Parking gear

[ifcar]

Which gear do you park in and why? I was always taught 1st, but never with any explanation.

[Raza]

I park handbrake on and in first gear.  First gear has the highest rolling resistance of any forward gear, making it a better choice than 2-6.  I was told never to trust a handbrake, and it stuck, especially after watching Richard Hammond's Zonda's handbrake fail in a Paris car park. 

Also, you should add "reverse" and "neutral" to the poll.  I know a lot of people who don't park in gear and all Saab manuals have to be parked in reverse. 

[MX793]

On flat ground, neutral with the parking brake.  On hills, first or reverse (again, with parking brake) depending on if I'm pointing up or down hill.

[J86]

Completely mood dependent

[Eye of the Tiger]

1st or reverse. Parking in higher gears just lowers you parking power.

[heelntoe]

I park handbrake on and in first gear.  First gear has the highest rolling resistance of any forward gear, making it a better choice than 2-6.  I was told never to trust a handbrake, and it stuck, especially after watching Richard Hammond's Zonda's handbrake fail in a Paris car park. 

Also, you should add "reverse" and "neutral" to the poll.  I know a lot of people who don't park in gear and all Saab manuals have to be parked in reverse. 

I think reverse has a higher rolling resistance. I just use reverse for the convenience of it. I just clutch in, start the car and roll out of my parking on the clutch.
Another thing i remember people saying is that when push starting a car, always use 2nd gear.

[MX793]

I think reverse has a higher rolling resistance. I just use reverse for the convenience of it. I just clutch in, start the car and roll out of my parking on the clutch.
Another thing i remember people saying is that when push starting a car, always use 2nd gear.

Reverse ratio is typically taller than 1st (often somewhere between 1st and 2nd), so it's generally easier to roll a car in reverse than 1st.

[heelntoe]

Hmm, my car always felt quicker in reverse though.

[MX793]

Hmm, my car always felt quicker in reverse though.

It probably is faster in reverse than first, that's what a taller gear ratio gets you (e.g. second gear is taller than first, third is taller than second, and so on).  The taller the gear ratio, the easier it is to make the car roll in gear because the inverse gear ratio is shorter (meaning it takes less torque at the wheels to turn the engine over).

[ifcar]

So no one here is saying so far they use 2nd -- why do I so often see it done?

[giant_mtb]

So no one here is saying so far they use 2nd -- why do I so often see it done?

Well, I dunno what sort of situation you often see it done in.  But perhaps while cruising down the street, Mr. Driver sees a parking spot.  He drives into it (or coasts) while in second gear because he's going 20 MPH and there's no reason to be in first gear.  He gets into the parking spot, doesn't bother to change to first gear, throws on the parking brake, and calls it good.

Perhaps.

[Cookie Monster]

Neutral on flat ground, first on hills.

If I ever get to drive stick, that is.

[heelntoe]

So no one here is saying so far they use 2nd -- why do I so often see it done?

I park in 3rd sometimes because I get lazy and just push the shifter forward as i'm getting out...

It probably is faster in reverse than first, that's what a taller gear ratio gets you (e.g. second gear is taller than first, third is taller than second, and so on).  The taller the gear ratio, the easier it is to make the car roll in gear because the inverse gear ratio is shorter (meaning it takes less torque at the wheels to turn the engine over).

Ahh, thanks. I still have some questions, but I don't think I will understand anyway, hehe.

[Cookie Monster]

It probably is faster in reverse than first, that's what a taller gear ratio gets you (e.g. second gear is taller than first, third is taller than second, and so on).  The taller the gear ratio, the easier it is to make the car roll in gear because the inverse gear ratio is shorter (meaning it takes less torque at the wheels to turn the engine over).

Then wouldn't it be better to park in 5th or 6th?

[heelntoe]

Then wouldn't it be better to park in 5th or 6th?

No, He said it will have less rolling resistance, so that means it will take a lot less effort to turn the engine over in higher gears.

[Cookie Monster]

No, He said it will have less rolling resistance, so that means it will take a lot less effort to turn the engine over in higher gears.

Then if reverse is even taller than 1st shouldn't you park in that?

[MX793]

Then wouldn't it be better to park in 5th or 6th?

No, taller gears are easier to roll the car in.  You want to park in the shortest possible ratio, as that will be the gear that provides the greatest resistance.  A short ratio multiplies torque going from the engine to wheels more, but when that torque goes the other way (from the wheels to the engine), it reduces it more.  If your total drive ratio is 12:1 in first gear, then the ratio from the wheels to motor is 1:12 (the engine turns 12 times for every one turn of the wheels).  That means that torque applied to the wheels gets reduced by 12.  In fifth gear, that ratio might only be 1:3, so torque applied to the wheels is only cut to 1/3 when it reaches the engine.  If the engine can provide 50 lb-ft of resistance, it would take 600 lb-ft at the wheels to turn the engine over (and make the car roll) in 1st gear versus only 150 lb-ft to make the engine turn in 5th.  That's why engine braking is stronger in shorter gears.

[heelntoe]

Then if reverse is even taller than 1st shouldn't you park in that?

I should, but I don't, mainly because I'm worried that if I ever crank the engine without clutching in, I'll go straight into a wall. In reverse, i'll just back up a bit...

[VTEC_Inside]

I should, but I don't, mainly because I'm worried that if I ever crank the engine without clutching in, I'll go straight into a wall. In reverse, i'll just back up a bit...

You own (or have access to) a car without a clutch safety switch?

[93JC]

I'm pretty sure clutch starter interlocks are a North American thing only.

[the Teuton]

First on flat ground or uphill, reverse facing downhill.  E-brake depending on the situation.

[heelntoe]

We have those here too, just not on my car...

I once ran out of fuel and cranked the starter in gear to get it to the gas station. I think i read something similar either here or on C&D(i'm thinking it was something mark posted)

[heelntoe]

First on flat ground or uphill, reverse facing downhill.  E-brake depending on the situation.

what?
unless I am mistaking E-brake for something else, i use the E-brake even idling at stoplights...

[MX793]

what?
unless I am mistaking E-brake for something else, i use the E-brake even idling at stoplights...

E-brake = Parking Brake.  Sometimes also referred to as a handbrake if it happens to be hand-operated (vs a pedal type parking brake).

[S204STi]

So no one here is saying so far they use 2nd -- why do I so often see it done?

Sometimes 1st gear isn't syncronized on some cars, so 2nd is easier to slide it into.  That is the only reason why I have occasionally done it, like in older trucks with a 4 or 5 speed.

[S204STi]

No, taller gears are easier to roll the car in.  You want to park in the shortest possible ratio, as that will be the gear that provides the greatest resistance.  A short ratio multiplies torque going from the engine to wheels more, but when that torque goes the other way (from the wheels to the engine), it reduces it more.  If your total drive ratio is 12:1 in first gear, then the ratio from the wheels to motor is 1:12 (the engine turns 12 times for every one turn of the wheels).  That means that torque applied to the wheels gets reduced by 12.  In fifth gear, that ratio might only be 1:3, so torque applied to the wheels is only cut to 1/3 when it reaches the engine.  If the engine can provide 50 lb-ft of resistance, it would take 600 lb-ft at the wheels to turn the engine over (and make the car roll) in 1st gear versus only 150 lb-ft to make the engine turn in 5th.  That's why engine braking is stronger in shorter gears.

Thanks for that solid illustration.

[heelntoe]

E-brake = Parking Brake.  Sometimes also referred to as a handbrake if it happens to be hand-operated (vs a pedal type parking brake).

yeah, that's what i thought. thanks.

[ifcar]

Sometimes 1st gear isn't syncronized on some cars, so 2nd is easier to slide it into.  That is the only reason why I have occasionally done it, like in older trucks with a 4 or 5 speed.

So perhaps if you grew up on a car like that, or were taught stick by someone who grew up in a car like that, you'd end up with that habit?

[S204STi]

So perhaps if you grew up on a car like that, or were taught stick by someone who grew up in a car like that, you'd end up with that habit?

Yeah, that sounds plausible.  A lot of econoboxes don't have a syncro'd 1st gear either so there are good chances that it might happen like that.  Speculation of course.

[J86]

I probably leave it it second the most when I park in my driveway.  Usually come in with that gear, don't use the ebrake.