Park in Gear

[Flavor 987S]

Never during winter hibernation. I roll the car by hand every month to further eliminate flat spots.

Rarely on my weekend drives, unless I am on a major incline, along with the parking brake.

Not in my garages either. Flat as a board. Cars don't move.

Why do you ask, PL??

[EssexPorsche]

Nope! That's why they have parking brakes.

[stephen wilson]

You need a third option, sometimes. I will put it in gear as a backup if parked on an incline.

[House72]

I park in gear, but bring it to neutral before staring the car again.

[kk2002s]

I typically only park in gear
The Parking brakes can freeze in the winter with wet conditions
In warmer wet weather, they stick because of the minor rusting
On any incline parking, parking brake yes, in gear yes
Level ground In gear yes no parking brake

My mustang GT, in cold weather, was a bear to shift into 2nd until warmed up. I found leaving it parked in 2nd made it a bit easier to shift

[EssexPorsche]

Guys,
If you park in gear assuming its a forward gear, and some body hits the car from the front whilst parked, its not just body work you will be replacing....its tranny as well. Parking brakes have been around for a very very long time. Thats what they are for.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by EssexPorsche

Guys,
If you park in gear assuming its a forward gear, and some body hits the car from the front whilst parked, its not just body work you will be replacing....its tranny as well.

I don't think so. I've pushed my car, when in gear (5th), after winter hibernation, just to make sure the engine did not sieze, prior to starting. And to pull a fresh film of oil down. No issues. I don't do this anymore, but did in the past.

Maybe your right. I really don't know. Maybe the difference is pushing the car vs. an abrupt push/bang on the tranny.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by EssexPorsche

Guys,
If you park in gear assuming its a forward gear, and some body hits the car from the front whilst parked, its not just body work you will be replacing....its tranny as well. Parking brakes have been around for a very very long time. Thats what they are for.

I hear what you're saying and I had the same concern but I have to say that this is not necessarily so. Car was parked in 1st gear, no parking brake, rear-ended by car going 45-50mph. Car totaled, engine/transmission is fine and being swapped into another car as we speak.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43878-ahhh-my-car-hit-bad-today.html

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-racing-forum/46070-spec-boxster-build.html

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by EssexPorsche

Guys,
If you park in gear assuming its a forward gear, and some body hits the car from the front whilst parked, its not just body work you will be replacing....its tranny as well. Parking brakes have been around for a very very long time. Thats what they are for.

That's just way too theoretical for me. Been parkin' in gear for nearly 40 years now, never once been so much as tapped by another vehicle in all that time. B'sides, the Box is now 12 years old...somebody smacks it hard enough to damage the tranny, damage to the bodywork alone will be enough to total the car!

[Keith Newby]

I always park in gear...just good insurance. However, a friend of my father said to park in second gear rather than first to lessen the possibility of a chipped gear tooth in case someone bumps your car while parking.