This gets me every single time. I usually use the parking brake and leave it in neutral, but everytime I take a car in for service, they leave it in gear. I'm so use to leaving it in neutral that every time someone else drives it, they leave it in gear and the car would lunge forward and stall. So what is the right way to park a MT car?


2003 G35 Coupe 6mt Diamond Graphite
1992 Jeep Cherokee Blk 5.5 RE lift /w 33s
AIM= bkchang79

 

This may be a problem for those of us that have had remote starter installed. You must leave the car in Neutral and the handbrake must be engaged in order for the remote start to work. So from what you are saying then, I should never park on a hill if I plan on using remote start.


Silverstone 6MT Maya DTM 20's

 

According to my O/M, in a M/T G, the starter should not operate unless the clutch is fully depressed. (for obvious reasons).
If yours tries to start with the clutch released, then the safety switch is not functioning properly.
Have the dealer fix it.

To be safe, you should apply the brake as well as engage 1st or reverse gear, but as MrElussive points out, in the freezing weather this may be a problem.
GSM

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red> <font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

 

For safety reasons, you should always park it with both the e-brake set and the car in gear (1st or R). In case either fails, the other is the backup.


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

I always gear lock it and engage the e-brake...I can see where really cold climates would discourage engaging both, but even in Chicago I parked like that...Just habit

"All the Power in the World resides in the Eyes..."

 

Uuummm...I've always parked my cars with just the E-brake on until about 2 years ago when I parked my accord on what is a relitively flat spot and forgot to engage the E-brake. 5 Minutes later I got a call from the main desk telling me that my car was blocking the exit gate to the complex. It rolled back a couple of feet and then down a slight grade and hit two parked cars. Every single time I've parked either that car or my G (MT), I have used the E-brake as well as putting it in first...learn from my mistakes everybody...sometimes you just might forget to set the brake, no matter how long you've been driving, etc...it only takes one time to be distracted and make a stupid mistake. Better safe than sorry. Lesson learned.

"Operator, give me the number for 911!"
- Homer Simpson

 

If the area is pretty level, I don't put it in gear. Maybe I should make it a habit to do so?

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

Is it even legal to have remote start in a car with a stick???

 

When i was driving my BMW a while back and had to go to USC, a Ford Mustang that was manual that was stick with no one in the car almost hit my car. The reason being his car wasnt in gear. The person still had their e-brake up and the car was still moving backwards on a flat surface. If where i was supposed to park my car at USC the mustang would have messed up my BMW baddly. Thank god where i wanted to park i wasnt allowed to.

So here is the right thing to do and my mechanic told me this.
1. First put the car in neutral. Put your foot on the foot brake then pull up the e-brake.
2. While the car is still in neutral and the e-brake is up, take you foot of the brake. The car shouldnt move
3. the put the car in either 1st or reverse.

the reason is you dont want the car resting on the transmition and the gears. Will wear the life of the trans and gears.

Hope this helped

2004 Diamond Graphite G35 Coupe 6MT, Premium Package, Aero Package, DVD Nav

 

I dont have a stick but I always use the E-brake, even in cold NY/NJ weather, never had any issues with the G and my previous accord. I hate when infiniti people just leave it in park, it seems like the car is putting force on the tranny.

Crawford Plenum / Z tube + Stillen Hi-Flow / Borla Dual Exhaust / Stillen Xdrilled+Stotted Rotors
Best 1/4 mile 14.371 @ 100.29, 60ft 2.347

 

I will leave my G just in gear sometimes (without using the E-brake) if I'm parked on a totally flat spot. Doesn't seem like it would put stress on the transmission...does it?

2003 G35 Coupe
Black, Willow, 6spd, Aero, Prem, Tint

 

Well I was talking about my auto coupe. Its like if you put it in park and get off the brake it rolls back a bit and kind of bounces a bit off the park gear. So I stop hit the E-Brake and then put it in park, the car doesnt move one bit. OK ill get out of your MT thread now

Crawford Plenum / Z tube + Stillen Hi-Flow / Borla Dual Exhaust / Stillen Xdrilled+Stotted Rotors
Best 1/4 mile 14.371 @ 100.29, 60ft 2.347

 

Considering the fact that the parking brake in our cars (6MT) is really lousy (my car starts rolling on the slightest slope if left in neutral), I always make sure to leave my car in gear. I have another 1300 miles before my first oil change in which I will ask the dealer to tighten up the brake.

2004 G35C 6MT DG/Gr/Prem/NAV/A.Pedals/C.Corners/C.Bra/PIAA [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

 

When on a moderate to steep hill, and regardless of transmission type, you should never use the trans to be the main force to prevent rolling. As mentioned above, engage the parking brake while pressing the regular brake. Then put the auto trans in park or manual in gear.

Common sense in a manual car to use both as a backup, unless weather conditions are severe.