Never - generation thing I think... When I learnt to drive hand brakes were reliable and so it wasn't needed.

 Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

taztastic wrote:

bought by people who spend time comparing lettuce not people who need it to do a proper job.

My Mrs can spend 5 minutes deciding which pack of bacon to buy in a supermarket she looks and looks at the fat, pointless as she can only see the top slice anyway. (then I walk up to the trolley see the dreaded Danish bacon symbol on the bacon and chuck it onto the nearest shelf)


she can also spend a minute or two comparing bags of identical salad  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I always leave manuals in gear.In the past three years ive seen two cars on the hill where I live roll down the hill and hit parked cars at the bottom, if they had left them in gear this would not of happened also if you face down hill and turn your wheels into the kurb this will also stop you rolling down. People dont realise that if they just put there handbrake on lightly then when the brakes cool they will shrink slightly just enough for the car to start moving and gather speed.

I say never... There are no hills where I live. If I needed to stop on a bill then I would almost certainly leave it in gear and point the wheels into the kirb. I don't do the as a rule of thumb though.

Infact - in my auto, if I'm on the flat - I never use the hand brake Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Captain Worm wrote:

Never - generation thing I think... When I learnt to drive hand brakes were reliable and so it wasn't needed.

Interesting comment.

On the Mini2 Forum that I used to spend time on, many "new generation" drivers would complain bitterly that BMW "should compensate them" for damage caused when handbrakes failed to hold their MINIs on hills.

Many newer cars (MINI included) have discs all round and, when the rear discs contract as they cool after a journey, the pressure from the brake pads is reduced and Bingo, it rolls down the hill without any help from mechanical failure. Trust the handbrake at your peril!

I use the handbrake and leave it in gear every time. On a steep hill (this is Cornwall), I'll turn the steering so that the front wheels rest againt the curb too; all classic olddie stuff!

When i did my LR experience I was told that in my manual XS I should always leave in gear- albeit I still use handbrake
In view of post's my change this 'habit' 2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

chicken george wrote:

(then I walk up to the trolley see the dreaded Danish bacon symbol on the bacon and chuck it onto the nearest shelf)

[rant]Are you referring to a sachet of, bacon flavoured, Danish water there? Doesn't anyone remember how the last slice shrank to a fraction of its original size under the grille the next time they buy some bacon?

If they put any more water in their bacon, they'll need to sell it in a bottle [/rant]

I agree with you there Tigger, the amount of water in packet bacon is dreadful, same for some supermarket chicken too, I think Asda were the worst for this.
Sainsburys chicken is OK but the air they breathe could be more pure, taints the meat a little

Anyway to get back on topic, my butcher shop is on a hill and I use the handbrake, even with an auto, if you dont use the handbrake and the car rolls a little when in park, it can be difficult to get out of park and into drive.

Likewise, I use the handbrake always with the Auto, handbrake first, let the car settle then move into 'Park' otherwise it is difficult to get out of.
Looking at the 'Park' cog it's not looking like the strongest bit of gear around so I treat it with care.

Park it in gear, First or Reverse as appropriate, pull up handbrake as far a possible, then get SWMBO to pull it up at least two more notches (they seem to find that easy!) turn wheels into curb, get 4 bricks out of boot and fit firmly under front of wheels (back of wheels in pointing up hill), tie strong rope around tow ball and then tie to towing eye on car behind you (if facing downhill). CG you won't understand that bit.

Alternatively, live in the Fens or get an auto and leave it in Park handbrake on.

What's all this 'parking' nonsense - shouldn't you be driving it  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

"Many newer cars (MINI included) have discs all round and, when the rear discs contract as they cool after a journey, the pressure from the brake pads is reduced and Bingo, it rolls down the hill without any help from mechanical failure. Trust the handbrake at your peril!"

My Parents found this out to their cost ! their car ran away down their drive and demolished the wall about two hours after it was parked there ! Their Meriva is an Auto & the late Craptronic boxes do not have park !
The engine has to be switched off whilst still in gear on the auto & that stops it rolling away ! Only problem is there is no mention of it in the handbook !

A "Craptronic" gearbox. I've not heard of that one

modern electric handbrakes give the brakes an extra squeeze after a few minutes, by then the disc should have cooled enough. the guide at the evoque production line told us that. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

"A "Craptronic" gearbox. I've not heard of that one"

Drive one & you will know where it got its name from ! most awfull thing I have ever driven auto wise, apart from a daff 33