Florida Class E Drivers License Practice Test

If you have a manual transmission, what gear should you put the car in when parking downhill?

1. First gear.

2. Reverse.

3. Park.

4. Neutral.

The correct answer is: Reverse.

When parking a vehicle with a manual transmission on a downhill slope, the correct choice is to place the car in reverse. This action is crucial because if the vehicle were to roll, it would roll back against the resistance of the engine, which is in reverse gear, helping to prevent it from moving. Using the reverse gear also engages the drivetrain more effectively compared to other gears, providing additional friction and reducing the likelihood of the car rolling away. This practice, combined with setting the parking brake, enhances the safety of the parked vehicle on an incline. Other options, such as placing the vehicle in first gear or neutral, do not provide the same level of safety in preventing rollaway incidents when parked downhill. First gear is typically used when parking on an uphill grade, whereas neutral would allow the vehicle to roll freely, increasing the risk of it moving uncontrollably. Park is primarily associated with automatic transmissions and does not apply directly to manual vehicles.