I leave standard trannies in gear - usually 1st or reverse.  Never use a
parking brake unless I'm in SanFran.

Won't drive an automatic unless it's a rental.  Been told never to leave an
automatic parked in park, since the slightest tap will break the parking
pawls.  Don't own one, so it doesn't much matter.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
joel walker
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 11:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: women and standard gearbox

> Strange.  I've been leaving all my manual vehicles in 1st or reverse
> when parked and have been doing so without problems since the mid
> '50s.

i've always been taught to NOT leave it in gear, cause it puts strain
on the transmission (if parked on a hill) AND if some moron bumps your
car while getting in or out of the next parking space behind/before
you, it can seriously damage your transmission.

but then, i've also been taught to pull up the parking brake BEFORE
putting an automatic transmission into Park. :)

unca joel