Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Parking in gear

Perhaps not necessarily an M3W specific question but thought this might be the right bunch to ask...
1. Park in gear or in neutral?
2. If in gear is recommended - step on clutch before putting into gear?

Bonus question... somewhat related:
3. Step on clutch when firing up the engine?

Would appreciate your advice/opinions.

Thanks gents

Park in neutral. If someone or something hits your vehicle there is no reason to wreck the transmission too.

Make sure it is in neutral before starting the engine then there is less that can go wrong.

1) Depends. Neutral on the level, in gear on a slope.
2) Shouldn't be necessary, but I usually do.
3) Shouldn't be necessary, but I usually do.

Never with gear
And Never park home with hand brake

At home in garage, neutral, no handbrake.
Everywhere else, in gear and handbrake on.
Don't trust a fly off handbrake to stay on.
Start with clutch pedal depressed.

I am with Calum on this although a four wheeler.

Same Has Atalante
and most importantly, never handbrake in the garage, especially for prolonged non-use....

I remember well the story of the chap who left his kids in the Morgan and went into a shop, it must have been a four seater, the kids were mucking about as kids do.... so easy to release handbrake.... and they did, the Morgan was on a hill, and off they went...!!!

Fortunately no damage to the kids, but the Morgan took a hit.. Your choice whether to park in gear or not but perhaps best to engage your brain when making choices..

Sure handbrakes can stick on if the vehicle is laid up or even parked at an airport car park for a couple of weeks, dependant on climatic conditions...

Any idea of how many people have damaged themselves, sometimes considerably so, since electric handbrakes with digitally programmed auto release came into use..?

Yup handbrakes are ..err...handy, but over reliance on them may be unwise..?

Just thinking in type..

1. Yes, always park in gear. For the reasons others have stated, in case of handbrake failure.
2. Doesn't matter.
3. Yes (personal preference).

When I had a job where we shared company cars I often had complaints from people who had shot forward on stating one I had previously driven. I was surprised how many people don't check that a car is in neutral before turning the key, but I saw that as their problem!

Roadster, and our Mini come to think of it, won't start unless you put your foot on the clutch. Always aware on steep hills when applying handbrake so leaving in first as well is a no brainer.