I was taught that on flat ground you use the e-brake only and leave the transmission in neutral. The theory is that if you get bumped with the car in gear it can damage the gear.

 

Wouldn't that be even more likely while parked on a hill, though? (People rolling and not in control of their car bump you while you're parked in gear)

 

gear 2 in a mini is still really low. we figured it will move the trainy parts less if a small amount of pressure was applied, vs lowest gear which has a lot of leverage over the car parts to move.

if reverse is a good gear, 2nd is then as well. 1st gear is much lower than reverse is ratio wise!

 

I'm sure second will hold the car, but, first will hold it better. If you're worried about what might happen if someone bumps the car, then leave it in neutral like some say they do. Me, I'd rather have double insurance against inadvertant rolling than to depend solely on the e-brake.

 

I was taught the same thing as xbook at a high performance driving school. The instructor said that the ebrake can lock/stick when the car is hot -- as it likely is after running at the track; so just use 1st gear as a brake.

I'm guessing with normal driving the ebrake is fine, but if you've been driving the car hard (or maybe even at high speeds on the freeway), 1st might be better.

That said, I've had the car for two years, and always used the ebrake without problems...

 

When parking on a hill I always put the car in first gear, turn the tires and use the emergency brake. I've been driving a manual transmission since I was 16. I guess that was a lesson learned early on and it's habit now. It's worked, after 30 years of driving never had a car roll down a hill!

 

I pray.

No, really, I have not really parked my MINI on a hill yet, but I was in San Fran and I had to parallel part on a hill. I was uphill, I turned the wheels all the way to the left and pulled the ebrake. Just remember, Up Up and away. I am glad I did not have a stick while I was there!!! I was hard enough driving the auto... all the cable cars freaked me out too, they follow you up the hills.