With all previous automatics, I always used the handbrake (foot-operated on the last one) as well as engaging "Park" on the transmission - even earlier, just the handbrake on manuals - but the electric parking brake is automatic on my present car.

To answer the question, I always have the handbrake set - and wouldn't use the gears as well on a manual unless parked on a hill - but then I'd also turn steering towards the kerb as even more protection.

It's partly an age/when you learned to drive thing.

About he only thing about driving I'm conscious of learning from my Father was to always park in gear. He'd learned the lesson at a practical level having seen his Father's car start to run away shortly after being restored from being laid up for the duration of WW2. The reflex to put lever into first when securing the vehicle after parking is one I'd find very difficult to break. Having owned a Xantia at the time they acquired a slight reputation for running away. The handbrake working on the front discs was probably more susceptible to thermal effects than a rear drum set up.

My kids, learning 2010 onwards, were encouraged to leave in neutral. Modern teaching apparently emphasises risk of trying to start in gear and damaging car or causing injury to pedestrians.

Not an easy one to answer

I used to always leave in gear (an point wheels to steer into kerb) especially with disc handbrake mechanisms as when the disc cools it shrinks and if handbrake not applied firmly may loose enough friction to cause the car to run away (drum brakes are the opposite and actually increase the handbrake forse as they cool)

However it's not as simple now:-

1)You shouldn't leave a DMF permanantely in tension - after applying hand brake in gear as you release the footbrake the car will roll slightly potentially putting DMF springs/cogs into tension (The DMF usually has a number of different strength springs to ensure smooth takeup)

2) If you have an oil pressurised cam chain tensioner you should always leave in the gear on a hill that would turn the engine in the normal direction of opertaion - if you force backwards especially where cam shafts drive other gubbins (high pressure fuel pumps etc) the tensioner side of the chain carries the force required to turn the camshafts which can push the tensioner (especially if worn) back leaving the chain slack ready for the next engine start-up. Some manufacturers eg Chrysler - stipulate not to turn engines backwards in their service manuals

I myself do leave in gear but in 1st for pointing down a hill or reverse for pointing up a hill. However once I've stopped I now don't release my clucth until I've turned the engine off, put in gear , applied the handbrake firmly and released the footbrake

Edited by Big John on 19/03/2016 at 19:53

Section 107 of the Construction and Use regs requires the parking brake to be set. It is a good idea to leave in gear in case the brake releases.

"....once I've stopped I now don't release my clutch until I've turned the engine off, put in gear , applied the handbrake firmly and released the footbrake." (Big John, above)

I agree - it's worth getting into that habit if you don't already. It should avoid undue strain on the DMF and other moving parts.