I don't think they teach them anything about sticks in drivers ed. It's been more than 12 or 13 years since I took drivers ed and, even then, manual transmission cars were nothing more than a blurb in one of the text books.

 

A couple of other thoughts on this topic that might be considered, as they somewhat pertain to the use of an E-brake in general.

Owners of auto trans cars should have extra reason to consider using their E-brakes if they use remote car starters. It's bad enough to trust the mechanical parking pawl alone to prevent a car from slipping into gear...but to do so for a vehicle that would have an engine running is even worse. This might be considered especially true on Ford products...as I recall them having an safety issue with some cars slipping into gear a few years back.

As for manual owners....further testament to the fact that leaving the car in gear is considered the preferred method for parking (even with parking brake applied), might be part of the reason that remote car starters are generally not recommended with manuals. Too much chance of owners forgetting the car might be in gear? And since it's never a sure thing that an applied (or possibly only partially applied) E-brake will hold back the weight of a vehicle in neutral on an incline, leaving it in gear only makes sense.

Lastly, I look at it this way....you paid for and bought the car WITH the brake. What's the point of not using it????? As for remote car starters....well, I'm just not a fan of running unattended vehicles, period.

 

Haveing many standards over the years I can tell you that if your going to put it in gear after you parked leave it in 1st not reverse .My s-10 i used to leave in reverse and this caused the failure of the reverse switch .It has a check ball and spring inside it with the electrical contacts and after it sitting in reverse all the time the spring in the switch lost its tention and had the whole unit had to be replaced .
I don't know how the Mustangs is constructed but I'm sure it's the same idea ..so just to save you some parts replacement in the future I think leaving it in 1st is better.

 

Since I've never had the problem, I won't debate the validity of your reasoning. It might very well be something to keep in mind. Myself, I seldom use reverse when parking anyway, figuring being in first and having the brake applied should be good enough. The debate about using reverse when parking downhill and first when parking uphill is something that has been around for a long long time. I even recall hearing years ago, that reverse was better than first in all situations...the reason being (supposedly) that the engine compression would hold best in that regard, because it would be against the rotation normally encountered when the engine cranks. So, who knows for sure.

Regardless....the brake in question has been known as either the "parking brake" or the "emergency brake" since it's inception. My main point (initally) is that it should always be used as a parking brake, but can be used as an emergency brake without causing the car to spin out of control if done properly.
Now, if I could only remember how Fred Flintsone used to stop and park his car....

 

I don't think they teach them anything about sticks in drivers ed. It's been more than 12 or 13 years since I took drivers ed and, even then, manual transmission cars were nothing more than a blurb in one of the text books.
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Considering all the knucklehead drivers I've had to deal with at work, I don't think they even teach them to drive anymore! They learn how to turn the stereo all the way up, lay the seat all the way back, put it in gear and press the gas. Oh, and don't pay any attention to anyone or anything. Sorry, rant over.

 

If your parked car is ever hit the e-brake will protect your tranny from strain or possible gear sheer. How many times have you seen people just tap another car
while their backing out. Auto or manual I always use the e-brake.

 

I hate to keep showing my age! The reason I was taught to leave a manual transmission in reverse is because in the old days we had what was called "3 on the tree!" What that was -was a 3 speed stick shift on the steering column. If you left it in 1st gear there was a chance that you would knock the gear shift lever out of gear with your knee as you were getting in or out of the car. Reverse was up- first was down!

 

This is a link to my fob... still cant find the actual name of my system... but, at least I found the fob! LOL
Pager Fob

 

Gotta say that the only time I use the e brake is on a steep incline. I always leave the car in first gear or reverse depending on the amount of incline. Using the e brake is a great safety item, but if you drive the car hard then hop out and use the e brake you will probably warp your rotors. The best thing to do is never leave the car out of gear if you are parking it.

 

Granted I have an auto but I always set my e-brake when I get out regardless of grade.

 

One nice thing about the 05 Mustang parking brake is that it's hard not to notice that it's on... it's sticking up right in your way as you go to shift.