parking in gear

[ConeHater]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

The LGVs are automatics and the drive selector should be left in neutral when being parked. An audible warning reminds one to put handbrake on. If the vehicle is not left in neutral and enough air leaks out of the system the vehicle will not start and need to be recovered !

[ted_e_bear]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

The LGVs are automatics and the drive selector should be left in neutral when being parked. An audible warning reminds one to put handbrake on. If the vehicle is not left in neutral and enough air leaks out of the system the vehicle will not start and need to be recovered !

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that but I was answering the question about automatic cars

[no1postie]

now, we all have a preference regarding parking in gear or in neutral. i'm not saying i'm right (yet) i have researched the highway code and police advice and have not yet found any evidence to support leaving a vehicle in gear is correct. i have been on the road for about 50 years man and boy. when i met people who left their car in gear, i assumed the car was not serviced or maintained properly as handbrake efficency is part of an MOT. royal mail keep pushing this s**t about leave in gear, turn wheels to kerb, etc. because they know the vans are all knackered and people in decent vans are too busy to remember the basics, like putting on the handbrake.

[ted_e_bear]

now, we all have a preference regarding parking in gear or in neutral. i'm not saying i'm right (yet) i have researched the highway code and police advice and have not yet found any evidence to support leaving a vehicle in gear is correct. i have been on the road for about 50 years man and boy. when i met people who left their car in gear, i assumed the car was not serviced or maintained properly as handbrake efficency is part of an MOT. royal mail keep pushing this s**t about leave in gear, turn wheels to kerb, etc. because they know the vans are all knackered and people in decent vans are too busy to remember the basics, like putting on the handbrake.

It's taken me about 30 seconds to find it in the highway code, a quick Google search of "highway code park in gear" comes up with this, apparently it's rule 252

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... 238-to-252

Hopefully that will do to put this subject to rest.

[no1postie]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

parking in gear does not "lock the tranmission" it puts the engine on compression. have you ever changed a gearbox ?

[ted_e_bear]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

parking in gear does not "lock the tranmission" it puts the engine on compression. have you ever changed a gearbox ?

Actually yes, it was about 35 years ago, my MK1 escort, must admit a mate did most of it I just helped, but I digress, yes you're correct, because the engine is compressed it would make it very difficult for the car wheels to turn if the car was left in gear whilst the engine wasn't running, not sure why you think I needed to have changed a gearbox to know that though.

Anyway I've already provided you with a link to the relevant section of the highway code that you say you researched including instructions as to how you could have found it for yourself so can we please put this tedious thread to bed now.

[no1postie]

because your statement that it "locks the transmission" was incorrect.

[Tman]

You said, "why do automatics have "park", to which the answer given was "because it locks the transmission"

This is correct, and it does.

[ted_e_bear]

because your statement that it "locks the transmission" was incorrect.

Your original question was "why do automatic cars have park"

Here's another explanation I found by doing a simple Google search for "park automatic car"

https://www.learn-automatic.com/tutoria ... ined/park/

I said It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

And yes it is, putting the car in gear does provide an extra level of preventing the car from moving.

As I said this is getting particularly tedious now.

[KarlG]

You should always start the engine with the clutch down anyway, because even in neutral you will still be turning the gears within the gearbox which will put some extra load on the starter motor / batteries.

As for automatics there are two types. Ones which use a torque converter instead of a clutch plate, these you need to put into park which locks transmission to the drive wheels incase the park brake fails. There is no way of holding the vehicle with the engine compression due to the way the torque converter works.

Then there are the LGV/HGV's which all the Royal Mail ones are all automatics with manual gearboxes with a normal clutch plate. The reason why these are left in neutral is because of the air brakes which have spring brake chambers, once the park brake is on the spring will apply constant pressure until you build enough air into the system to hold the spring off, so even if brakes have got really hot it will take up the slack as they cool.

Also the MOT cert only proves it met the Minimum requirements at time of testing. There are various other factors, such as overheating the brakes which causes expansion, so it will hold fine whilst still hot, but once cooled it will release slightly, then you have cable stretch, caliper sliders seized, rust spots which could all effect it enough to start creeping away.

I think in the old days when cars had no immobilizer it's possible for the car to roll away an bump start itself if left in the correct gear and literally drive off by itself. That's why you had to park in reverse for downhill and forward for uphill, so if it rolled away the 4-stroke cycle would be reversed and combustion is not possible.

[Numberone63]

Jeeeeeeeez. Just park in gear and turn the wheels. DONE!!!!

[ted_e_bear]

Jeeeeeeeez. Just park in gear and turn the wheels. DONE!!!!

That's what I thought but some of our colleagues can't quite grasp that simple concept.

[Numberone63]

Haahahaha. Do as you’re asked. Take your breaks. Start on time. Finish on time. Smile at the customers. Nod to the managers. Don’t take the pee. It’s really is that easy. I’ve had time to think about things being off on a career break. It just isn’t worth the worry. What a mess the company is in. Don’t reckon I’m going back. Good luck to all. There’s more to life than letters, packets and leaflets.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Which one of you signs for the van keys? That's only person that should drive, if you havnt signed for the van keys and you have a bump, good luck

I've seen lots of routes which require both parties to drive, they've probably evolved that way. On the PDA you are meant to add a second driver in that scenario.

It just shows how different offices work, it's a no no at ours

Because you’re not allowed to.

Unless someone can produce and updated ssow on this.

Never known 2 people to be allowed to drive the same van on p&l.

Technically it's allowed and possible. But at each driver change the new driver should fill out the log book. Not to do so it against company policy and Road Traffic regulations.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26209

Driver Responsibility
While using shared vans, drivers must follow instructions (contained in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles policy, located on the 6 phase intranet site) by completing the logbook as described. Under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Royal Mail has a legal obligation to provide, when required, details on the identity of any driver using a vehicle at a particular time. In order to fulfil this obligation, the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook (the logbook) will be used as the primary day-to-day control record.

For the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the driver whose name is last recorded in the logbook will be considered responsible for the roadworthiness and security of the vehicle until responsibility is transferred to the next driver by signature in the logbook. Only the driver whose name is recorded in the logbook may drive the vehicle until responsibility is transferred. Subsequent drivers must carry out at least a “duty” level (roadworthiness) vehicle check before driving and the vehicle logbook must be completed in line with the example used in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles Policy, located in the 6 phase intranet site).

Drivers must be able to provide a detailed and accurate record of vehicle transfer between themselves and another driver/s via the logbook.

It is a very serious offence to drive a vehicle without the appropriate driving licence and necessary permission. Any breach of this condition will be treated under the Royal Mail Conduct Code.

[pieoftheday]

Which one of you signs for the van keys? That's only person that should drive, if you havnt signed for the van keys and you have a bump, good luck

I've seen lots of routes which require both parties to drive, they've probably evolved that way. On the PDA you are meant to add a second driver in that scenario.

It just shows how different offices work, it's a no no at ours

Because you’re not allowed to.

Unless someone can produce and updated ssow on this.

Never known 2 people to be allowed to drive the same van on p&l.

Technically it's allowed and possible. But at each driver change the new driver should fill out the log book. Not to do so it against company policy and Road Traffic regulations.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26209

Driver Responsibility
While using shared vans, drivers must follow instructions (contained in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles policy, located on the 6 phase intranet site) by completing the logbook as described. Under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Royal Mail has a legal obligation to provide, when required, details on the identity of any driver using a vehicle at a particular time. In order to fulfil this obligation, the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook (the logbook) will be used as the primary day-to-day control record.

For the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the driver whose name is last recorded in the logbook will be considered responsible for the roadworthiness and security of the vehicle until responsibility is transferred to the next driver by signature in the logbook. Only the driver whose name is recorded in the logbook may drive the vehicle until responsibility is transferred. Subsequent drivers must carry out at least a “duty” level (roadworthiness) vehicle check before driving and the vehicle logbook must be completed in line with the example used in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles Policy, located in the 6 phase intranet site).

Drivers must be able to provide a detailed and accurate record of vehicle transfer between themselves and another driver/s via the logbook.

It is a very serious offence to drive a vehicle without the appropriate driving licence and necessary permission. Any breach of this condition will be treated under the Royal Mail Conduct Code.

Log book? Are some offices still using them?