Parking a 6spd
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Glen Carbon, Illinois
Parking a 6spd
I just picked up a 2002 6spd and the owners manual states to park the car in reverse. Is there any reason for this? I normally park manual transmissions in 1st gear, but I don't want to cause any damage. thanks chris 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
Reverse is the largest ratio gear than 1st. Because the engine is off, it will keep the car put on hills better than first.
Reverse is also a straight cut gear so it's also VERY strong compared to the slant cut gears of 1st through 6th gear. This makes reverse ideal for parking. In theory, parking the car in any of 1st through 6th would be bad for the gears because they're slant cut.
I park in reverse 99% of the time. It's a good habit to be in. I very rarely park in 1st gear, but when I do it's ALWAYS on flat surface. For the most part I don't like my car being in neutral at any time (even at red lights) and parking the car in reverse gives me some peace of mind if the e-break ever went out it would have a chance on staying put in reverse.
Reverse is also a straight cut gear so it's also VERY strong compared to the slant cut gears of 1st through 6th gear. This makes reverse ideal for parking. In theory, parking the car in any of 1st through 6th would be bad for the gears because they're slant cut.
I park in reverse 99% of the time. It's a good habit to be in. I very rarely park in 1st gear, but when I do it's ALWAYS on flat surface. For the most part I don't like my car being in neutral at any time (even at red lights) and parking the car in reverse gives me some peace of mind if the e-break ever went out it would have a chance on staying put in reverse.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
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From: Katy TX
Reverse is the largest ratio gear than 1st. Because the engine is off, it will keep the car put on hills better than first.
Reverse is also a straight cut gear so it's also VERY strong compared to the slant cut gears of 1st through 6th gear. This makes reverse ideal for parking. In theory, parking the car in any of 1st through 6th would be bad for the gears because they're slant cut.
I park in reverse 99% of the time. It's a good habit to be in. I very rarely park in 1st gear, but when I do it's ALWAYS on flat surface. For the most part I don't like my car being in neutral at any time (even at red lights) and parking the car in reverse gives me some peace of mind if the e-break ever went out it would have a chance on staying put in reverse.
Reverse is also a straight cut gear so it's also VERY strong compared to the slant cut gears of 1st through 6th gear. This makes reverse ideal for parking. In theory, parking the car in any of 1st through 6th would be bad for the gears because they're slant cut.
I park in reverse 99% of the time. It's a good habit to be in. I very rarely park in 1st gear, but when I do it's ALWAYS on flat surface. For the most part I don't like my car being in neutral at any time (even at red lights) and parking the car in reverse gives me some peace of mind if the e-break ever went out it would have a chance on staying put in reverse.
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You know, I really need to sit down and read my owners manual...
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Columbia South Carolina
Over in the Solstice forum, some members have experienced this the hard way........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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Why would you just trust the ebrake even when they work correctly when leaving it in gear give you added protection?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
A) It's a good habit to put the car in reverse while parking. In most cases, your ebrake may not fail. But if for any reason it does and you're on a slight hill, you're going to hit a car. Some inclines and declines are very deceiving and you may no know you're car will roll.
B) There's a law called "Coasting" that says you may never leave your car in neutral. whether you're parked or driving.
C) At a stop light, you should always be in first gear as an active precaution for if you need to move in less than a moment's notice. (i.e. someone is about to rear-end you).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Or you can just keep your foot in the clutch. Since I park it in reverse, it's required to keep my foot in the clutch before shutting off the car. Once the car is turned off, you won't be able to easily get the car in reverse because it locks you out due to being non-syncro'd.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
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From: Madison Wi
Or you can just keep your foot in the clutch. Since I park it in reverse, it's required to keep my foot in the clutch before shutting off the car. Once the car is turned off, you won't be able to easily get the car in reverse because it locks you out due to being non-syncro'd.T56 reverse IS synchro'd.
You can't get it in reverse easily with the car off because the reverse solonoid will not open the gate with the power off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
The e-brake just let go while I was in the house getting something real quick.....down the driveway backwards, over a curb, through two stout bushes, high centered on the curb. Fortunately just a couple of scratches on the rear fascia. Not a good way to start a cruise day.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
it's in a f-body, but it's basically the same T56. There are pictures of the reverse gear and the reverse synchro. Also note, It's an angle cut gear.