<VV> Neutral Safety switch

[Frank DuVal]

Usually I agree with Mark and don't try to engage him in minor annoyance 
bickering like has been the norm for the past few weeks, but...

On what planet has ANY owner's manual recommended NOT  putting the 
manual transmission in a low gear (typically first or reverse) when parking?

Most three on the tree, and some floor four speeds, were made so one HAD 
to put the transmission in reverse to remove the key. This happened when 
we went to column mounted ignition switches. Look at any of the big 
three manufacturers column shift manuals starting in 1968 and you will 
see this.

And don't get this list started on Saabs... At least they put the 
ignition switch next to the floor shift to remind you it needed to be in 
reverse to remove the key...

Fords required you to go an extra step and depress a button on the 
column to remove the key.

As a shop owner I would never leave a manual transmission car in neutral 
when I parked it. It probably negates the clause in my garage keepers 
liability insurance policy of not doing everything in my power to 
protect my customer's cars. Well, back when I had a shop...

Never seen a manual transmission car roll away in gear. Seen enough roll 
away in neutral.

Frank DuVal
Barely up to using the left to type.

Mark Corbin wrote:

>Actually, in a Corvair, the neutral safety switch performs two functions.
>First of course, it keeps the starter from being engaged if the car isn't
>in neutral. But its second function is to interrupt the juice to the backup
>lights if the car isn't in reverse. Otherwise, the backup lights would be
>constantly on. Just jumper it some time if you doubt me.
>
>As far as putting in the clutch when starting a manual trans Corvair, why?
>And NO, I don't put in the clutch, because that's a wasted effort. It
>always annoyed me when I'd step into my car after my mechanic had parked
>it, only to hit the starter and have the car leap forward. Stupid idiot
>didn't leave it in neutral and pull the handbrake like he's supposed to.
>That's how Corvairs are supposed to be left, in neutral with the handbrake
>pulled.. So every time after leaving it with him, I have to check to see if
>the car's in neutral, like it's supposed to be. (Note that I live in the
>flatlands, Seth.)
>
>Now if you REALLY want to improve modern cars, have it so that manual trans
>cars can't be started unless the trans is in neutral. LOL
>
>-Mark
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