In gear or neutral
Discussion
TripleS said:
Philbes said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
And if her foot slips off the clutch?
Yes, that is a potential problem, but in general I'm more mindful of avoiding undue wear of the clutch release mechanism, so I aim to have my foot on the clutch pedal for as little time as possible, within reason.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
In over 10 million miles, our company fleet (over 200 cars, replaced every 5 years. Records of previous cars, and thus odometer readings, go back 20 years) very few (less than 100 cars) have suffered clutch release problems. LOTS of them suffered burnt/screwed up clutches as a result of people riding clutches (oops).
So, personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Millions of motorists do it in cars that can rack up over 100,000 miles, and this is not one of the common faults reported. If it was a common fault, then i'd expect a lot more people to suffer from this.
You don't. Then again, I'm no mechanic.
//edited to add:
I was "taught" (and by that, I mean I learnt the most from) my father, who always said "put it in gear". Sometimes, on nice level ground I don't bother, the handbrake is enough and is in always good working order (no handbrake turns for me!
). Other than that, always in gear. Always. Just incase. Guys, when you're gettin' some, why do you use condoms? Same principle as parking in gear. Costs you nothing to do (well, OK, condoms can cost a small bit in I.O.U's once you've nicked them from your mates desk at work during the christmas office party) and could save a lot of bother (and cost!!!)
Edited by razerwire on Friday 16th March 20:20
razerwire said:
In over 10 million miles, our company fleet (over 200 cars, replaced every 5 years. Records of previous cars, and thus odometer readings, go back 20 years) very few (less than 100 cars) have suffered clutch release problems. LOTS of them suffered burnt/screwed up clutches as a result of people riding clutches (oops).
So, personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Millions of motorists do it in cars that can rack up over 100,000 miles, and this is not one of the common faults reported. If it was a common fault, then i'd expect a lot more people to suffer from this.
You don't. Then again, I'm no mechanic.
So, personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Millions of motorists do it in cars that can rack up over 100,000 miles, and this is not one of the common faults reported. If it was a common fault, then i'd expect a lot more people to suffer from this.
You don't. Then again, I'm no mechanic.
OK fair enough, my worries about clutch release bearings may be unnecessary, but all the time you have your foot on the clutch pedal the friction facings may also be suffering wear, unless you can be sure of keeping the clutch fully disengaged.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Thank you for your replies. The question arose as I am teaching my daughter to drive at present and her instructor has said the DSA require it be parked in neutral.
In Paris they are taught to park in neutral with the hand brake off on the flat, then again parking in Paris is a contact sport.
In Paris they are taught to park in neutral with the hand brake off on the flat, then again parking in Paris is a contact sport.
Yes, the DSA do teach the park-in-neutral. However, ask any driving instructor as to what they do when they are parking up and leaving their car, and they will answer "in gear, all the time".
Remember, driving newbies wouldn't think to check for neutral or depress the clutch when firing the engine. Teaching them to leave it in neutral (during lessons and for the test anyway) is easier than having your car shoot forward and stall every time they step inside.
That, and on a decent modern car, the handbrake SHOULD be enough to hold the vehicle on the flat. It's just recommended that the car is left in gear ("Park" for us automatic users out there). Obviously, when you're on a slope, then leaving it in gear is more common sense than just a mere recommendation.
Remember, driving newbies wouldn't think to check for neutral or depress the clutch when firing the engine. Teaching them to leave it in neutral (during lessons and for the test anyway) is easier than having your car shoot forward and stall every time they step inside.
That, and on a decent modern car, the handbrake SHOULD be enough to hold the vehicle on the flat. It's just recommended that the car is left in gear ("Park" for us automatic users out there). Obviously, when you're on a slope, then leaving it in gear is more common sense than just a mere recommendation.
No one has mentioned the position of the handbrake lever relative to the driver's seat position.
By which I give, as example, myself and my wife.
I have the driver's seat in our cars on the rearmost setting, my wife sets them much further forward.
She finds that the handbrake position relative to the seat is such that she cannot exert as much leverage as I can when the seats are set to my position.
Consequently when I have applied the lever she needs two hands to release it.
So now I make sure I don't apply the handbrakes to my level of force and also leave the car in gear, if not garaged. She is also under instruction to leave the cars in gear.
We are not, nor tend to use, areas of "touch parking".
The car that is garaged, usually my Scooby, I leave in first gear, handbrake off.
By which I give, as example, myself and my wife.
I have the driver's seat in our cars on the rearmost setting, my wife sets them much further forward.
She finds that the handbrake position relative to the seat is such that she cannot exert as much leverage as I can when the seats are set to my position.
Consequently when I have applied the lever she needs two hands to release it.
So now I make sure I don't apply the handbrakes to my level of force and also leave the car in gear, if not garaged. She is also under instruction to leave the cars in gear.
We are not, nor tend to use, areas of "touch parking".
The car that is garaged, usually my Scooby, I leave in first gear, handbrake off.
Leaving a car in gear at the lights etc also puts the crankshaft thrust bearing under load, just a thought. the classic Maserati's I used to tend also had solid clutch release bearings that lasted just a few hours if you drove like that, modern roller bearing set up's should last a very long time.
Just to add:
Every time I park up (i.e. overnight, or over the weekend) it's always handbrake up, let the brake take the weight of the car, then into gear (or park in an auto).
When leaving it longer (i.e. 2+weeks) then it's in gear (or park, on an auto) and handbrake OFF.
On older cars, experience has taught me that 1st gear is infinately more efficient than the handbrake. I like to think of the handbrake in the old Landrover I used to drive years ago as more of a novelty toy than anything else.
Every time I park up (i.e. overnight, or over the weekend) it's always handbrake up, let the brake take the weight of the car, then into gear (or park in an auto).
When leaving it longer (i.e. 2+weeks) then it's in gear (or park, on an auto) and handbrake OFF.
On older cars, experience has taught me that 1st gear is infinately more efficient than the handbrake. I like to think of the handbrake in the old Landrover I used to drive years ago as more of a novelty toy than anything else.
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