Parking gear-1st or R?

[goBoating]

2006 WRX Owner's Manual says:

Parking tips
When parking your vehicle, always set the
parking brake firmly and put the shift lever
in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Reverse)
for a downgrade for manual transmission
vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) position
for automatic transmission vehicles.
Always set the parking brake firmly when
parking your vehicle. Never rely on the
transmission alone to hold the vehicle.

[04.SPT.WRX]

Originally Posted by brfatal

If you're on a steep hill, put it in the gear that's the opposite of the direction it would roll.

Aye.

BTW - it's a parking brake, not an emergency brake.

[Mehdik]

Originally Posted by ZACK777

E brake and 1st on flat ground.
E brake and 1st facing up hill with wheel cut.
E brake and R facing down hill with wheel cut.

ditto

[CarbonXe]

I always leave it in 1st gear with the e-brake on. I've never had to park on a steep though, so I don't bother cutting the wheel.

[shamrock]

I only do this in the winter (leaving it in gear) rest of the year its just the parking break

[Trainrex]

[/QUOTE]Just make sure you leave the car in a low gear with the parking brake on. It makes no difference if it's reverse or first, the engine can spin backwards.

[lytlec]

Ha I never park on any hills and I always just use the E-brake...its funny...cause the other day I got my oil changed and they had it in first gear with E brake on...so yeah...I turn it on..let the clutch out...ahh...ya'll know the rest...I felt like a tool....

[Walkman]

And don't forget to turn your wheels so they lock you against the curb! My dad's still a stickler about this. I'm pretty sure that back in the day, cars would commonly just start rolling from a dead stop...

[Wrxthekid]

Originally Posted by akpak

s what I do:
Level: 1st +E-brake
Downhill: R+E-brake (Wheels to right)
Uphill: 1st+E-brake (Wheel to left)



Thanks

Dude your pretty much correct in all your example. Just remember that 1st is the strongest gear, at least how i was taught. And i usually always put my E-brake up.

[Jeffp25]

I grew up in England and learned to drive there. I was always told to NEVER leave a car in gear when parked, except in extreme cases (very steep hill).

When I first started driving in the US, it took a major effort for me to remember to always check that the vehicle was not in gear before starting (in the days before interlocks prevented a vehicle from starting unless the clutch is pressed in).

If you just use the parking break, there's always the risk that you'll forget, or (in someone elses vehicle) that the break hasn't been maintained and won't hold. I've tried to make the common US method (leaving the vehicle in gear) automatic, but still forget most times, just using the parking break.

I've only forgotten the parking break twice, and both times I could tell by the vehicle moving as I got out, and quickly jumped back in and set it!

[RayfieldsWRX]

For 25 years I've left it in 1st with the parking brake on, regardless of circumstances. Seems logical to have your bases covered.

My next-door neighbor always did the technique described above (brake but not in gear) with his Acura, on a driveway which had a very slight incline. One morning the car was in the front yard of the house across the street, 6 feet from their front door.

You get in the habit of doing both, and of checking both as you start your engine. It's really not a big deal.

[wrx0131]

Originally Posted by RayfieldsWRX

For 25 years I've left it in 1st with the parking brake on, regardless of circumstances. Seems logical to have your bases covered.

My next-door neighbor always did the technique described above (brake but not in gear) with his Acura, on a driveway which had a very slight incline. One morning the car was in the front yard of the house across the street, 6 feet from their front door.

You get in the habit of doing both, and of checking both as you start your engine. It's really not a big deal.

yup

I always check to make sure my car is in neutral before letting go of the clutch. My friends use to put it in gear after i parked in hopes of seeing me stall. Too bad it didnt work

[03subiedude]

i just leave mine with the brake on in "n" if its in my garage, otherwise its either in "r" or "1st", but thats just me and how i learned...