"P" equivalent for a 6MT

manxs · 04-25-2007, 06:48 PM

Hey,

So I have a 2007 328i 6MT. One of my buddies told me that when you park (engine off etc) the car, you should not engage it in a gear, as it is bad for the trans..

Just wondering what you guys think? do you:
A) Put it in a gear
B) Engage the hand brake
c) Both
d) Neither

Thanks.

STE92VE · 04-25-2007, 06:49 PM

Both, but put it in gear after the e-brake is applied.

Carnage · 04-25-2007, 06:50 PM

both and I'd love to hear your buddies reasoning as to why it's bad.

epiphone3 · 04-25-2007, 06:51 PM

both.

Just press the clutch pedal in and let it out before you get out of the car with your foot off the brake. THis will unload any weight on the transmission.

Rawhyde · 04-25-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epiphone3

both.

Just press the clutch pedal in and let it out before you get out of the car with your foot off the brake. THis will unload any weight on the transmission.

+1

Rawhyde

FrankoQ · 04-25-2007, 06:57 PM

I leave it in neutral and apply the hand brake.

DanMardik · 04-25-2007, 07:02 PM

I usually put it in gear with the car off, *usually dont use the clutch for this* and then put on the hand brake. I've been doing it this way for years.

kevbh · 04-25-2007, 07:03 PM

If your buddy thinks it's bad to leave a car in gear while parked can you image the damage that must be occuring while applying throttle!

On a more serious note - choose a low gear, either 1st or reverse.

dmm325 · 04-25-2007, 07:11 PM

your friend i think might be wrong..

I had a friend who had a saab in a 5mt and he told me he was advised by the dealership to keep the car in reverse when he shuts the car off as it would act as a brake and well nothing to do with bmw but also a security measure.

Ive been keeping it in first or reverse since ive learned to drive stick, ive always heard keeping it in gear acts like another brake.

bmw0perat0r · 04-25-2007, 07:31 PM

I do not leave it in gear. The reasoning behind this is something along the lines of...

If you are parked and have the vehicle in gear and someone hits you there is a high possibility the engine or transmission will be damaged by the movement and the resistance of engine/trans during impact. Alternatively if you aren't parking in a place where this could happen...probably a non-issue.

I figure its not worth the risk...if the car gets hit and you just have the hand break applied...worst that can happen is body damage and maybe needing a new hand brake assembly...

mike fab · 04-25-2007, 07:36 PM

I put it in gear every time. Hand brake first. Then I pop it into first. I've driven several manual cars for a total of about 400K miles without ever replacing a clutch or having an issue, so how bad can it be?

Also, every time I've gone out to my car its still there and hasn't rolled away. There is actually some value to leaving it in gear and pulling the hand brake...

BK · 04-25-2007, 07:42 PM

I always stop in neutral, pull the handbrake, let the car rest on the brake, shut off the car, then put it in first before I get out. I've been doing this on MT cars forever. What's this about pushing in the clutch again after putting it in gear? I've never heard of that.

iatacs19 · 04-25-2007, 07:53 PM

I leave it in Neutral + handbrake if it's a level surface, if not then I do Reverse + handbrake.

ganeil · 04-25-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevbh

If your buddy thinks it's bad to leave a car in gear while parked can you image the damage that must be occuring while applying throttle!

On a more serious note - choose a low gear, either 1st or reverse.

+1

darkcloud · 04-25-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iatacs19

I leave it in Neutral + handbrake if it's a level surface, if not then I do Reverse + handbrake.

Yup. I go 1st + handbrake if facing uphill and reverse + handbreak if facing downhill.

theroyalwe · 04-25-2007, 08:09 PM

I tend to engage the handbrake and then release the clutch leaving it in either reverse or first. everyone has sound reasoning... I like the idea of having an extra measure should the handbrake fail (had it happen once, car rolled into a hedge, scratched 2 day old paint all down the side). also if someone hits my car hard enough to damage the trans or engine I don't want the car anymore anyway... if they are broken it just brings the figure up higher giving a higher chance of having the car totalled.

BK · 04-25-2007, 08:12 PM

Plus, the BMW handbrake is weird, so I don't trust leaving my car in neutral.

On the E90, you engage the handbrake, and the car rolls an inch and settles into it -- sort of the same way as putting an AT into park. Every other car I've had, the handbrake actually brakes the wheels without any rolling.

Couch · 04-25-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Plus, the BMW handbrake is weird, so I don't trust leaving my car in neutral.

On the E90, you engage the handbrake, and the car rolls an inch and settles into it -- sort of the same way as putting an AT into park. Every other car I've had, the handbrake actually brakes the wheels without any rolling.

+1

The first day I had it I forgot something in my friends house and thought the ground was pretty flat and just threw the handbrake up. Apparently wasn't high enough, so it began to roll as I got out of the car.

I only leave it in neutral in my garage with the handbrake. I put it in 2nd gear with the handbrake anywhere else. Don't ask me why 2nd gear, I just do.

liquid · 04-25-2007, 08:39 PM

Good info guys. I have always used the handbrake. Thats will change tomorrow.

james

marcvtec · 04-25-2007, 08:56 PM

shut off car, pull handbrake let the weight of the car transfer to the handbrake. than if level ground don't bothered if on hill stick it in 1st as a backup should th e-brake fail.

no need to load the tranny with the weight of the car.

Chesmu · 04-25-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkcloud

Yup. I go 1st + handbrake if facing uphill and reverse + handbreak if facing downhill.

+1

WGScales · 04-25-2007, 09:25 PM

Transmission in reverse and hand brake engaged.

04-25-2007, 06:48 PM	#1
manxs Enlisted Member 2 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Cpe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA - Bay Area iTrader: (0)	"P" equivalent for a 6MT Hey, So I have a 2007 328i 6MT. One of my buddies told me that when you park (engine off etc) the car, you should not engage it in a gear, as it is bad for the trans.. Just wondering what you guys think? do you: A) Put it in a gear B) Engage the hand brake c) Both d) Neither Thanks. __________________ Manxs 2007 328i Coupe - Sport, Premium, Comfort & Nav
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04-25-2007, 06:49 PM	#2
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 218 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Both, but put it in gear after the e-brake is applied. __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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04-25-2007, 06:50 PM	#3
Carnage Lieutenant General 341 Rep 16,407 Posts Drives: people insane Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: classified iTrader: (2)	both and I'd love to hear your buddies reasoning as to why it's bad.
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04-25-2007, 06:51 PM	#4
epiphone3 Lieutenant Colonel 111 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	both. Just press the clutch pedal in and let it out before you get out of the car with your foot off the brake. THis will unload any weight on the transmission.
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04-25-2007, 06:57 PM	#6
FrankoQ Deny everything 219 Rep 11,378 Posts Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW X6 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I leave it in neutral and apply the hand brake. __________________ I need a drink
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04-25-2007, 07:02 PM	#7
DanMardik Captain 17 Rep 729 Posts Drives: 08 INFINITI G37S Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	I usually put it in gear with the car off, usually dont use the clutch for this and then put on the hand brake. I've been doing it this way for years. __________________ *RIP 2007 335i Sedan*
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04-25-2007, 07:03 PM	#8
kevbh Private First Class 8 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2013 320i, E46 M3 track car Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: On Track iTrader: (0)	If your buddy thinks it's bad to leave a car in gear while parked can you image the damage that must be occuring while applying throttle! On a more serious note - choose a low gear, either 1st or reverse. __________________ 2013 320i, 6sp Manual, Sport Package / 2003 M3 track car
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04-25-2007, 07:11 PM	#9
dmm325 First Lieutenant 11 Rep 353 Posts Drives: Titanium Silver E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (6)	your friend i think might be wrong.. I had a friend who had a saab in a 5mt and he told me he was advised by the dealership to keep the car in reverse when he shuts the car off as it would act as a brake and well nothing to do with bmw but also a security measure. Ive been keeping it in first or reverse since ive learned to drive stick, ive always heard keeping it in gear acts like another brake. __________________ 2007 E90 335i / Titanium Silver / 6-Speed / ZSP / 6FL / Turbo Tuner / Blacklines / 19 inch 5 Zigen Black with Polished Lip Sports Engines / 25% Tint
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04-25-2007, 07:31 PM	#10
bmw0perat0r Lieutenant 53 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Austin Yellow Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I do not leave it in gear. The reasoning behind this is something along the lines of... If you are parked and have the vehicle in gear and someone hits you there is a high possibility the engine or transmission will be damaged by the movement and the resistance of engine/trans during impact. Alternatively if you aren't parking in a place where this could happen...probably a non-issue. I figure its not worth the risk...if the car gets hit and you just have the hand break applied...worst that can happen is body damage and maybe needing a new hand brake assembly...
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04-25-2007, 07:36 PM	#11
mike fab Private First Class 6 Rep 199 Posts Drives: 335 Coupe (sold) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rural NJ iTrader: (0)	I put it in gear every time. Hand brake first. Then I pop it into first. I've driven several manual cars for a total of about 400K miles without ever replacing a clutch or having an issue, so how bad can it be? Also, every time I've gone out to my car its still there and hasn't rolled away. There is actually some value to leaving it in gear and pulling the hand brake...
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04-25-2007, 07:42 PM	#12
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I always stop in neutral, pull the handbrake, let the car rest on the brake, shut off the car, then put it in first before I get out. I've been doing this on MT cars forever. What's this about pushing in the clutch again after putting it in gear? I've never heard of that. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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04-25-2007, 07:53 PM	#13
iatacs19 Major General 459 Rep 5,319 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (8)	I leave it in Neutral + handbrake if it's a level surface, if not then I do Reverse + handbrake.
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04-25-2007, 08:09 PM	#16
theroyalwe BMW CA 5 Rep 304 Posts Drives: MINI, all BMW's Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	I tend to engage the handbrake and then release the clutch leaving it in either reverse or first. everyone has sound reasoning... I like the idea of having an extra measure should the handbrake fail (had it happen once, car rolled into a hedge, scratched 2 day old paint all down the side). also if someone hits my car hard enough to damage the trans or engine I don't want the car anymore anyway... if they are broken it just brings the figure up higher giving a higher chance of having the car totalled. __________________
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04-25-2007, 08:12 PM	#17
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Plus, the BMW handbrake is weird, so I don't trust leaving my car in neutral. On the E90, you engage the handbrake, and the car rolls an inch and settles into it -- sort of the same way as putting an AT into park. Every other car I've had, the handbrake actually brakes the wheels without any rolling. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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04-25-2007, 08:39 PM	#19
liquid Lieutenant 67 Rep 583 Posts Drives: graphite 328i E92 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South FL iTrader: (1)	Good info guys. I have always used the handbrake. Thats will change tomorrow. james
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04-25-2007, 08:56 PM	#20
marcvtec Banned 407 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	shut off car, pull handbrake let the weight of the car transfer to the handbrake. than if level ground don't bothered if on hill stick it in 1st as a backup should th e-brake fail. no need to load the tranny with the weight of the car.
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04-25-2007, 09:25 PM	#22
WGScales Private 3 Rep 63 Posts Drives: Merlot Red 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 535xi Touring [0.00] 2003 Z4 3.0 Roadster [6.00] 2011 128i M-Sport [0.00]	Transmission in reverse and hand brake engaged.
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