolled probably 700ish feet right into my friends car, and totaled it out. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

12-17-2009, 08:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
AutoX Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 314 Drives: 370Z Base, Sport Rep Power: 17	I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power. __________________ 2013 SCCA Solo National Champion VVV For Sale VVV

12-17-2009, 09:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
antbear Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 111 Drives: 09 370Z Tour/Sport P Rep Power: 16	Parking brake on plus.................. "I'd also recommend leaving it in reverse not first. Reverse has a lower gear ratio that gives it more holding power." An example of our Forum doing good. It educates us without us having to learn the hard way and provides useful information for mods, sources for these mods, etc. Last edited by antbear; 12-17-2009 at 12:31 PM.

12-17-2009, 01:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
GT Motoring Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 489 Drives: R35 Rep Power: 840	Good discussion! __________________ http://www.gtmotoring.com/images/for...r-nagtroc1.gif Zele Authorized USA Dealer Amuse Authorized Distributor 370Z Purchasing Special through GT Motoring www.gtmotoring.com

12-17-2009, 11:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 17	I learned to drive a "standard" transmission (That's what my grandfather called it.) in a 1969 Dodge pickup with "three on the tree". I don't think it even had an e-brake, so I parked it in gear. No particular gear - just the one I was in when I stopped. Later I delivered tires for a summer job in a Chevy 454 dualie. I always parked that truck with the e-brake and in gear because it had a bad habit of popping out of gear. I've always used both since then. It's just a habit. I have no idea if you can knock a modern MT out of gear just by opening the frakkin' door.

12-17-2009, 11:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
chibbell Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Age: 45 Posts: 65 Drives: 370z Touring Sport Rep Power: 17	I was always taught to put it in gear and use the e-brake. I'd rather put a minor strain on my transmission than risk the very tiny chance that my car could roll and hurt someone. As for the OP - I've had the car roll back a few times when parking in my driveway and just putting the e-brake on. Maybe 2 or 3 times out of the hundreds of times I've parked. It always held fine the second time I put the e-brake on though it did reinforce my inclination to put it in gear too.

12-18-2009, 01:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
corner3garage The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 9,879 Drives: 240sx, 350z, 370z Rep Power: 35	drum type rear e brakes tend to be pretty easy to adjust. If you were to adjust the e brake at the drum after the first break in period, it should be fine. Also you should check the tension on the lever wire, because that needs adjustment after break in period. __________________ Corner3motorsports.com

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