Does parking a truck or car on an incline damage the transmission?

Question

I think my Ford Ranger transmission is slipping a little, because when i back out of my inlcined drive way, and put it in gear, there is a slight but noticable hesistation. Happens from reverse to drive and drive to reverse. Should i park it on level ground?

Answer 1

There are a combination of things you are talking about.

The act of parking on an incline will not damage the transmission if you follow the correct procedure.

When parking 1. Keep your foot on the brake pedal, 2. apply the parking brake, 3. put the car in park, 4. gently release the brake pedal.

When getting ready to drive off. 1 apply the brake pedal, 2. put the transmission into gear 3. release the parking brake, 4. gently release the brake pedal as you apply the gas.

As for the slipping and hesitation. There is a posibility that you are simply taking up slack in the drive line. The "U" joints may be worn and the pinon gear in the rear end may be worn. These combined can make it seem the transmission is hesitating.

I would suggest that you take your truck to a transmission shop that has a VERY good reputation. Explain what is seems to be doing. They will suggest apporpraite action upon inspecting and driving your truck.

If you are a AAA member they have certified shops to take your truck to.

Answer 2

The trans slipping as you described is probably not related to parking on a incline/decline. You probably have a bad seal/burned clutch plate/band inside the trans.
Also check the fluid level, a low level will give you the same slipping feeling. But back to your original thought, yes parking on an incline/decline can damage your trans, usually to the park pawl mechanism. Your trans could get stuck in park if the park pawl jams. Taking the vehicle weight off the trans (ie. tow truck pushes car uphill a couple of inches) can unstick a park pawl. Always use park brake on hills. Hope this helped!!!

Answer 3

No, Parking on an incline has no effect on your transmission. If your transmission is hesitating I would suggets getting the fluid and filter changed in the transmission. If this does not help the the pump in your transmission is getting weak and eventually you will need a rebuild when the pump fails

Answer 4

No parking on an incline does not hurt your transmission.It would be wise to use your parking brake tho.But as far as doing damage no it does not hurt it at all as I,m sure a lot of people have to park on an incline and they obviously do not all have bad transmissions LOL.

Answer 5

Check your fluid level in your tranny. Remember to do it with the engine running for about 3-4 min before checking and on level ground Also ,on an incline ,with your foot on the brake (and keep it there) put the tranny in park and then set the emergency brake before letting off the foot brake.In reverse ,put vehicle in gear and with your foot still on the brake and then let off the emergancy brake and you will save on your tranny

Answer 6

The hesitation is your engine not gettin enough tourq to move up the incline. Happens to all cars, nutton bad. But make sure you turn you wheels when you park on a incline.

Answer 7

Parking on a incline can put stress on your u-joints to the rear end. Sounds to me like maybe your trans, modulator valve is going bad. it is located on the side of the trans. regulates fluid pressure for shifting. Cheap fix if thats it. Good luck

Answer 8

You might want to contact a service technician at ford to see if there is the chance of damage depending on how you park.

Answer 9

In the long run, yes. Make sure your 'park' brake works well, and when you 'park' anywhere regardless, engage your park brake before letting off the 'main' brake pedal and also put it in "Park" before you remove your foot from your 'regular' brake pedal

Answer 10

not as long as you apply the E-brake FIRST, then put it in park. don't do the opposite, because then the stress is on the parking tab instead of the brake.