Park car in gear (against slope) or in neutral?

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That's it really, DP and I disagree. Do you park the car in gear or in neutral? Vote needed please !

I always leave the car in gear. It is sensible practice to wobble the gear stick before starting a car, I always do even though my current car doesn’t allow you to start it unless the clutch is depressed.

Always leave my car in gear as have had my car roll before when handbrake was slack. My 9 year old Audi needs the clutch pressed to start the engine.

When I was sold my car (2010 reg) I was told not to start it with the clutch or accelerator down.

Always in gear on a slope. My 2008 Passat requires you to depress the clutch before starting, as does my 2016 Land Rover. If you try to start either without doing so an message appears on the dashboard screen telling you to "Depress the clutch before starting". Definitely not making it up. Of all the hire cars my husband gets through work he reckons the vast majority need the clutch depressed to start. I passed my test back in 1989 and was taught to wobble the gear stick to check it was in neutral before starting. But after I passed my test my rattley old fiesta needed to be started with the clutch down because otherwise the engine refused to turn over.

I don't think the clutch in to start is just a new thing - it depends on manufacturers.

Our 1995 Saab 900 needed the clutch in.

On another note - those of you who say you have issues jumping forward, I seem to remember being taught to check the car was in neutral before starting the car back in the 80's. Is this still taught?

Oh, And you don't need to put the clutch in to put the car in neutral. As any parent of a learner driver may find handy.

In gear. I used to park in neutral, my handbrake failed and my small car rolled back a few feet on what I wouldn't even call a slope. Apparently causing £3500 worth of damage to a Hilux

The insurance paid out about £900 and then later on I got a letter saying he was suing for the rest of the money
He also claimed personal injury until I sent back the statement with a highlighter pen on the quote "our cars were both parked up, and we were inside our own houses.."

It stays in gear now! (My car was undamaged... so a little Punto came off better than a Hilux apparently)

Much better to park in gear. But there is no need to not use the hand break as someone said up thread, it's hardly going to seize up overnight!

But there is no need to not use the hand break as someone said up thread, it's hardly going to seize up overnight!

I see you've not met my car

Yes it is taught that you check the car is in neutral before starting the engine.

I seem to remember being taught to check the car was in neutral before starting the car back in the 80's. Is this still taught?

It depends on the car you learn in. I've had three instructors and the first two had manual cars with keys, so you were always taught to check it was in neutral.

My final instructor had a keyless car that required the clutch to be depressed before starting, so learning to check it was in neutral seemed a bit pointless.

By everyone, crunchy? I mean, I saw that you’re the arbiter of everyone else’s experiences on here so just want to check that you’re totally sure on this one too...

Passive aggressive snideness is it??

Of course if your car is a superduper new car you may not be. But in an ordinary manual car of the type that all of the instructors use where I live, yes you are taught to check your car is in neutral. For the very good reason that otherwise it will jump forward or back when you start it up, and potentially cause an accident.

Basic car knowledge.
HTH

We have automatic cars, always left in park with the handbrake off.

I Never use the handbrake as they tend to freeze in the winter.

Also, basic car knowledge... some cars need the clutch depressing to start them.

HTH. I’m not lying. You can ask my mum.

slight Yes I have learned that today. But then I am poorer than many MNers and don't get new or expensive american cars. Sorry I am such a pleb that my knowledge does not extend to these types of cars.
HTH

Then maybe don't post as if you know more about other people's cars than they do.

HTH.

Interesting. I've always driven an automatic (didn't learn to drive until I had DC). This thread reminded me I should learn to drive a gear shift.

FFs classist or what.
Do you need me to spell this out? Someone asks a question. Someone else answers to the best of their knowledge. If they have never come across a situation that requires a different answer, how would they know??
HTH

It’s not your knowledge, it’s your attitude.

I shall tell my £1200 VW golf that it can now identify as a new or expensive American car. Might fix a few things. Thx.

In gear of course. Can I just say it's KERB not curb....aaarrgh.

don't get new or expensive american cars.

Ha ha Pt Cruisers weren't expensive in the first place and you can get a good one for £500 now.

Fine you want to have the last word, go ahead.

I have been driving since 17 - 30 years.

I had never once left my car in gear, until a year ago when I parked my (3 year old) car on a slope and it rolled backwards.

Now, I always leave it in gear.

It’s not your knowledge, it’s your attitude.

Yep. Asking people if they're sure they know how to work their own vehicles ffs.

Ooh, no me pleas. Or maybe you as I’m asking a question.

How is it “classist” to tell you that you don’t know everything about every car and that your utter disbelief of people’s statements was irritating?

I don’t think that makes you a “pleb” as you put it. Could you enlighten me just so I don’t get it wrong again. Ta.