[joshDub]

Relying on a manual to stay in gear as an ebrake is a risky game. You need to use both, not one or the other. It is too easy to bump it out of gear, or for you to have not engaged it all of the way without knowing. Also depending on how steep your hills are, engine compression might not even be enough.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by joshDub

Relying on a manual to stay in gear as an ebrake is a risky game. You need to use both, not one or the other. It is too easy to bump it out of gear, or for you to have not engaged it all of the way without knowing. Also depending on how steep your hills are, engine compression might not even be enough.

Leaving a car in ist gear (manual) or Park (auto) is 100x more effective than a parking brake which relies on the tension of a cable to maintain braking force. How exactly does a transmission jump out if gear in a parked gar? It doesn't. The resistance of the engine's compression and the clamping force/friction material of the pressure plate/clutch disc far exceeds the clamping force of an emergency brake and cable. Come on, have you driven off with your emergency brake on? In most cases, you hardly notice it is on. Have you ever tried to push a car while it is 1st gear? The tires slide on the pavement before the engine will turn over.

[Will]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

Have you ever tried to push a car while it is 1st gear? The tires slide on the pavement before the engine will turn over.

Ever push-started a car with a dead battery?

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by Will

Ever push-started a car with a dead battery?

Yep, many times. If you are going to tell me you and your other super hero friends were able to push the car in 1st gear or reverse from a dead stop, then fly on over here with your super powers so I can shake your hand.

Have 2-3 guys push a car in first gear, clutch pedal in, ignition off, to a running pace. Drop the clutch in 1st and see what happens. I'll give you a hint, the car stops ... very quickly.

As kids, we figured out pretty quickly you could not overcome the engine compression (braking) in first gear so we used 3rd or 4th when push starting. The torque multiplication is reversed.