for those who drive manual trans vehicles

[NiKeFiDO]

always in first gear when the cars off, reverse if im pointed down a hill.

 

[zoiks]

Never forget to put it in gear when parking. I found out the hard way.
I was fishing near Fort Baker in Sausalito, CA when someone came asking me if I owned the red car that rolled down the incline. I came running and found my car attached to a VW bus. Funny thing was that nothing happened to my car but his steel bumper was all caved in. Good thing the bus was there otherwise my car would've gone down the cliff.
My car was not in gear but the handbrake was applied though not all the way up.
I was going to have my insurance pay for the bumper but the guy was cool. He told me that he'd locate a cheap bumper and call me how much it was going to be. He called me a few days later and I mailed him the 120 bucks or so for the bumper. Didnt have to notify my insurance which is all well and good.

 

[Heisenberg]

I always put it in first when I park, but I don't use the emergency brake unless it's a steep incline or something.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Phil

:shocked:

That's even more reason to teach people how to drive a manual car properly.

Over here, if you take your test in an automatic, you can't drive a manual car until you've taken your test again in a manual.

ahh... i was wondering why u kept asking those seemingly strange questions; i did not realize u were from across the pond. i think a lot of ppl here learn to drive (man or auto) through family or friend. then if they want to get their permit early (or insurance discount), they go to a driving school.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I always put it in first when I park, but I don't use the emergency brake unless it's a steep incline or something.

i think i will start doing that too. i just gotta remember to pop my car back into neutral before letting go of the clutch.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Siddhartha
No, I use the emergency brake. If something happens like getting rear ended, I rather not trash my drive train.

It won't hurt the drive train at all. Thats how people push start cars but without a key it won't start. It will just turn the engine doing no damage what so ever well other then the rearend damage itself.

 

[Sqube]

I always put it in gear. If I'm on a steep hill, I'll put it in gear and use the handbrake.

I'm paranoid though.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: Siddhartha
No, I use the emergency brake. If something happens like getting rear ended, I rather not trash my drive train.

It won't hurt the drive train at all. Thats how people push start cars but without a key it won't start. It will just turn the engine doing no damage what so ever well other then the rearend damage itself.

In an automatic it can snap off the parking pawl in the transmission which is $$$.

You're right about the manual transmission though.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Phil

Originally posted by: spanky

Originally posted by: Phil

If you weren't taught that, then your driving instructor is a complete looney.

yup, sounds like my cousin. i just got in and said "so how do i move?"

Your... cousin taught you to drive?

Most "professional" driver's ed instructors in the US never explain how to drive a standard transmission. It's just not common enough.

ZV

I'm not trying to be an asshole or condascend anyone, but damn I'm glad I learned to drive in a "tough" country. I stopped on a yellow hatched "Keep Clear" bit of road on my test, and the only reason I passed is because I told the instructor what I had done and apologised.

Do you have two different types of licenses over there too- manual/automatic and automatic-only?

Meh. Race training is even better. PCA autocross is a blast.

I do like Germany's system better than the US one, and I agree about the UK's two-license system.

ZV

 

[Chaotic42]

I put it in 1st or reverse, depending on the slant of the hill, curb the wheels, and use the e-brake.

 

[Minjin]

If the car is facing downhill and you put it in reverse, you're trying to turn the engine in the reverse direction as normal. If the engine has a timing belt, its very possible that when you go to start it up that it'll skip a tooth because of the slightly slack in the belt.

The same holds true for the opposite situation.

Mark

 

[JulesMaximus]

I always leave it in gear and use the e-brake. It's a good habit to get into.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Siddhartha
No, I use the emergency brake. If something happens like getting rear ended, I rather not trash my drive train.

I've owned manual transmission cars for almost 20 years and that's never happened to me. Does your car frequently get rear ended when it's parked?

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Whisper
I generally leave it in neutral when I park, unless I'm on a fairly pronounced hill. It's just force of habit.

 

[TBone48]

The remote starters won't work on a car w/a manual trans because you need to depress the clutch pedal or the car won't start. There is an interlock. CAn it be (legally) disabled to allow remote starting?

The interlock is on newer cars. I don't know what year they became required. My '88 Escort had it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Minjin
If the car is facing downhill and you put it in reverse, you're trying to turn the engine in the reverse direction as normal. If the engine has a timing belt, its very possible that when you go to start it up that it'll skip a tooth because of the slightly slack in the belt.

The same holds true for the opposite situation.

Mark

Got any proof to back up that ridiculous claim? I've never heard that before. Once you push the clutch in you take away any force that was acting on the drivetrain.

 

[Koing]

I always leave it in neutral when I park. Sod the hillls and if my hand break fails then f0ck that

Koing

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can't believe how many of you leave your car in neutral and rely exclusively on the hand brake. What happens if your car rolls down a hill and kills a toddler riding his bike? Nobody expects this to happen but obviously it can and does happen. Why wouldn't you take every precaution you can? It is your car and your responsibility to make sure that it doesn't roll away when you're not around.

Why do you think automatic transmission cars require you to have the car in park in order for you to take your keys out of the ignition? Here's a clue: It's a safety feature!!!

Please, leave your car in gear and use your parking brake! Always!!!

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Minjin
If the car is facing downhill and you put it in reverse, you're trying to turn the engine in the reverse direction as normal. If the engine has a timing belt, its very possible that when you go to start it up that it'll skip a tooth because of the slightly slack in the belt.

The same holds true for the opposite situation.

Mark

Got any proof to back up that ridiculous claim? I've never heard that before. Once you push the clutch in you take away any force that was acting on the drivetrain.

Proof? I've seen it happen? Anyone who has ever changed a timing belt can understand what I'm saying.

Mark

 

[Xionide]

I leave it in neutral so if someone hits my car while its parked. I still have a transmission.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Minjin
If the car is facing downhill and you put it in reverse, you're trying to turn the engine in the reverse direction as normal. If the engine has a timing belt, its very possible that when you go to start it up that it'll skip a tooth because of the slightly slack in the belt.

The same holds true for the opposite situation.

Mark

Got any proof to back up that ridiculous claim? I've never heard that before. Once you push the clutch in you take away any force that was acting on the drivetrain.

Proof? I've seen it happen? Anyone who has ever changed a timing belt can understand what I'm saying.

Mark

That car must have been well past the recommended change interval on the timing belt. Timing belts don't just skip a tooth.

How did you see it happen? Do you have a clear timing belt cover on your car?

 

[montanafan]

I put it in first gear when on an uphill incline and in reverse when it's pointed downhill and set the emergency brake. I usually put it in whichever gear I'll be using when I pull out when it's on level ground and set the brake out of habit.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Minjin
Proof? I've seen it happen? Anyone who has ever changed a timing belt can understand what I'm saying.

Mark

That car must have been well past the recommended change interval on the timing belt. Timing belts don't just skip a tooth.

How did you see it happen? Do you have a clear timing belt cover on your car?

By "seen it happen" he means that one of his friends has some idiot mechanic tell him that after his timing belt snapped.

ZV

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Minjin
If the car is facing downhill and you put it in reverse, you're trying to turn the engine in the reverse direction as normal. If the engine has a timing belt, its very possible that when you go to start it up that it'll skip a tooth because of the slightly slack in the belt.

The same holds true for the opposite situation.

Mark

Got any proof to back up that ridiculous claim? I've never heard that before. Once you push the clutch in you take away any force that was acting on the drivetrain.

Proof? I've seen it happen? Anyone who has ever changed a timing belt can understand what I'm saying.

Mark

That car must have been well past the recommended change interval on the timing belt. Timing belts don't just skip a tooth.

How did you see it happen? Do you have a clear timing belt cover on your car?

I've worked as a mechanic. I've seen and worked on the aftermath. Often the customer just comes in wondering why their car is running rough or doesn't have as much power as normal. Always check to make sure the marks are lined up. And yes, timing belts can just skip a tooth. Does it happen all the time? Obviously not. But its something that can and DOES happen.

Mark

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: spanky
to go put ur car in gear after you park? i just pull the e-brake up and leave it in neutral. i am asking becuz i have heard that places will not install remote start in man trans cars becuz some ppl park in gear, and if they use remote start... something either in front or behind the car is gonna get smashed.

remote start is not smart for manual. You will at least in one time in driving one start in gear by mistake if you are a dedicated neutral/ebrake user.

When you are behind the wheel you can feel it...when the alarm is starting the car *bang*.

This will more than likely have to be a DIY project as I wouldn't want to take on that liability as an installer.