Leaving a car parked in first gear - the thing that confuses everyone!
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- Опубліковано 30 кві 2021
- Leaving a car parked in first gear is essential but few driving instructors ever teach it and few learners understand it. I explain why it's vital to leave your car parked in 1st or reverse gear. See why to not leave a car parked in other gears in part 2 • Why to NEVER leave a c... .
I have never had a single pupil come to me from another driving school that has been taught this, not one out of hundreds. It's mentioned in the DVSA book Essential Skills and is marked on the driving test yet still most instructors don't even mention it.
You'd think this would be easy to teach but it's not. You can tell people to leave a car parked in gear but select neutral before turning it on but they just won't understand.
If you get someone to take a car out of 1st gear and turn it on in neutral then they'll often try and move off in neutral. That's because they can't see the point of moving the gearstick from 1st to neutral, turning on and then selecting 1st again. What's the point in moving it out of 1st only to put it back in? The point is that the car needs to be left in 1st to keep it still but it can't be turned on in first or it may go flying forwards.
Another common thing is learners will forget to check the gear and turn on in first gear, lift the clutch and stall. When you tell them they need neutral they then go back to doing what it says in the paragraph above and attempt to move off in neutral.
I've explained what I say in this video to pupils dozens of times and they still don't get it so I made this video to refer people to when needed.
People who aren't driving instructors struggle to appreciate things like this and that's why so many fail their exams to become an instructor. The pass rate for the final exam, ADI part 3, was 27% in 2020 and that's up from 22% in previous years! The simplest thing for you to understand can take hours for someone else to understand and this is just one example of many I can tell you about.
This shows where I was parked talking to a pupil about roundabouts one day when a runaway car came flying down the hill and hit us www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.421...
Read more about ADI part 3 here www.1stdrive.com/adi-part-3/
Get more useful driving lesson hints and tips here www.1stdrive.com/how-to-drive...
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► Why it's gas THEN clutch to move off - • Gas THEN clutch - how ...
I've always left my car in gear, just makes sense for this very reason. Also was taught to check "handbrake on, out of gear" before starting. Taught my son the same way too.
My instructor taught me to put the car in gear if I'm parking it on a steep hill. My instructor also taught me to always start the car with the clutch down becasue it is easier/less strain on the engine when it's starts. My driveway is a very slight uphill slope, I always leave it in first and I always put the clutch down when I turn the engine on.
I was always taught when finishing a lesson "handbrake, neutral and relax". It was my parents that mentioned about the potential handbrake failure so I'd always leave my car in gear when parked (usually reverse but that was the way I was parking) but I'd make sure I did it after I'd already turned off the engine. Now I drive an automatic that won't turn off or on unless it's in 'Park' so I don't think about it too much!
I wasn't aware of this and also wasn't taught about this. Always wondered why some people park their cars in first gear. Thanks for the video.
When driving a manual, it's always a good idea to leave in 1st or R.
If the handbrake does fail, then the gear will hold the car still (or at least significantly retard the ability to gain speed)
What if i leave my car for 2 months , does that that make problems with the gear ?
It’s a great habit to get into. I’ve always done it as I was taught by my instructor. Just the extra peace of mind and even though I have only had 1 car with the safety switch you just get into the habit of pushing the clutch. In my case before the key is in.
It was always my dad who encouraged me to leave the car in gear when parking up. I never leave my car in neutral when parking now.
Excellent video. Years ago when I was learning to drive, my instructor always told me to park in gear, any gear. Since then, most people whom I have driven (who knows how to drive manual - not many in Australia) would ask me why I parked it in gear.
1st gear give your car better stopping power
This is so helpful. Thanks so much
Hi sir, do you put it in gear after turning off the engine??
I wasn't taught it on my lessons years ago but my dad used to tell me about parking in gear. When i had my 15 plate fiesta, sometimes it will say select neutral and depress clutch before it would start
Hi, please let me know when We should switch off the car with before applying gear or after applying gear while parking a car
Very interesting, my parents have always do this. Before watching this video I never really understood the reasons why my parents always leave their cars (parked in 1st gear). Thank you for explaining it in detail.
I was taught that by my dad when he first showed me how to drive manual when I was about 13 years old, but when I took my driving course they didn’t say a word about it and when I brought it up to the instructor he said it didn’t matter LOL
My car has a put clutch down to start, good feature to remind you what gear you're in.
Wouldn't be a toyota would it?
My parents always taught me to park it in 1st gear. One time during high school, I'll never forget. As a prank, in the student parking lot, some boys in the senior class lifted up the back of some girl's manual car that had been parked in neutral and moved it to a completely different place! What's strange is my Honda's owner's manual says to park it in Reverse gear. I seem to always have the habit parking it in reverse, even on flat level surface. Do you think this is because reverse gear isn't used as much as 1st when driving, so it won't wear out the gear as much? Of course, if I'm parking facing uphill, I'll always leave it in 1st. What do you think about Reverse gear as Honda recommends?
I always leave the car in 1st gear when parked, my driving instructor taught me this and been doing this ever since. I would never risk parking in neutral and on handbrake only, and it only takes a second to put it in neutral to start up.
I have been taught about keeping in gear to park. However surely you can start off with clutch and brake on and just leave in first to start the engine.
New drivers often forget the car is in gear and will lift the clutch and stall or go jumping forward. That's why although you can turn on in gear with the clutch down it's best practice not to.
I do this alot but always forget to put in neutral when starting car. It jumps. Does this cause significant damage cause it always annoys me when it happens
Depends on how old and worn the transmission is to be honest and how steep the road is and how long its been resting on it, my friend always does this and his handbrake failed last year unfortunately at midnight so its pitch-black and after around 6 hours something snapped inside the gearbox as the car went flying down the hill, its the same as when people who leave a automatic car in park without the handbrake your relying on a thin bit of metal to hold your car on hills and eventually it just fails, leaving it in gear will help just as long as you notice it fairly quickly.
Great video
I always leave my car in either first or reverse depending whether I am facing uphill or downhill
I’m scared of forgetting the car is in gear and lifting the clutch up, into a car or pedestrian. I’m so used to leaving the car parked in neutral and lifting the clutch after turning on the engine. Just today I left it in gear (I wanted to start doing this) in the Halfords car park and only remembered I had done it when the engine sounded different when I turned the key.
My driveway has only a very slight slope downwards. I always usually reverse onto my drive so the front of my car is very slightly facing downwards. Do you recommend that I leave my car parked in reverse even though it's only parked on a very slight slope? I have been keeping it in neutral without any problems up until now. Love all your content as always. Keep up the great work!
I always leave my car out of gear when I leave it parked. You might not have had any trouble up until now but that doesn't mean you won't in the future!
@@1stdrive Do you mean that you always leave your car in gear when you leave it parked? My driveway only has the slightest of incline which is only just noticeable but you still recommend that I leave my car in reverse gear when parked facing downwards? There's so much different information out there which is why some people get confused. Also some information says that leaving your car parked in gear can cause transmission or other damage and other information says that it won't harm your car at all.
the thing about the car jumping is that if you start your car pressing the clutch the car wont jump or stall.
On a flat neutral is fine of what I learnt although no harm in doing it in gear. Definitely on a slant leave it in gear., 1st gear uphill and reverse down hill. Very good video nd well explained too
Its risky to leave car in neutral lmao 😂
@@stefanjevtichh3294 not necessarily providing the handbrake is effective and surface is flat
I was never taught this by an instructor, but it is mentioned in either the highway code or DVSA book (forget which). It also mentions having the wheels facing into/away from the pavement.
does putting it in reverse also stop it from rolling back?
Interesting video. I assume on an automatic car, the P gear acts as the equivalent of 1st/Reverse by locking the front wheels?
Yes, same thing.
I worked for the Royal Mail one christmas. They trusted me with a post van, and they tell you to leave it in first gear. Me, not being used to leaving it in first gear, tried to comply with this, but after a day of forgetting I had left it in first, and kangarooing forwards, I went back to my usual routine. They tell you to wear a seat belt even if you are just driving a few yards too, and no postie I have ever seen complies with this one..
7:15 This happened to me when i started the car but i knew that tip were you need to check the gear and when i start the car it goes forward making like crack noises but great thing i turned the key off immediately cause the car was about to fall down on the rocks. Thats why i will never by a nissan Micra cause they are not safe
May I ask a question ? Suppose I park my NA Miata (1994) facing uphill.
Is there a difference between putting first or rear gear engaged ? My
mechanic tells me (he is a Miata fan too, two NA race cars) - he tells
me that if you park facing uphill, you have to put first gear - and rear
gear if facing downhill - I personnally think that the compression
works both sides.
A few questions indeed :
- Can the engine rotate in reverse if parked facing uphill with fifth gear engaged ?
- Will it brake something on the engine ?
- Is it the engine or the gearbox which holds the car when parked with a gear engaged ?
- Ultimately, would you put first or rear gear ? Thanks !
If you left car in higher gear, it will roll easily. Cuz cogwheel of first gear is much bigger than in fifth, its same as in Bicycle…
Engine can lock wheels. Cuz when you lift clutch, you conncet input shaft of gear box to engine. 0 rpm means 0 spin on wheel(actually 1-2 wheel spin before locking wheels, again cuz u are in first gear, cogwheel is big, need more friction to move, thats why its risky to left car in fifth gear…)
I guess i helped u
Now an interesting question, which was proposed to me by a mechanic years ago: when does the starter motor stress less, starting the car with the clutch down or up? According to him, with the clutch up the starter motor makes a greater effort because in addition to the crankshaft the gearbox is also set in motion, while with the clutch down the effort is less. Thus, from a mechanical point of view, they suggest starting the vehicle with the clutch down. It would be nice to collect more information maybe from some engineers.
Yes, that is true. Turning your car on with the clutch down makes it easier for it to start and can be handy in the winter when it's cold and the engine needs more help to get going.
@@1stdrive old school mechanics rulez! 💪🏻😂
My neighbour mentioned this yesterday, my instructor has NEVER told me this!!!
I always turn my car on with clutch down pressed, and then just move off.
For some reason Americans leave it in neutral I wonder Why?I was taught (in Finland) to leave it in 1st just for the reasons you explained. I don’t remember that starting up in neutral though but it’s a good habit. When I had old rusty sh*tboxes, I used to leave it only in 1st gear so that the parking brake cable wouldn’t freeze in winter...these things come from muscle memory and every time I get a new car, things are ever so slightly different and it takes a long time to get used to. For example the auto gear lever on a Bmw is different from the usual PRND we have had for decades and it’s not as good to use, very distant feel and you have to look the screen to confirm things...same with the push button start, not a fan of that either.
That's a good point about leaving it in 1 in the winter. Leaving it in gear probably locks the wheels up better than the handbrake ever would.
I'm not sure if I was taught to start the car in gear or out of gear, but I'd assume I always put the transmission in neutral, because I've done that in my 2006 Fiat Punto I've had for almost 2 years now. I'm the type of driver who put the transmission in neutral before starting the engine, then I let the engine idle as I put my wallet in the glove box and my phone on a phone holder on the dashboard. After that I check my mirror adjustments, because my car has no electronic mirrors, so the side mirrors can move if someone accidentally walks into them while walking to a car next to mine.
By default, I always start on neutral.
Yes, this was really important in older cars where you didn't need to press the clutch to start the engine. After a few days, it just becomes part of the drill, and I put the car into neutral before starting even without having to think about it.
Never thought of this but usually when I'm parking on a hill I leave my car with the wheels turned into the curb
@@yvindascanius6061 yes that's right. Spoke to my teacher (I'm in college learning to be a mechanic) and he says it's to do with the handbrake cable getting stuck (something along those lines)
Yep, handbrakes (parking brakes) do fail.
Electronic handbrakes can also fail....check out online for videos.
Automatic cars should be left in Park (P), with the handbrake on as well.
On a front drive car, all 4 wheels locked.
especially important when on a hill !!
I've been leaving my car in 2nd gear, does that make a difference? Are you only supposed to leave it in 1st or reverse?
2nd doesn't work as well but as always, it depends on your car. I remember leaving a Fiesta in 3rd once to see what happened and it kept rolling like it wasn't even in gear, jumpy but it travelled quite a distance. So yes, 1st and reverse are what you want to leave it in.
I find that 2nd gear works in my car to hold it in place, except on steep hills. The advantage of 2nd gear is that the car will never run away when starting (if you forget to put it in neutral), since it will (almost) certainly stall the engine.
That said, this depends on the car and terrain - so, if in doubt, use 1st gear.
Everywhere I see the instructions(for uphill park in 1st gear, for down hill park in reverse). But nobody is telling how it works, I'm curious about it. Can someone please explain or point me out to it?
It's explained in the comments of this video ua-cam.com/video/LzzSWuHEEEs/v-deo.html
Im confused, What if I'm parking on a flat parking? Still in 1st gear? In uphill and downhill?
Same I always park on flat road in neutral with the handbrake on.
I don't mean to sound big headed here at all, but I always thought this was common sense. I'm amazed that so many people weren't aware of this, it's the same reason why you leave the car in park in an automatic.
I meant to mention about the automatic park mode but I forgot. You can never assume people will do anything when teaching a skill, I've had some instances where I've had to explain why you can't run pedestrians over.
I think it is a bad idea because I read somewhere is it bad for your clutch... it can even wear it out?, please correct me if im wrong...
No, that's not correct. Anything you ever do to a car will damage it in some way, it's just a question of how much and doing the least damage you can. Having your car roll away and hit a wall will do much more damage than leaving it in gear.
@@1stdrive would you recommend this for a car with an electric hand brake, the button version of a hand brake?
Yes
Why are learners taught to leave it in neutral then?
Ok but does it have to be 1st? Can it be, say 3rd?
It has to be 1st or reverse. Here's why ua-cam.com/video/LzzSWuHEEEs/v-deo.html
In gear & kerb the wheels
&yes i always check what gear its in before starting if u dont u dont belong on the road in my opinion
The reason why learners fail to understand it is because they hardly understand how a manual transmission really works. It is good to know how to control the clutch and accelerator but it's a wholly different matter knowing how these two things affect the interplay between the engine shaft and drive shaft (and the high friction between the tyres and the road surface).
Yes, we only teach the basics of how cars work because most people don't care. We use models and simple ideas that aren't technically correct but represent ways of thinking about things. I once went into a garage and a mechanic was explaining about axles and props or something in great detail. I appreciated his effort but I really didn't need to know all that, I just wanted my tyre fixing!
@@1stdrive There is this series of videos from Chevrolet in the 1930s that keeps to the basics. Of course, some of the tech is now outdated but it's a great eye-opener to how manual transmission works at its most basic level.
Cars until the 1970s only had first, second and top (or high) gear, plus the reverse.
Props are just the connection from the drive shaft to the differential, so that the rear wheels can also be driven (assuming a car is FWD).
Transmission: ua-cam.com/video/JOLtS4VUcvQ/v-deo.html
Differential: ua-cam.com/video/yYAw79386WI/v-deo.html
Living in the Netherlands leaving it in great is not a thing. It's indeed considered dangerous as you are more likely to be unattentive while starting the car and launch it. But living abroad now I noticed drivers leaving my car in gear. Scared me quite a bit as I was used to only do it on hills, not flat ground. But after your vid I understand the thought behind it, but I am still afraid of having that unattentive moment and launch into a person or building.
Always parked in gear..then always starts my car with both clutch and brake for safety purposes
You don't have to hold the clutch to go to neutral if you are stopped
yes you do,
Basically, when you turn off engine and select first gear, you connect the engine and wheels. Cuz ur engine is off with 0 rpm, your wheels cant spin cuz connected to engine… Even thefts cant roll your car in first gear as long as there is 10 people trying to push your car or 2 Eddie Halls breaking clutch and output shaft😂😂😂
Eddie Hall would just carry it overhead.