manual transmission and rolling downhill

[mitt]

One more thing I thought of, see what your manual says for what gear to use.  I think some cars say to use reverse gear.

mitt

[Johnny OrganDonor]

One more thing I thought of, see what your manual says for what gear to use.  I think some cars say to use reverse gear.

mitt

It's probably just a matter of using the shorter gear of the two.  I've had e-brakes freeze up in cold weather - I tend not to use 'em in the winter.

[redxblack]

I've asked my wife to shift in the opposite direction of the hill. She's used to leaving it in first on relatively flat ground.

I've driven the 6 spd and LOVED it. If this wasn't under warranty, I'd seriously consider modding this one with a 6 spd. Apparently, they bolt on cleanly.

[erkishhorde]

It's probably just a matter of using the shorter gear of the two.  I've had e-brakes freeze up in cold weather - I tend not to use 'em in the winter.

Had to get a couple friends to help me push an old VW bug that had the parking brake rust overnight. The clunk of it breaking loose was disturbing.

On topic, nope, never had a car roll while in gear and off. Although, once in heavy rain my civic SLID SIDEWAYS about a foot toward a drainage way while I was stopped at a light. It was the first heavy rain of the season and all the oil coming up made me drift. Scary as heck.

[Raux]

I always park with the car in gear opposite of the hill, wheels turned the correct way AND the parking brake on

better safe than sorry.

[badgalbetty]

The hand brake is put on the car for a reason. Use it. 
Weight has nothing to do with a vehicle moving or not. When I drove semi, if I did not apply the maxxis( slang for tractor and trailer air brakes) the truck would roll- anywhere. Apply the brake and if you are inclined to leave it in gear then do that as well.

[Bladecutter]

First off, read the owners manual.
It might say to use first gear or reverse, as some cars recommend one over the other for parking.
They will all say to also use the parking brake.

The reason why the car is rolling is because the engine is a small displacement engine, with extremely low friction engine internals.

Once the car is on a grade of any form, the weight of the car is able to exert enough force to overcome all the friction created by the axles, transmission, and the engine piston rings on the cylinder walls. What's good for fuel economy is not good for holding a vehicle still on a grade.

BC.

[redxblack]

Makes sense. More sense than the guy at the service dept saying "it's supposed to do that" after confirming what I thought was problematic seemed problematic to him as well.

non-problem solved I guess.

[Ratfink749]

Is the car all wheel drive?  I've been in some AWD GM cars that have this exact problem and its a result of the front and rear drivelines slipping inside of the transfer case. (because its viscous/clutch drive and not a 100% locked chain drive)  If this is the case, then YES it is normal and YES.. set the parking brake.  If its not AWD.. well then..  I'm stumped.

[redxblack]

FWD, not AWD. Yeah, it's weird.

[the_Journeyman]

I've never had this happen, so I have little to offer.  However, I have had a Honda Accord I-4 w/ 5-speed and no rolling regardless of gear, same with my '94 Cavalier, again, I-4 w/ 5-speed.  My V8 Dakota w/ 5-speed doesn't roll either.

I understand the parking brake + cold weather thing though.  Stuck brakes are an issue.

JM

[ducpainter]

My Focus does the same thing. Has since brand new, so I don't think there's anything 'wrong' with the car.

[lethe]

My Focus does the same thing. Has since brand new, so I don't think there's anything 'wrong' with the car.

What's wrong with your car is the loose nut behind the wheel.

[Randimus Maximus]

From page 130 in the Owners Manual:

"When parking, firmly apply the parking brake to avoid inadvertent creeping."

[lethe]

From page 130 in the Owners Manual:

"When parking, firmly apply the parking brake to avoid inadvertent creeping."

so it's a creepy car you say?