Bongo Fury

Alacrity wrote:In my book leaving any automatic vehicle unattended in gear is to be avoided & the advantages gained are questionable. Dandywarhol has explained perfectly the difference between P,N & D. Personally I tend to put my automatics (especially my diesel Bongo as it idles smoother) into N when standing for some time & stick the handbrake on as this avoids irritating other motorists behind with brake lights permamently on - worse at night of course.

I agree (it is not me who wishes to promote what I practice in private on my drive on occasional cold days!). Just to clarify (and I'm sure you do), the car should be left in 'P' though and not 'N' except when actually driving, as it is too easy for it to be knocked into 'R' or 'D' from 'N'.

Incidentally, on the issue of private practices, the mantra "to be avoided & the advantages gained are questionable" applies to so many things we do because it interests us. If we don't explore, we don't discover. It is that urge that drives me to constantly try out things against the conventional wisdom. Occasionally, I make a worthwhile discovery.

If we don't explore, we don't discover.


Mike. You sound like a real life Buz Lightyear....To infinity and beyond...

The Great Pretender wrote:

kawasaki kid wrote:My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very good at making yellow snow.

Didnt King Charles make blue snow.............?

With full acknowledgement to the references to yellow snow, there was me thinking that King Charles shed blue blood on the snow when he was executed. But no, we were still on the toilet humour.

Incidentally, I had a friend once whose cat was called Pits. Because his eyes were yellow!!

Just to clarify (and I'm sure you do), the car should be left in 'P' though and not 'N' except when actually driving, as it is too easy for it to be knocked into 'R' or 'D' from 'N'.

Agreed again - but I also agree with the other contributor to this thread about the difference in impact if hit from behind being in N versus P. As an aside it also keeps the handbrake & linkages free & working - as a rule I never use the handbrake (other than as described before) when driving autos (which I do all day), which is not a practice to recommended but a correctly working auto isn't going anywhere when in park & I suppose its a case of 'familiarity breeds contempt'.

dunslair wrote:If we don't explore, we don't discover.


Mike. You sound like a real life Buz Lightyear....To infinity and beyond...

...but it is what drives me I fear, and in my old age I'm learning not to apologise for being like that. Being able to produce the letter from Sir Clive Sinclair c1984 where I made suggestions about electric cars, helps to remind me that the present eventually catches up with the future

On the 'P' vs. 'D' issue Alactrity, the thing I wanted readers to be clear about is that you are not suggesting the vehicle be left unattended in 'N'. That would arguably be riskier that leaving it in 'D' with a wheel chock in place IMHO. When driving, if stopped for a long period, you put it in 'N' for the reasons you observe. Thats how I see it anyway

Ah yes I see, no never leave it in N with the engine running unattended - asking for trouble that one!

Alacrity wrote:
Agreed again - but I also agree with the other contributor to this thread about the difference in impact if hit from behind being in N versus P.

Not sure of the logic of the other contributer.

With regard to using "P" at lights etc. I would never do it as it turns the vehicle into an immovable object if hit up the rear. Much more damage, much more whiplash.

More damage? Well maybe the gearbox may get damaged, but there is less chance of getting shunted into the car (or pedestrian) in front. And you can't get whiplash in an immovable object.

...but it is what drives me I fear, and in my old age I'm learning not to apologise for being like that.

No need for embarasement or apology for being inquisative.....I have always liked the 'can do' nature of Buz Lightyear's character. I will of course think of Buz Lightyear every time I see your avatar now

dunslair wrote:...but it is what drives me I fear, and in my old age I'm learning not to apologise for being like that.

No need for embarasement or apology for being inquisative.....I have always liked the 'can do' nature of Buz Lightyear's character. I will of course think of Buz Lightyear every time I see your avatar now

Alacrity wrote:Personally I tend to put my automatics ... into N when standing for some time & stick the handbrake on as this avoids irritating other motorists behind with brake lights permamently on - worse at night of course.

So do I.

Alacrity wrote:

Just to clarify (and I'm sure you do), the car should be left in 'P' though and not 'N' except when actually driving, as it is too easy for it to be knocked into 'R' or 'D' from 'N'.

Agreed again - but I also agree with the other contributor to this thread about the difference in impact if hit from behind being in N versus P. As an aside it also keeps the handbrake & linkages free & working - as a rule I never use the handbrake (other than as described before) when driving autos (which I do all day), which is not a practice to recommended but a correctly working auto isn't going anywhere when in park & I suppose its a case of 'familiarity breeds contempt'.

Ive seen the effects of being hit from behind in an automatic vehicle and the parking pawl broke in the gearbox No big deal you might think but the car was just this side of borderline to a write off with the rear damage, got repaired, then turned out the 'box was broken - this then made it a write off and a lot of legal wrangling ensued between the owner and the insurance valuator.............

dandywarhol wrote:

Alacrity wrote:

Just to clarify (and I'm sure you do), the car should be left in 'P' though and not 'N' except when actually driving, as it is too easy for it to be knocked into 'R' or 'D' from 'N'.

Agreed again - but I also agree with the other contributor to this thread about the difference in impact if hit from behind being in N versus P. As an aside it also keeps the handbrake & linkages free & working - as a rule I never use the handbrake (other than as described before) when driving autos (which I do all day), which is not a practice to recommended but a correctly working auto isn't going anywhere when in park & I suppose its a case of 'familiarity breeds contempt'.

Ive seen the effects of being hit from behind in an automatic vehicle and the parking pawl broke in the gearbox No big deal you might think but the car was just this side of borderline to a write off with the rear damage, got repaired, then turned out the 'box was broken - this then made it a write off and a lot of legal wrangling ensued between the owner and the insurance valuator.............

If he says it, I do it

'P' is for parking
'N' is for 'Never mind about being shunted into the next car, it might not happen'

Alacrity wrote:In my book leaving any automatic vehicle unattended in gear is to be avoided & the advantages gained are questionable. Dandywarhol has explained perfectly the difference between P,N & D. Personally I tend to put my automatics (especially my diesel Bongo as it idles smoother) into N when standing for some time & stick the handbrake on as this avoids irritating other motorists behind with brake lights permamently on - worse at night of course.

P for me in the drive when clearing screens (if not already done through internal heating of Bongothen it is start idle for 2 mins while everyone belts up..... .........and off) ....... N if a long time at traffic lights......as above, there are enough tw*ts with manual gearboxes holding their cars on the footbrake as it is, 'cos they are too damn idle to lift a lever....