Parked on an incline. Had trouble getting out of "park." Am I liable to get stuck in park one day?

[Dennis S]

2002 Buick Park Avenue. I parked with the front end higher than the rear in a driveway. When I tried to put the car into reverse, I couldn't get out of park for about a minute of struggling with the gear shift arm. Is this liable to be a common thing while parking on inclines?

[JoeH]

You may get to that point. I assume you did not use the parking brake? That is what keeps the pressure off the parking pawl in your transmission, Park is not a full substitute.

[norse]

When parking on an incline, keep your foot firmly on the brake and pull the parking brake tight.

[Dennis S]

I never use the parking brake because I almost never park on a hill. Do I use it before I shift into Park or after?

[mikebw]

norse wrote:
When parking on an incline, keep your foot firmly on the brake and pull the parking brake tight.

and then release your foot from the brake pedal, and shift into park last.

[cbelt3]

This can happen. Transmission parking pawl. The use of the parking brake, as noted, is advised. I've seen situations where the car had to be pushed to get the parking pawl to release.

[wave rider]

Yes, set parking brake first, then shift to park.

[GuyGene]

I ALWAYS use parking brake. It keeps pressure off that thingamajig that caused yours to bind up. Plus it keeps cable freely moving the more you use it.

[OWC Jamie]

just leave it neutral
problem solved


and whatever you do, don't use the parking brake. You'll only stretch the cable and eventually it won't work. SHould you have to park on a hill what will you do then with a stretched cable , huh ?



a liberal amount of sarcasm may or may not be infused within the above post

[rz]

I always use my parking brake, even when not parked on an incline. Just habit, i guess.