Hill parking question?

[Stvn66]

Hi,

We live on a relatively steep hill so we always leave the wheel turned to the kerb and the gear in 1st or 2nd with of course with the handbrake on.

With my newly acquired manual A3 I parked facing up the hill and noticed it bunny hops backwards. I always thought that when 1st or 2nd gear is engaged they lock the car so if the handbrake failed you were safe.

A a test I put the car in 1st gear and released the handbrake and it rolled back again in bunny hops.

Is this normal?

Thank you

[Steve Q]

I think it will role back slightly but not sure about the bunny hoping 

[cliffcoggin]

To be sure I understand the question, are you saying that:

- ignition is off,

- first gear is engaged,

- handbrake is off,

- car rolls downhill in jerks.

Is that correct? If so, that is exactly what I would expect. The jerkiness is caused when each piston arrives at TDC (top dead centre) where compression is at a maximum, hence resistance to motion is at a maximum.

If I have misunderstood please give more detail.

[Stvn66]

Brilliant, thank you Clifford for putting my at rest.

My old car would lock up and I thought all manual cars were the same?

[Stvn66]

....putting my mind at rest.

[cliffcoggin]

3 hours ago, Stvn66 said:

My old car would lock up and I thought all manual cars were the same?

It depends how steep the hill is.