MT Drivers: What Gear Do you Leave Your Car in When Parked?

weaksauce · 01-25-2013, 10:46 AM

Always used to leave in first as with every other car I've owned, but now I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing left in 2nd!

weaksauce · 01-25-2013, 10:47 AM

Oops. Poll didn't work. How do you add a poll after posting?

M3 Esq. · 01-25-2013, 11:11 AM

I always left mine in 2nd.

m3an · 01-25-2013, 11:40 AM

this thread fits your screenname to a T

Ghetto2315 · 01-25-2013, 11:44 AM

Always in 1st and no rhyme or reason to it, but I'm curious as to why leave it in 2nd?

WingZeroX5 · 01-25-2013, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3an

this thread fits your screenname to a T

I thought it was his other thread complaining about the indicator stalk

etrillion · 01-25-2013, 11:59 AM

I leave mine in 1st

mdefalco25 · 01-25-2013, 12:07 PM

1st for me. Not really sure too many people care how pleasing it looks in 2nd, but to each their own.

///M3THOD · 01-25-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3an

this thread fits your screenname to a T

..lol.

..well played.

Prince_of_Persia · 01-25-2013, 12:24 PM

If my car is pointing uphill = 1st gear + Hand Brake
If my car pointing downhill = Reverse + Hand Brake
Other situations (flat) = Hand Brake only

kchu221 · 01-25-2013, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

If my car is pointing uphill = 1st gear + Hand Brake
If my car pointing downhill = Reverse + Hand Brake
Other situations = Hand Brake only

+1 exactly how i do it... its a noob question but is there any damage to the trans or e brake when its only left parked with just the e brake on and not put into ant gear when parked on a flat??

happos2 · 01-25-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchu221

+1 exactly how i do it... its a noob question but is there any damage to the trans or e brake when its only left parked with just the e brake on and not put into ant gear when parked on a flat??

Answer is no. And put on your flame suit.

Tomislav · 01-25-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

If my car is pointing uphill = 1st gear + Hand Brake
If my car pointing downhill = Reverse + Hand Brake
Other situations (flat) = Hand Brake only

This

JC919 · 01-25-2013, 01:01 PM

1st, but then again I live in Houston, so wtf is a hill?

m3an · 01-25-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchu221

+1 exactly how i do it... its a noob question but is there any damage to the trans or e brake when its only left parked with just the e brake on and not put into ant gear when parked on a flat??

; that would be neutral

Quote:

Originally Posted by happos2

Answer is no. And put on your flame suit.

x10000000000000000000000000000000000000000

anacondatp · 01-25-2013, 01:07 PM

i have never left it in gear... just handbrake only. is there a logical reason or technical reason to leave it in gear? this is a serious question because i seriously don't know

m3an · 01-25-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anacondatp

i have never left it in gear... just handbrake only. is there a logical reason or technical reason to leave it in gear? this is a serious question because i seriously don't know

yes, as it won't allow the car to move if the (weak) handbrake fails to hold the car. Sometimes cars roll. It's to each his own, leave in gear or neutral. But on inclines I would not trust the ebrake and leave in gear

And1M3 · 01-25-2013, 01:16 PM

Start mines on 1st.

jphughan · 01-25-2013, 01:23 PM

The 6MT M3 has a gear specifically designed to be used while parking, regardless of incline and direction. It's undocumented, but you put the shifter in the hidden gate directly underneath Reverse.

Seriously though, 1st when pointing uphill, Reverse when pointing downhill, and I'll typically put it in 1st when level just out of habit. I don't think there's much difference between 1st and 2nd except that 1st gives more resistance, with the tradeoff that it could theoretically put more strain on the gearbox.

Leaving it in Neutral definitely will NOT cause any problems with the gearbox (just the opposite in fact, Neutral is the easiest on the gearbox of all options), but if you want maximum hold resistance AND very little strain on the gearbox, when parking on a hill, follow this procedure:

1. Get your car parked and your wheels turned whichever way is appropriate for the direction of your incline.

2. Clutch in, foot on the brake, shift to Neutral.

3. Pull parking brake all the way, release foot brake. The car will roll slightly and rest on the parking brake.

4. Shift into 1st or Reverse as appropriate, turn engine off, clutch out.

That way you put all of the resistance load on the brakes rather than the gearbox, but the gearbox is still engaged to provide a backup source of resistance if the brakes fail somehow. If you park the way most people do when lazy, i.e. turning the engine off with your foot still on the brake and the car in gear, the car will stop rolling sooner after you let off the foot brake because the gearbox catches faster than the parking brake (assuming you even set the parking brake), but then you've got strain on your gearbox.

Note that the above procedure minus the clutch work and shifting to P in the end would deliver the same benefits to a car with DCT or even a slushbox too.

Crypty · 01-25-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

If my car is pointing uphill = 1st gear + Hand Brake
If my car pointing downhill = Reverse + Hand Brake
Other situations (flat) = Hand Brake only

Exactly what I do. And since this thread is based on OCD ill exacerbate it. If you are parked in gear and someone drives into your car with enough force, it could theoretically damage your drive train.

W/// · 01-25-2013, 01:29 PM

Uphill = 1st gear
Downhill = reverse gear

Always leave ebrake on no matter what.

anacondatp · 01-25-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphughan

The 6MT M3 has a gear specifically designed to be used while parking, regardless of incline and direction. It's undocumented, but you put the shifter in the hidden gate directly underneath Reverse.

Seriously though, 1st when pointing uphill, Reverse when pointing downhill, and I'll typically put it in 1st when level just out of habit. I don't think there's much difference between 1st and 2nd except that 1st gives more resistance, with the tradeoff that it could theoretically put more strain on the gearbox.

Leaving it in Neutral definitely will NOT cause any problems with the gearbox (just the opposite in fact, Neutral is the easiest on the gearbox of all options), but if you want maximum hold resistance AND very little strain on the gearbox, when parking on a hill, follow this procedure:

1. Get your car parked and your wheels turned whichever way is appropriate for the direction of your incline.

2. Clutch in, foot on the brake, shift to Neutral.

3. Pull parking brake all the way, release foot brake. The car will roll slightly and rest on the emergency brake.

4. Shift into 1st or Reverse as appropriate, turn engine off, clutch out.

That way you put all of the resistance load on the brakes rather than the gearbox, but the gearbox is still engaged to provide a backup source of resistance if the brakes fail somehow.

awesome guide. will definitely follow

01-25-2013, 10:46 AM	#1
weaksauce Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 e92 M3 6MT SSII Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 213 iTrader: (0)	MT Drivers: What Gear Do you Leave Your Car in When Parked? Always used to leave in first as with every other car I've owned, but now I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing left in 2nd!
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01-25-2013, 11:11 AM	#3
M3 Esq. Mind of an effing scientist. Drives: Safely Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT Posts: 1,094 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 328i XDrive [0.50] 2013 BMW M3 [0.50]	I always left mine in 2nd. __________________ 2013 M3 Coupe Jerezschwarz/Speed Cloth/Competition/DCT/BMW PE/CF Bits/Dinan Goodies/Volk TE37SL 2011 328i XDrive Alpineweiss/Premium/Convenience/Sport

01-25-2013, 12:24 PM	#10
Prince_of_Persia Colonel Drives: 6MT E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 2,199 iTrader: (1)	If my car is pointing uphill = 1st gear + Hand Brake If my car pointing downhill = Reverse + Hand Brake Other situations (flat) = Hand Brake only __________________ AW\|FR 6MT E92 ///M3

01-25-2013, 01:01 PM	#14
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 08 e92 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston & Lake Travis, TX Posts: 1,755 iTrader: (0)	1st, but then again I live in Houston, so wtf is a hill? __________________ 2008 AW/Blk 6MT, Akrapovic Evolution, Evosport Pulley, ESS Tune, Dinan Camber Plates, H&R Springs, Braille LWB, Other Track Goodies, TRMotorsport MT1 18s w/Michelin PSS and Hoosier R6

01-25-2013, 01:07 PM	#16
anacondatp Private First Class Drives: 10' E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 170 iTrader: (2)	i have never left it in gear... just handbrake only. is there a logical reason or technical reason to leave it in gear? this is a serious question because i seriously don't know __________________ 10' E92 M3 6MT

01-25-2013, 10:47 AM	#2
weaksauce Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 e92 M3 6MT SSII Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 213 iTrader: (0)	Oops. Poll didn't work. How do you add a poll after posting?

01-25-2013, 11:40 AM	#4
m3an Banned Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,612 iTrader: (2)	this thread fits your screenname to a T

01-25-2013, 11:44 AM	#5
Ghetto2315 Captain Drives: Like I Stole It... Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 805 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E92 [3.20] 2010 GENESIS COUPE ... [5.00] 2001 JEEP WRANGLER ... [5.00]	Always in 1st and no rhyme or reason to it, but I'm curious as to why leave it in 2nd?

01-25-2013, 11:59 AM	#7
etrillion Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 228 iTrader: (1)	I leave mine in 1st

01-25-2013, 12:07 PM	#8
mdefalco25 Private First Class Drives: E92 AW 6MT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Normal, IL Posts: 121 iTrader: (0)	1st for me. Not really sure too many people care how pleasing it looks in 2nd, but to each their own.

01-25-2013, 01:16 PM	#18
And1M3 Captain Drives: 2013 M3 MR FR/Bk Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 873 iTrader: (6)	Start mines on 1st. __________________ Click Here 13 MR E92 Build -Akrapovic slip on, Varis, BBS E88, Mode Carbon Lip + Side Skirt, LUX H8, KW Clubsport, ESS Tune + ACM Test Pipes, OEM CF spoiler, OEM CF mirror cover

01-25-2013, 01:23 PM	#19
jphughan Colonel Drives: 2011.75 M3 E92 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,219 iTrader: (0)	The 6MT M3 has a gear specifically designed to be used while parking, regardless of incline and direction. It's undocumented, but you put the shifter in the hidden gate directly underneath Reverse. Seriously though, 1st when pointing uphill, Reverse when pointing downhill, and I'll typically put it in 1st when level just out of habit. I don't think there's much difference between 1st and 2nd except that 1st gives more resistance, with the tradeoff that it could theoretically put more strain on the gearbox. Leaving it in Neutral definitely will NOT cause any problems with the gearbox (just the opposite in fact, Neutral is the easiest on the gearbox of all options), but if you want maximum hold resistance AND very little strain on the gearbox, when parking on a hill, follow this procedure: 1. Get your car parked and your wheels turned whichever way is appropriate for the direction of your incline. 2. Clutch in, foot on the brake, shift to Neutral. 3. Pull parking brake all the way, release foot brake. The car will roll slightly and rest on the parking brake. 4. Shift into 1st or Reverse as appropriate, turn engine off, clutch out. That way you put all of the resistance load on the brakes rather than the gearbox, but the gearbox is still engaged to provide a backup source of resistance if the brakes fail somehow. If you park the way most people do when lazy, i.e. turning the engine off with your foot still on the brake and the car in gear, the car will stop rolling sooner after you let off the foot brake because the gearbox catches faster than the parking brake (assuming you even set the parking brake), but then you've got strain on your gearbox. Note that the above procedure minus the clutch work and shifting to P in the end would deliver the same benefits to a car with DCT or even a slushbox too. __________________ 11 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT \| Premium 2 \| Convenience \| 19" \| EDC \| Prem Audio \| Moonroof \| BMW Apps \| Vorshlag Adjustable Camber Plates \| StopTech Street Perf Pads \| Castrol SRF Fluid \| ModMyNav.com rear camera Last edited by jphughan; 01-25-2013 at 01:38 PM.

01-25-2013, 01:29 PM	#21
W/// Major Drives: E30 Vert & E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC Posts: 1,461 iTrader: (2)	Uphill = 1st gear Downhill = reverse gear Always leave ebrake on no matter what. __________________ 2008 E92 M3: Sparkling Graphite \| Bamboo Beige \| 6MT \| CF Roof \| OEM ZCP Wheels \| Fully Catless Borla S-Type \| BPM Stage II Tune & Coding \| RS Technik Spacers (12F/12R)

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