and the day your park break fails, off goes the car into a wall or post.


I would never trust the parking break, especially since it is working on drum breaks.

I thought that put MORE stress on tran than putting in N.
I read that it was easier on the engine to be in N since it'* pulling against the brakes when your sitting at a light in gear, so if you do a lot of stop and go city driving you could bring your gas mileage up by 1 or 2 mpg by putting it in N if you sit for extended periods.

The only thing I can think to argue against leaving drive was the way I was taught.

You want to make sure you have enough room to swerve/maneuver around the car in front of you, and watch the cars behind you. That way, if it looks like someone behind you ain't gonna make the stop, you can try to avoid being hit from behind.

This is especially important up north, where the roads can get kinda slick.

I also proved this theory a week or two ago. I barely slid to a stop in time, due to ice. I knew it was a long light I had just stopped for, so I took the chance to grab a sip of coffee and was going to light a smoke. Then, I notice headlights in th mirror. It only took a couple of seconds to realize that same patch of ice was gonna sneak up on him. So, nobody coming on the cross street, I punch it through. He finnaly stopped at what looked like 3 or 4 feet past where I was. If I was in anything other than drive, my car would probably still be in the shop.

That can't be right, I thought it would put more wear and tear by having to shift from P or N to D because the gears will have to mesh again, I must be confused.

Applies to Acuras in MN more than any other car.

Good job avoiding the accident. I keep a hand on the shifter if I pop it out. Would have had the ability to do the same.

On the temp issue Rogue brings up, engine though..not transmission. I have noticed my car heating up and I'll be flushing and possibly changing the radiator this coming year. However..my temps do stay lower if in neutural and there is no load on the engine.

its nothing more than having your foot on the actuall brake....

Nothing against you Pat.. this is not a very safe practice. Neutral is good and park is fine. You gain nothing by leaving the car in gear and only ask for issues getting out with the car in gear and brake set. What if the brakes are out of adjustment. Not aiming to go off topic, but wanted to clear up that leaving the car in gear and getting out is clearly not the best practice. Owners manual should state, put car in park, set parking brake and turn it off.

i must agree....didn't someone post a vid of a cop losing his car accross the street during a routine traffic stop?

Not only that, but if you check, most places that is illegal! The reason the owner'* manual specifies as Bill says, is because it'* not only the safest practice, it'* the law.

once again, y'all force me into agreeing with Bill. I hate when that happens

i know this is not safe but understand i only do this when i am either in the car....say at the ATM wating in line, or talking to one of my friends in the parking lot I also will do this if i am getting out of the car just to check on something.....I wouldnt do it when it endangers the saftey of me, my car or others....