What is the correct position for a stick shift when parked?

Question

I drive a stick shift and when I park I leave the car in netral and put the emergency brake on. Is this correct?

Answer 1

I disagree with the other answers that say it is OK to leave it in neutral. For safety reasons, always put it in gear just to help hold the car in position. Preferably either 1st gear or reverse gear.

This is especially important if you are parked uphill. A lot of the time the emergency brakes will not hold as well if the car is backing up.

get in the habit of putting it in gear every time, then it will become second nature and it may save you from having your car in an accident.

good luck.

Answer 2

You should ALWAYS put the car in gear with the brake on - hill or not. There is no advantage to leaving it in neutral, if the emergency brake fails it won't take much of an incline or a bump from some lousy driver to start it moving. If it's in gear, that's not a concern, it acts as a backup. Turning into the curb on steep hills is also a good idea for extra security.

And to the moron that said you have to remember to put the car in neutral before you start it - why? For years cars have lockout switches which prevent the starter from engaging unless the clutch is depressed, and even if you have an old car without this, just push in the clutch before starting, you're going to need to anyway before you go anywhere.

Just remember this - there is no negative to always leaving it in gear, but plenty of potential downside if you don't.

Answer 3

Park the car in 1st gear no matter which way you are facing (up or down hill ) with your wheels cut towards the curb.

First gear creates the most compression in the engine which will stop the car (or at least slow it) should the parking brake fail for some reason on a hill. Turning the wheels will insure that it won't drift far.

Answer 4

Nope not correct... it should be parked in either 1st gear or reverse depanding on if it is parked on flat ground or on a hill...

it is a good idea to also apply the emergency/parking brake as you have done when you parked it in neutral...

the reason for the car being in gear is the clutch couples the engine and transmission together so that the compression of the engine prevents the car from rolling even if it were to get bumped or hit by another car...

if pointed down hill it should be in reverse have wheels turned into the curb so if it should roll it goes over the curb and away form street traffic

if pointe up hill it should be in 1st geat (resistant to going backwards due to forward gear in trans) have wheels pointed away from curb so if it were to roll backward it would go over curb again away from street & traffic

many states drivers manuals tell you this

Walt

Answer 5

I always used the E-brake and left the car in gear. Next time you are in a safe area, apply the E-brake and then put the car in reverse. You will feel little resistance because they don't do much in reverse. Same with an automatic. I also turned my wheels toward the curb.

Answer 6

That's what I do with mine. I still run into people who leave it in first. This does help as an parking brake cause the car will not roll backwards. I'm sure either way is correct.

Answer 7

I always put it in reverse and set the parking break.
My first car was a POS dodge neon and I just set the parking break and left it in neutral. It was parked on a very slight incline and the brake failed and it rolled into the street.
I never just used one or the other since then. I use both.

Answer 8

You can leave it in neutral but check your local DMV. Some states require you (if you have a stick) to park in gear. The reason for this is so that if for some reason your car get rear ended or front, your car will not easily roll and can prevent less damage or injury. Also if you have one of those remote start, then you would have to park it in neutral. Just remember to put it in gear when parked on a hill.

Answer 9

I've driven a stick for years, and always put it in first gear before turning it off and setting the emergency break. You should also look in the owners manual to see what it says about parking you car. Hope this was helpful.

Answer 10

Correct - unless parked on a hill.

If you park facing uphill, leave it in first gear. Parking down hill, leave it in reverse.

In either case, should your parking brake fail, the resistance from the transmission/engine, will provide a chance the car won't just roll down hill.

But be sure your start up rountine definitely chcks if you are in neutral, before turning the engine.

Also, turn the wheels, when parked on a hill, so that if yur car rolls, it will turn & come up against the curb.