Park on full lock?

reeac

bigjl wrote: »

This is also required if you have a DMF equipped vehicle.

As mentioned by somebody else some cars actually won't start without the clutch depressed.

I did read an article were LuK actually explained why this was needed, but I can't remember specifics as it was years ago.

I own a compact tractor and that has a cut out switch which requires depression of the clutch pedal in order to permit starting. I understand that this is very common on tractors..maybe because they often have PTO for other machinery which would increase drag if in gear. There's also the hazard for the driver if the tractor jerks forward when the engine starts. I believe that this switch often fails as it's located down low by the clutch pedal where the mud collects and many old tractors get their switches bypassed by farmers

Moto2

Car and motorbikes that have headlights on all the time run on a circuit that cuts out when the starter is engaged rather than a permanent live feed.

prowla

I tend to park with the wheels pointing inwards if I'm on a slope.

Otherwise I normally straighten them, more so I know where they are pointing when I pull out.

almillar

The advise used to be turning the lights on first to get the power running through the circuits on a cold morning.

This can't surely have been official advice. Electricity doesn't work like this! Ignition on to get the fuel pump running etc, but lights are only ever a drain.

Car and motorbikes that have headlights on all the time run on a circuit that cuts out when the starter is engaged rather than a permanent live feed.

Maybe some do (and on some you do see them dim - that just shows the strain on the battery as it turns the engine over) but you've still turned the lights on, asking the battery to power them without the alternator, before doing its real job, which is to start the car/bike.

datostar

My car handbook specifically cautions against parking on full lock and states that damage could occur when starting and moving off if left in that position. In practice, it's easy to slightly back off from full lock just before stopping if you want the wheels pointing somewhere. The car has electric power steering and if I don't know if this advice only relates to that.

Richard53

Slightly OT, but my wife's C-Max has a 'feature' where when you unlock the car with the remote, all the parking lights and dash lights come on. The parking lights stay on until the engine is started (I think) and the dash lights stay on all the time. Is there a functional reason for this? I can't say I can think of one, and I don't know of any other car that has done this.

Ectophile

Richard53 wrote: »

Slightly OT, but my wife's C-Max has a 'feature' where when you unlock the car with the remote, all the parking lights and dash lights come on. The parking lights stay on until the engine is started (I think) and the dash lights stay on all the time. Is there a functional reason for this? I can't say I can think of one, and I don't know of any other car that has done this.

I'm guessing that it's much the same reason that many cars turn the lights on for a little while after you've locked the car - so you're not stumbling around in the dark trying to see where you're going.

Richard53

Ectophile wrote: »

I'm guessing that it's much the same reason that many cars turn the lights on for a little while after you've locked the car - so you're not stumbling around in the dark trying to see where you're going.

I've had cars (10+ years ago) that did this - depending on the order in which you turned things off, it would leave the headlights on for 30 sec or so if you wanted them to light the way to your front door. But this does it day or night, and it's only the parking lights, so not much use for lighting up your driveway in the dark. It seems to have become a feature in the last 2-3 years, as her last Focus didn't have it. Just wondering.