MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 10:51:58 am

Title: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 10:51:58 am: Does it cause any stress to leave the car in gear on a slope without engaging the handbrake?

My Mum's car sits for 2-3 weeks at a time and the brake pads are sticking to the discs so I have the above idea to remedy this.

The gradient is not particularly steep and the front of the car faces down. Should I leave it in reverse or any particular gear?

Cheers
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: GrayMK5GTI on March 23, 2014, 10:58:43 am: I leave mine in gear all the time. I had the handbrake fail on my Ford Focus a few years ago and it rolled into a wall. Don't trust handbrakes anymore - particularly when the car has rear disk brakes.

Pretty sure the Highway Code recommends leaving it in gear when on a hill.

Your best leaving it in reverse when facing down hill and in 1st when facing up hill
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: skard on March 23, 2014, 11:03:03 am: I always leave my car in gear, even the Tiguan with an ebrake.

I have done it wver since my 206 rolled back down the street years ago!
My mate who used to work away for a month at a time did it and he lives on a steep hill.
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 11:08:57 am: Thanks, but are you leaving it in gear only, without applying the handbrake?
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: GrayMK5GTI on March 23, 2014, 11:13:28 am: Quote from: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 11:08:57 am
Thanks, but are you leaving it in gear only, without applying the handbrake?

I use handbrake too. Belt & braces :happy2:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 11:16:20 am: I need to know if it's ok to just leave it in gear and not use the handbrake. :smiley:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: skard on March 23, 2014, 11:20:36 am: Yes he left his just in gear with chocks
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Andy on March 23, 2014, 11:39:39 am: Always leave mine in gear
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: doylebros on March 23, 2014, 08:00:34 pm: Quote from: Tortaruga on March 23, 2014, 11:16:20 am
I need to know if it's ok to just leave it in gear and not use the handbrake. :smiley:

Not a good idea "NOT TO USE THE HANDBRAKE" if the car in question is a VW!

Watch the video within the link

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/parking-brake-adjustment-or-removal-mk5-vw/
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Stevepd on March 23, 2014, 08:03:40 pm: This happened in work last wheel, a Subaru legacy rolled into a C class. I think it has one of those electronic HB :confused:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Shaw on March 23, 2014, 08:03:43 pm: Just to clarify before everyone rolls their cars into a bush. You cannot just leave a car in gear on a hill, it will initially hold the car but will slowly creep as the cylinders leak down then will pick up speed. You always need another method like the handbrake or some chocks (Or turning the tyre against the curb).

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: rich83 on March 23, 2014, 08:04:29 pm: My o/h leaves her car in gear and it drives me around the bend. In my opinion its a bad habit and unless you are parking on a steep hill then there is no reason to leave your car in gear.
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: Markyed30 on March 23, 2014, 08:55:32 pm: I think it's a good habit lol as I am the same altho now in park with dsg :signLOL:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: xjay1337 on March 23, 2014, 08:57:33 pm: Quote from: richwig83 on March 23, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
My o/h leaves her car in gear and it drives me around the bend. In my opinion its a bad habit and unless you are parking on a steep hill then there is no reason to leave your car in gear.

What car does Mrs Wigley-Manship drive?
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: rich83 on March 23, 2014, 09:24:18 pm: Quote from: xjay1337 on March 23, 2014, 08:57:33 pm
Quote from: richwig83 on March 23, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
My o/h leaves her car in gear and it drives me around the bend. In my opinion its a bad habit and unless you are parking on a steep hill then there is no reason to leave your car in gear.

What car does Mrs Wigley-Manship drive?

Golf or course... but a sloooow 1.6 diesel mk6 :indifferent:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: vRSAlex on March 23, 2014, 09:58:08 pm: Quote from: richwig83 on March 23, 2014, 08:04:29 pm
My o/h leaves her car in gear and it drives me around the bend. In my opinion its a bad habit and unless you are parking on a steep hill then there is no reason to leave your car in gear.

Bet she doesn't turn the wheels straight either?
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: rich83 on March 23, 2014, 10:04:04 pm: Have you tapped our CCTV? :scared:
Title: Re: Leaving car in gear
Post by: joshbbk on April 06, 2014, 04:14:36 pm: seems to done no harm to mine :smiley: