Park in Gear - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 05-24-2013, 06:32 AM

Do you park your car in gear?

Flavor 987S · 05-24-2013, 06:46 AM

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 · 05-24-2013, 06:47 AM

Nope! That's why they have parking brakes.

stephen wilson · 05-24-2013, 07:10 AM

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

House72 · 05-24-2013, 07:22 AM

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

kk2002s · 05-24-2013, 07:33 AM

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

Keith Newby · 05-24-2013, 07:31 AM

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.

Overdrive · 05-24-2013, 12:22 PM

I don't put the car in gear, just not a habit of mine, and if I started doing it I'd have several instances of forgetting that I did so when I start the car. If I had to park on a steep enough incline I may do so along with the e-brake. Or if I went to a track day of some sort where the brakes are going to be blazing hot when I stop running, I'd put it in gear to park it instead of using the e-brake, but that's about it.

Perfectlap · 11-14-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrive

I don't put the car in gear, just not a habit of mine, and if I started doing it I'd have several instances of forgetting that I did so when I start the car..

My mechanic parks in gear, he did me the favor of leaving the car out since I was coming over after they closed. I got into the car when it was pitch dark out, it lurched foward and scratched the front bumper against the bumper of an old Cadillac or something. Not going to buff out but I'm do for a respray

At any rate..

bump..

pothole · 11-14-2013, 01:06 PM

No, not unless parked on a very steep gradient.

san rensho · 11-14-2013, 05:10 PM

Only park in gear, never use the parking brake. I left the parking brake on a VW that I had put away for the winter in the driveway. The pads rusted to the drums and i had to drag the car to break it loose.

If you put on the parking brake after a track session, the same thing happens.

Parking brakes are worthless, unless you are into drifting, to use it to get the rear end to slide going into a corner.

You will never be able to use it an an emergency to slow the car down significantly. Just don't use it.

jsceash · 11-14-2013, 05:50 PM

I park in gear, And only really use the e-brake if the engine is running and setting. Say warming up in the driveway or garage

RawleyD · 11-14-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by san rensho

Parking brakes are worthless, unless you are into drifting, to use it to get the rear end to slide going into a corner.

You will never be able to use it an an emergency to slow the car down significantly. Just don't use it.

That's why they are not called Emergency brakes anymore.. they are Parking brakes

Bmod986 · 11-14-2013, 09:39 PM

Im going to be honest with you guys my hand brake is broken/ I have to tighten it or replace cable if it is stretched. But regardless I still park in gear always have and I still put up the hand brake. My friends have asked me why I use the hand brake if it doesn't work, I just do it out of reflex.

particlewave · 11-14-2013, 09:53 PM

I use the parking brake for parking...no explanation needed

Seriously, though. Parking brakes were made for that and have never failed me. Parking in gear seems odd to me, but I do also crank the wheel toward the curb just in case the parking brake has a failure.

986_c6 · 11-15-2013, 12:05 AM

Just answering the question here and not saying it is right or wrong, but I have been parking in gear for 24 years.

What I notice more with mechanics/body shops/dealer cars that they leave the gear in and the parking brake off all the time.

gregdacat · 11-15-2013, 02:55 AM

I have always owned cars with manual transmissions and back in the day would only use the parking brake. Then I owned an '86 Chev Celebrity with a 4 speed manual that had a nasty habit of rolling away when parked. Took it to the dealer several times and they could never get the parking brake to hold by itself. I have been leaving my cars in gear, along with the parking brake ever since.

Timco · 11-15-2013, 03:20 AM

Dad always drove a stick. Always.

Taught me to put it in gear. 2nd. Always have. I've had 2 friends with vehicles that rolled back on small inclines. One was slowly making a get away maybe 200' down the drive and into the road. Someone knocked on his door.

BUT, this is my (and my or my wife's entire family) first Porsche so I'm open to learning.