Wheel jack -metal things

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:07 pm

Hi- had a look at my wheel jack today. Can any one tell what the two metal hinged things are for.??? (in the bag with jack handle) I’m guessing something to do with changing a wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!! My wife thinks its time to invest in a manual!!!

Thanks / Diolch

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:11 pm

Wheel chocks I think

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:11 pm

They're wheel chocks, to stop the car rolling away whilst it's jacked up.

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:10 am

Hi
They are particularly useful in winter to wedge the wheels when parking. Put the vehicle in park, wedge the wheels, and take the handbrake off in sub- zero temperatures...it is possible for the handbrake cables to freeze....don't forget to leave a reminder in the car, or you may try to drive over them.
Cheers
Helen

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:37 pm

Many thanks

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:29 pm

Put the vehicle in park, wedge the wheels, and take the handbrake off

I've always assumed, as the transmission is locked when it's in 'Park', it shouldn't be necessary to wedge the wheels when the brake is off. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:00 pm

i think for the sake of a bit of metal
i`d rather have the chocks there than a whole lot of bongo drop down on me head

plus the front wheels are still freewheeling if you are changing the rear wheels

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:25 pm

i think for the sake of a bit of metal
i`d rather have the chocks there than a whole lot of bongo drop down on me head....plus the front wheels are still freewheeling if you are changing the rear wheels

Yes I understand the point when changing a wheel and I would certainly use them in that situation but I was querying helen&tony's.....

They are particularly useful in winter to wedge the wheels when parking.

My point was that the transmission, and therefore the wheels, are locked when the gear lever is in the 'Park' position. So it shouldn't be necessary to use the chocks when parked, even if the handbrake is off. Am I correct in my assumption?

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:28 pm

bongolow wrote:
i think for the sake of a bit of metal
i`d rather have the chocks there than a whole lot of bongo drop down on me head....plus the front wheels are still freewheeling if you are changing the rear wheels
Yes I understand the point when changing a wheel and I would certainly use them in that situation but I was querying helen&tony's.....
They are particularly useful in winter to wedge the wheels when parking.
My point was that the transmission, and therefore the wheels, are locked when the gear lever is in the 'Park' position. So it shouldn't be necessary to use the chocks when parked, even if the handbrake is off. Am I correct in my assumption?

Yes, you are correct, but it won't stop the wheels sliding in icy conditions - it gets very cold in Bulgaria.

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:42 pm

Yes, you are correct, but it won't stop the wheels sliding in icy conditions - it gets very cold in Bulgaria.

Well, I have no plans to go to Bulgaria (yet) - but I'll be in Caithness over Christmas and it can get fairly chilly up there....

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:25 pm

Hi
It's not just Bulgaria...I've had handbrakes cables freeze in relatively low temperaures in England, and if your handbrake freezes, you're b******d
Cheers
Helen

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:45 pm

And not just cold temperatures - my mate left his car parked up for two weeks at the airport while he was on holiday and the brakes rusted on!

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:45 pm

Yes you are quite right, one of the advantages of an auto is that you can leave it in park with the handbrake off. I only use the handbrake on steep hills to prevent putting a load on the gearbox lock, otherwise it's fine.