<VV> leaving it in gear, was: Neutral Safety switch

[Mark Corbin]

Never said what I do is in an owner's manual, nor for that matter what
"every body else" THINKS should be done. Truth is, probably most of the
emergency brakes on cars today have never been used. People always put it
(automatics) in park and leave it. I know I do in most of my non-Corvairs.

I'm used to the Corvair automatic, where you HAVE to use the hand brake.
You don't leave an automatic Corvair in gear, do you? So since I USE the
Corvair hand brake, what's the sense of leaving a manual Corvair in gear?
Ok, I can understand it on a steep grade (and I DO "leave it in gear" on
such a grade), but otherwise no. My own personal preference is to just keep
doing what I do with an automatic Corvair, leave it in neutral and use the
handbrake. And let others do their thing, as they choose.

I still like my idea of requiring that the car be in neutral in order to be
started, despite what "Big Brother" thinks should be the way.

-Mark

> [Original Message]
> From: Frank DuVal <corvairduval at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Neutral Safety switch
>
> 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
> >