Parking on a steep drive

[Fathomer]

My drive is quite steep, and for charging purposes I park facing outwards, uphill. Long term will this cause any problems with transmission, brakes, water collection, fluid levels etc? I am thinking of modifying the drive to make it less steep, but hubby says I am just making problems where none exist. Sometimes the car is left for a month or so. Any thoughts please.

 

[drdel]

When leaving it for a while use wheel chocks - available from caravan stockists.

 

[ChrisMiller]

Our drive is ~10% and the car is always parked facing downhill - the longest it's been left is a couple of weeks, and I haven't seen any problems. I almost always apply the handbrake before putting the car into Park (out of habit, not for any carefully thought through reason) and I notice that if I take the handbrake off before starting up (meaning the locked transmission is then holding the car against the slope), there's a noticeable 'clunk' when I put it into Drive and the parking lock is released.

 

[HHL]

Our drive is ~10% and the car is always parked facing downhill - the longest it's been left is a couple of weeks, and I haven't seen any problems. I almost always apply the handbrake before putting the car into Park (out of habit, not for any carefully thought through reason) and I notice that if I take the handbrake off before starting up (meaning the locked transmission is then holding the car against the slope), there's a noticeable 'clunk' when I put it into Drive and the parking lock is released.

I would definitely put my foot on the brake before releasing the handbrake!
If you look at how the transmission lock works, it is definitely not a good idea to let it hold the car on a steep slope.

 

[ChrisMiller]

I agree, HHL. It's just that occasionally, I forget! Just put it down to advancing years

 

[HHL]

I agree, HHL. It's just that occasionally, I forget! Just put it down to advancing years

Same here... done it a few times and it doesn't feel good.. incidentally, that really applies to any car with auto transmission, not just the PHEV.

 

[jaapv]

That clunk occurs in relatively flat conditions as well occasionally. Although slightly alarming I don't think that it is reall harmful.
The handbrake is relatively useless as the hill-holding system does work well, but it needs to be there as a second mechanical brake is a legal requirement in quite a few countries.

 

[SolarBoy]

When I had my demo car for a weekend, the representative said ensure that the handbrake goes on as well as the transmission brake, my driveway is quite steep.

 

[NightPHEVer]

It's a good idea not to wash the wheels before you park in a situation like this, as if the discs are cold (ie. haven't just been in use) when they get wet the rear calipers will almost certainly lock the brake pads solid on to the discs, when the handbrake is applied. After a month this could rip some of the facing off the pads when you try and move again. It could also damage the surface of the disc where the pad 'sticks' to it. Whether exposure to rain could over a period of time could create a similar effect I don't know, as my cars are always in a garage. I wouldn't have thought so.

I actually did this with my Smart car by putting in the garage after washing it. It was in there for a month with the handbrake applied and when I came to move it the back brakes (drum brakes, so maybe more prone to sticking in this way than discs as they're fully enclosed) were completely siezed on. Had a hell of a job to move it and de-laminated the surface of one of the pads in the process.

I reckon in addition to 'P' button and handbrake I'd chock the wheels too - as long as you remember the chocks are there before you move it again!

 

[Fathomer]

Thanks for all the advice. Will definitely use chocks when we leave it. Might also fit some high 'kerb ramps' for everyday use since they won't be in the way. My longer term plan is to install a steel platform on a frame at the bottom of the slope to level it off a bit.
Loving my new phev 4h. Soo quiet!