Question about MN6 Reverse Shifting
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia PA
Question about MN6 Reverse Shifting
Hello,
I read in the Owners Manual that when parking on a hill that the car should be put in Reverse and not 1st gear as I have done with other manual cars. What I found is that it is very easy to pull to a stop, push the clutch in, shift into reverse and then turn the car off and let the clutch out. If I was to pull into my parking spot, push the clutch down, turn off the motor, then try to put the car in reverse it is very difficult.
Do others have this problem, is it very difficult to get the car to shift into reverse when the car is off?
I read in the Owners Manual that when parking on a hill that the car should be put in Reverse and not 1st gear as I have done with other manual cars. What I found is that it is very easy to pull to a stop, push the clutch in, shift into reverse and then turn the car off and let the clutch out. If I was to pull into my parking spot, push the clutch down, turn off the motor, then try to put the car in reverse it is very difficult.
Do others have this problem, is it very difficult to get the car to shift into reverse when the car is off?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Aldie Virginia
Hello,
I read in the Owners Manual that when parking on a hill that the car should be put in Reverse and not 1st gear as I have done with other manual cars. What I found is that it is very easy to pull to a stop, push the clutch in, shift into reverse and then turn the car off and let the clutch out. If I was to pull into my parking spot, push the clutch down, turn off the motor, then try to put the car in reverse it is very difficult.
Do others have this problem, is it very difficult to get the car to shift into reverse when the car is off?
I read in the Owners Manual that when parking on a hill that the car should be put in Reverse and not 1st gear as I have done with other manual cars. What I found is that it is very easy to pull to a stop, push the clutch in, shift into reverse and then turn the car off and let the clutch out. If I was to pull into my parking spot, push the clutch down, turn off the motor, then try to put the car in reverse it is very difficult.
Do others have this problem, is it very difficult to get the car to shift into reverse when the car is off?
I can't comment on the fact whether reverse or first is better, but i think that sort of depends on which way you are facing on the hill...if you are facing nose down, i would recommend REVERSE and vice-a-versa.
I think that is about it...anyone else have anything to add?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 1
From: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
my advice
Sometimes I have trouble getting it into reverse as well. Instead of trying to force it in there, just put the shifter into 1st, then go over to reverse and it is smooth as butter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
You REALLY don't want to use 1st gear to hold your car on even a modest grade. Don't ask how I know (hint - it's a beeyach to catch your ride after about the first 12-15 feet). Use reverse and if the grade is moderately steep, use the emergency brake as well.
Charlie
Charlie
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Sometimes the gears clash when you are trying to shift into reverse. I have found the best way to avoid this is to leave the motor running, shift into reverse and while still pushing on the shifter let the clutch out slowly. If it isn't in reverse the shifter will slide forward so reverse is fully engaged and if it is already in reverse the tach will drop slightly as you engage the clutch. Either way once you know it is in reverse push the clutch in and turn off the motor.
By the way I live on a steep hill and do not need to use the parking brake when the car is in low or reverse. It doesn't have a rice motor so there is enough compression to hold the car in place.
Bill
By the way I live on a steep hill and do not need to use the parking brake when the car is in low or reverse. It doesn't have a rice motor so there is enough compression to hold the car in place.
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Having lived with the hills of San Francisco for many years, here's my advice ...
First, curb your wheels ....
If the car is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels all the way to the left (as if you were turning left) before shutting off the engine and let the front right wheel settle against the curb. If facing downhill, turn the front wheels all the way to the right. This is the law in SF, you'll get ticketed if you don't park this way.
Second, you don't want to spin the motor backward if the car does get away. If the car is facing uphill, put it in reverse. If it is facing downhill, put it in first.
The combination of your parking brake, curbing your wheels, and leaving the car in the (correct) gear, should prevent a "runaway".
First, curb your wheels ....
If the car is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels all the way to the left (as if you were turning left) before shutting off the engine and let the front right wheel settle against the curb. If facing downhill, turn the front wheels all the way to the right. This is the law in SF, you'll get ticketed if you don't park this way.
Second, you don't want to spin the motor backward if the car does get away. If the car is facing uphill, put it in reverse. If it is facing downhill, put it in first.
The combination of your parking brake, curbing your wheels, and leaving the car in the (correct) gear, should prevent a "runaway".
Last edited by BlackZ06; Dec 22, 2006 at 12:36 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I believe it takes about 15 pounds force to overcome the reverse lockout with car off (may have to use both hands). You use reverse beacause it is a lower gear and offers most resistance to moving.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Dec 22, 2006 at 01:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,909
Likes: 1,858
From: Hot Springs AR
The main reason Reverse is recommended is because it's a lower gear than first, and therefore will hold the car better.
Not sure I agree with the comment about spinning the engine backwards: the engine is at rest, there's not attempt to get it to run, and the mechanicals will work as well going backward as forward.
HTH, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike
Not sure I agree with the comment about spinning the engine backwards: the engine is at rest, there's not attempt to get it to run, and the mechanicals will work as well going backward as forward.
HTH, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Mike
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,183
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From: Kannapolis NC
Having lived with the hills of San Francisco for many years, here's my advice ...
First, curb your wheels ....
If the car is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels all the way to the left (as if you were turning left) before shutting off the engine and let the front right wheel settle against the curb. If facing downhill, turn the front wheels all the way to the right. This is the law in SF, you'll get ticketed if you don't park this way.
Second, you don't want to spin the motor backward if the car does get away. If the car is facing uphill, put it in reverse. If it is facing downhill, put it in first.
The combination of your parking brake, curbing your wheels, and leaving the car in the (correct) gear, should prevent a "runaway".
First, curb your wheels ....
If the car is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels all the way to the left (as if you were turning left) before shutting off the engine and let the front right wheel settle against the curb. If facing downhill, turn the front wheels all the way to the right. This is the law in SF, you'll get ticketed if you don't park this way.
Second, you don't want to spin the motor backward if the car does get away. If the car is facing uphill, put it in reverse. If it is facing downhill, put it in first.
The combination of your parking brake, curbing your wheels, and leaving the car in the (correct) gear, should prevent a "runaway".
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
The practice is a safe one. The price for doing it improperly is high. It is REALLY easy to ugly up a $3000 set of wheels. On the other hand, havin' that bad boy roll off down the hill and smack something could be expensive as well.
Has anyone ever tried parking on a hill but putting your car perpendicular to the side of the road? Then all you gotta be worried about is someone tipping it over. Well, that and some Barney Fife looking to make a name for himself writing you a ticket and towing the car away.
Charlie
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
You know those places up around Orlando, when the snow melts and then refreezes and gets slicker than owl feces, and then when you realize the front end of your car is at a lower position than the rear end of your car and they swap rapidly so that now the rear is lower than the front? That's a hill.
Charlie
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
about SFO. I think the reference to "bad practice" relates more to those who don't do it all the time that don't turn the steering wheel all the way over to the lock but rather turn the wheel only slightly. Turn slightly, run into curb, damage wheels.I still think the perpendicular to the street idea is worth trying if someone has the stones to do it (I don't).
Charlie
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 32
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From: Philadelphia PA
Ok, Thanks for the re-assurance guys. It's nice to be able to talk to other vette owners and see if they have similar issues. In my neighborhood, it is hard to find another vette owner.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Has anyone ever tried parking on a hill but putting your car perpendicular to the side of the road? Then all you gotta be worried about is someone tipping it over. Well, that and some Barney Fife looking to make a name for himself writing you a ticket and towing the car away.
Charlie
Biggest problem with this is if your car doors are heavy, depending on which side you're on, either getting out of the car can be a pain (facing uphill) or not smashing the door into the car parked below you (facing downhill) can be difficult too.
Race Director
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Drifting
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From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
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From: Kannapolis NC