Leave It In Reverse When Parked...?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: SoCal California
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: SoCal California
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: SoCal California
Not only did I have a "close" look, I also did a search of the .pdf of the manual. There really is nothing about parking it in reverse preserving battery life. Although, if you would like to have a "closer" look, help yourself....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: SoCal California
Interesting Mr. Bill. Folks here seem to think this is a C6 issue. Everyone in the service office clearly understood that I have a C5 Z06, in fact, they were all looking at it through the window. Now I wonder, what their motivation might have been for telling me this. Are they angling for getting me to bring it in for some kind of pseudo service?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: SoCal California
I'd think that the parking brake needing adjusted is by far one of the most common issues, in regards to parking your car. Never have heard of the issue of reverse/battery drain.
For them to say that valve spring failure is no big deal with your 02 Z is simply pure BS. That should be one of your first concerns to address, as of like YESTERDAY!
Good luck
For them to say that valve spring failure is no big deal with your 02 Z is simply pure BS. That should be one of your first concerns to address, as of like YESTERDAY!
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
The Owner's Manual on my 2001 MN6 says to put the car in reverse and apply the parking brake. (page 2-38). Says nothing about it saving the battery.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
My Vette never sits long enough for battery drain to be an issue,But I do put it in reverse and then shut it off when I park it.
When I first bought it,I read the owners manual,and it is suggested in there ,so that's how I do it.
I agree with Mr Bill-it's the lowest gear,so if you forget the park brake,it's not going to go anywhere if it's in reverse.
When I first bought it,I read the owners manual,and it is suggested in there ,so that's how I do it.
I agree with Mr Bill-it's the lowest gear,so if you forget the park brake,it's not going to go anywhere if it's in reverse.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 593
Likes: 2
From: Sub-Tropical Retirement Zone
I'd think that the parking brake needing adjusted is by far one of the most common issues, in regards to parking your car. Never have heard of the issue of reverse/battery drain.
For them to say that valve spring failure is no big deal with your 02 Z is simply pure BS. That should be one of your first concerns to address, as of like YESTERDAY!
Good luck
For them to say that valve spring failure is no big deal with your 02 Z is simply pure BS. That should be one of your first concerns to address, as of like YESTERDAY!
Good luck
The only vehicle I’ve ever had trouble when attempting to use the parking brake is my C5. After the CLB, CAGS and DRLs… the parking brake has been a PIA.
Next Wednesday (1 DEC 10) the wheels and calipers are coming off for a good cleaning and adjustment.
Neither my friends nor I have ever heard anything about parking in reverse going easy on battery drain with the C5.Huurraah!
Semper Fi!
Bob
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
So, they know all about some trivial B.S that means nothing, but they don't know anything about 2002 Z's and the valve spring issues....
Must be some badazz mechanics.
Can't wait to meet em!
Hope they aren't too busy replacing all those Z06 batteries next week.
Must be some badazz mechanics.
Can't wait to meet em!
Hope they aren't too busy replacing all those Z06 batteries next week.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I read the same thing a while ago. But it was only the 05 and 06 from what I recall.
HOWEVER, out of good habit, you should ALWAYS park in reverse. The reason is because if your ebrake ever fails, the car will be sitting on the largest gear which is likely going to hold your car in place on light grades. It's doubtful that your ebrake isn't going to be enough on 1-5% grades, but on larger grades, leaving it in reverse is good insurance. (And of course you should turn your wheels against or away from the curb depending on your direction and if there's a curb.)
There are more pros than cons to parking in reverse. You should do yourself a favor and get in the habit. It may save your car. I can think of a few times I've heard of ebrakes going out and the car rolls down the street and into a house.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock Texas
Cruise-In IX Veteran
This has been a recommended practice from way back. I was taught this in drivers education way back in the day.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I think it was Bill Curlee that had a list of things that commonly cause excessive current draw on the battery, things like ignition switch, seat control switches/wiring, ipod2car cables, etc.
I doubt having the car in reverse has anything to do with it.
I doubt having the car in reverse has anything to do with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Not sure why backing up all day would matter, as if you'd just be backing up all day. But no. The reverse gear set is your largest gear ratio meaning it takes more energy to make the motor spin, which is why it's a good bet your car will stay in place while in reverse.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Newcastle, UK
I agree about the battery dying issue as my Vette eats batteries. Need to measure the current drain when the snow melts. The place where I buy my batteries has a very good return policy so a new battery every 12 months suits me.
Re, leaving our cars in reverse. My whole family leave our cars in gear just like our dad taught us. On the other hand, virtually every single friends car that I've driven or even hire cars, they leave the car in neutral with only the parking brake on.
I arrived at work once and saw one guys car that had rolled backwards out of his parking space. I reckon that his brakes were pretty hot on his drive to work but when he parked up his car after leaving it in neutral and applying the parking brake, his brakes cooled down, contracted and the parking brake eased off and lost it's grip on his car. 
Only relying on a cable which could be rusty, frayed and ready to snap is absolutely crazy.
Re, leaving our cars in reverse. My whole family leave our cars in gear just like our dad taught us. On the other hand, virtually every single friends car that I've driven or even hire cars, they leave the car in neutral with only the parking brake on.
I arrived at work once and saw one guys car that had rolled backwards out of his parking space. I reckon that his brakes were pretty hot on his drive to work but when he parked up his car after leaving it in neutral and applying the parking brake, his brakes cooled down, contracted and the parking brake eased off and lost it's grip on his car. Only relying on a cable which could be rusty, frayed and ready to snap is absolutely crazy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,598
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
That was out of the C5 owners manual. Again as I stated, it does not mention the battery drain at all. As Mr Bill stated, it is because the ratio in reverse is a lower gear and will hold the car better. However I have read somewhere that the C5 when paked still has a small draim on the batter from certain components.
Last edited by BWF07; Nov 27, 2010 at 11:37 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,561
Likes: 166
From: Long Island NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
That was out of the C5 owners manual. Again as I stated, it does not mention the battery drain at all. As Mr Bill stated, it is because the ratio in reverse is a lower gear and will hold the car better. However I have read somewhere that the C5 when paked still has a small draim on the batter from certain components.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Been doing it for over 45 years, never thought it was a big deal - half the cars I owned had an emergency brake that didn't work. If you're worried about battery life get a trickle charger
