I was over at my brother-in-law's yesterday and we wandered out into the garage to have a look at his much-loved C5. Can't remember what year it is, but believe it's a post '99.

I pointed out to him the light on his battery tender was red. He mentioned to me he has had to replace at least one battery (the car has but 18K miles).

I asked him if he left the car in reverse when parked (it's a manual) and he looked at me as if I was crazy. Said he never heard of such a thing.

My question is: was that reverse - I'll call - power saver feature common to all C5s or just some specific years? I know my '07 C6 doesn't require it.

Did I tell an untruth to my BiL?

 

It was the 05 C6, that needed to be in reverse. C5's never had that issue.

 

Yeah, I thought it was an early C6 issue.

 

 

The C5 Owner's manual does say to put it in Reverse when you park a manual transmission vehicle. They don't say why.

 

Hmmmm

 

Reverse gives you your lowest gear ratio so that is the gear where the car would be the least likely to roll if it were parked on a hill.

 

I think that's because it's the lowest gear to prevent rolling. Even if you're not on an incline, put it into reverse with the emergency brake pulled in case of an accidental bump.

 

Normal practice for a manual tranny.

 

Bingo! We have a winner.

 

Just do it. It's easy.

 

I considered that, and it does make sense, although why not leave it, say, in first gear?

Okay, y'all made me run out to the garage and get the manual for my '07 C6. Indeed it does suggest that the car be left in reverse when parked. No mention of any power-saving feature. Though the manual does talk about a battery saving feature in cases where the lights (parking, interior, etc) might have been left on, but nothing there about leaving the car parked in reverse.

So why don't any of my other manual transmission-equipped cars suggest this procedure be followed? No reply necessary. I think you have all cleared this up for me. Now I have to call my brother-in-law and tell him I don't know what I was talking about.

Advice much appreciated. Thanks.

Now what I need to know is what recourse I might have toward the dealer who sold me my 'C6 and told me it would be a surfire "Babe Magnet"? There's nothing in the warranty booklet to suggest it's something that would be covered. Should I appeal to GM or just write the state attorney general, consumer fraud department?

Or maybe give up on the gold chains, chest hair wigs and stop using so much English Leather? Maybe leave the poodle at home?

Thanks

 

Hi There;
The reverse procedure for safety reasons on a hill is at least 50 years old that I know of. Just good old common sense.
robsc501

 

It was the C6 that you need to put in reverse because of power drain, Not sure why.

 

 

The C5 did not require the car to be in reverse to keep the battery from draining. However, there are some systems on the C5 that do place a constant draw on the battery - thus the recommendation that if the car will not be driven for a while, keep it hooked to a Battery Tender.