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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not park my car in gear?

368 replies

CrazylazyJane · 18/04/2023 04:54

DH and I are at odds on whether you are supposed to park your car in gear or not, so settle the argument for us.

He maintains that he was taught to always leave your car in first gear when you park it incase the hand break fails

I was taught to leave the car in neutral when parking. The only exception being when you're parked on a steep hill, you may consider leaving your car in gear to prevent it from rolling.

I drive DG's car a few times a year and today jumped in it and bunny hopped as I turned on the ignition. Yes, yes, one should always check the gear stick before turning the engine on but I don't routinely as I would always leave a manual car in neutral. So AIBU for being annoyed that he keeps doing this?

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 18/04/2023 04:55

I always park in gear.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 18/04/2023 04:56

You are correct.

My dad was an automotive engineer for 42 years, and he taught me to park in neutral.

NoWeaponsOnTheTable · 18/04/2023 04:59

Neutral. I'm with you.

BusterGonad · 18/04/2023 05:01

I think this is an age thing. My dad parks in gear, my husband and I park in neutral. You are taught during lessons to park in neutral.

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/04/2023 05:17

In gear on a hill. Even a slight one. And turn the wheels as well on a steep hill.

But you should always give the gear stick a little wobble when you get in so you never bunny hop.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 18/04/2023 05:21

I live on a hill so park in gear automatically, even when it's not strictly necessary.

I always move to neutral before turning the engine on though.

FurAndFeathers · 18/04/2023 05:23

Always in gear. Handbrakes fail.
my dad was a mechanic for over 40 years and always parks in gear, as do the guys at my garage.

there’s no adverse consequences to parking in gear but there are consequences to not parking in gear if handbrakes fail.

don’t blame your husband for your lack of observation

Switchwitch · 18/04/2023 05:24

I park on a hill but always leave in neutral. If the car rolled it would go backwards, should I leave it in reverse?

TerfIngOnTheBeach · 18/04/2023 05:34

I always leave it in gear, apart from being an older person whose had a licence for 38 years, I have a beautiful Mini Countryman that has a stupid little lever handbrake. It has been known to not go on properly and I’ve rolled.

If I’m on a hill I leave it in gear the opposite of which way I’m facing. Downhill in reverse, uphill in first.

I never bunny hop as I’ve always left it in gear so always take it out before starting the engine.

MistySkiesAreGone · 18/04/2023 05:37

I park in neutral but I always check it is in neutral before I start the car.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 18/04/2023 05:41

Just buy an automatic, and then you don’t even need the handbrake.

Fooshufflewickjbannanapants · 18/04/2023 05:46

I live in a very hilly place so I was taught to leave in the gear opposite to which way the car was facing (ie point up hill leave it in first)

MaryShelley1818 · 18/04/2023 05:54

Always park in gear...really surprised people aren't! Surely just basic driving knowledge.

Stressybetty · 18/04/2023 05:55

DH always leaves our car in gear (and the radio really loud and seat way back). I always leave in neutral.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 18/04/2023 05:59

I park in neutral as that is what I was taught in my driving lessons.

SadAsHell · 18/04/2023 06:01

I park in neutral. OH parks in gear.

Zapx · 18/04/2023 06:02

Always leave it in gear in case of a handbrake issue. No consequences to not doing it.

Setyoufree · 18/04/2023 06:04

Park in gear. Handbrakes fail.

But regardless, you should always check it's not in gear before you start the engine so YABU for blaming DH for you not having done that.

greenacrylicpaint · 18/04/2023 06:08

alwys in gear
always with hanfbrake
always with wheels turned awau from road

that's what I was taught in the mid 90s

don't own a car but most of the ones I drive (car sharing club) are electric and therefore automatic. their app has a checklist upon leaving which says to activate handbrake and to turn wheels away from road.

MerryHen · 18/04/2023 06:12

I park in gear and (since a neighbour's car rolled into mine causing mine to shunt another car into the road) with wheels turned towards the curb.

I live in a hilly area and drive an older car whose handbrake regularly needs tightening, if not for these factors I might not.

blubberball · 18/04/2023 06:13

I always park in gear in case the hand brake fails.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 18/04/2023 06:18

Wow 😀 Always in neutral except if I’m parked on a very steep slope. I had no idea people were doing this on a regular basis!!

OliviaPark · 18/04/2023 06:18

Just out of interest, how many people here have had their hand brake fail? (Personally, not their mum’s cousin’s neighbour).

I have never known anyone it happened to or seen the aftermath of an incident where it has happened.

RampantIvy · 18/04/2023 06:18

I park in first gear on the drive because it is on a slope. I park in neutral in flat parking places.

PiscesScot · 18/04/2023 06:19

Always in first/reverse unless I’m on a completely flat surface, occasionally!

I’ve had a hand break fail on me as I was parking on a steep hill so I have the fear