klohiq — 25 December 2006, 17:59
Pretty good writeup, but I do disagree with one point:
"Keep your car in gear when parked to stop it rolling around. (1st up hill, reverse downhill.) "
What direction you're facing doesn't matter, what you want is the shortest gear ratio possible to make it hardest for the kenetic energy to move the tranny/engine. All you have to do is think about how quickly the car accelerates and tops out in each gear. The easier the car accelerates in those gears, the harder it is for the car to roll while parked.
Most reference manuals that come with the car will tell you reverse because it is the shortest gear, but first or second is fine too. I tend to leave the car in the last gear I used to park it, usually first or reverse, but due to my 6-speed trannys close ratios I sometimes leave it in second. Even top gear (5th or 6th) is probably more than adequate to keep the car from rolling in most situations, though if you value your car there is little reason to bet on it. Otherwise you did a great write-up.
One other thing is that chains are only okay to use at slow speeds, I believe below 30mph so most people will have no use for them. The advancements in studless snow tires can't be ignored and I reccomend anyone with concerns should try them out.
DaveG — 25 December 2006, 19:49
Excellent points. Feel free to change the base page!
