Hey all, I just picked up my Roadster S from the dealer two days ago. Last night I was visiting some friends and parked in their driveway, which had a 10, MAYBE 15-degree incline to it. I didn't think anything about it, but imagine my surprise when I came out a few hours later and my brand new car was part way into the road. Is this a known issue with Minis that they can't handle any kind of incline without setting the hand brake? Or do I need to go have a few words with the dealership? Because if it's the former, it's pretty damned ridiculous. The Ford I traded in would have to be practically vertical before I'd have to think about using the hand brake.
:cornut: Welcome to MA and congratulations on the new MINI. All I can say is that I always set the hand/emergency brake. Just habit. Jason
Really? You park on a 15* slope without setting the handbrake and you're surpised your car moved? Which gear did you put it in, or is it an automatic?
I always use the e-brake on all my vehicles and on stick, always in reverse as it is the strongest gear.
First gear. And yes, I certainly was surprised, considering no other car I've ever driven would have rolled out of a barely sloping driveway like that. Including, in that exact driveway, my old Mustang and my gf's Camry.
Since you have a stick and not an auto-tragic you should always use your parking brake. It's a lot cheaper than clutch parts and it is called a "Parking brake" for a reason. The problem was not with the car.
SicSemper. Congratulations from another Roadster owner to a new Roadster owner! I am not aware that parking in gear is a MINI problem, but I have to agree that setting the parking brake on any vehicle when parked on an incline is good insurance; as is setiing the wheels toward the curb when on an inclined street. To each his own, however, and I understand your disappointment. By the way, a 15 degree slope is really not a slight incline. Hope your enjoyment with the Roadster outweighs your parking experience. And yes, it would be interesting to know what your dealer has to say.
Great habit to get into, leave it in 1st or reverse & pull the hand brake up. While it seems odd that your car moved I think I understand it. Compression leaks down & the car rolls a bit. Builds more compression stops & stays for a bit, leaks down again. Rinse & repeat until it is at the bottom of the hill. Hope that makes a bit of sense. Welcome to M/A & enjoy your new MINI.
Welcome... I agree. I always use my parking brake..... Came from driving a Jeep. Keeps the force off the transmission and on the brake.
Exactly It's a Parking brake in a stick car and a emergency brake in an auto-tragic car. Gears are for driving (forward or reverse) not parking.:mad2: This is one of those things that drives me nuts no matter what type of car or truck people drive. :incazzato::mad2:
It is a turning device on all MINI's. Hand brake turn FTW! Another reason to use the e-brake all the time. Over time it will seize up from lack of use. Pulling that brake keeps it limbered up. :wink:
Back in the day when DRIVING was actually taught to anybody who wanted a driver's license, parking on a grade was part of the program. All the above was included *plus* turning the wheel so that if either of the above were to fail, the car would roll harmlessly into the curb or at least away from traffic.
Yeah this is far from a Mini related issue as well. There are MANY cars out there that'll do just the same. With that said I believe reverse holds the best when using a gear. Granted you'd need to be backed into the driveway in the original instance.
Crazy as it sounds, it's law to set the brake here in CA. I just always thought it was a no-brainer when in doubt.... Anyhow, not here to bash and certainly happy to know your new baby is safe after its unattended motoring adventure. :beer
Heck! I had always assumed it was illegal to use the handbrake anywhere in the US, judging by observed drivers' behaviour......:wink:
On another note, I have come outside to find a few of my cars sitting half in the street....parking brake on and everything. Just can't forget to shovel the driveway!