Car Rolls When Put in Park

[sally096]

When I put my car in park it rolls 6-12 inches. It can roll forward, or it can roll backwards, and it even rolls on flat ground. when it finally comes to a stopped position it makes a clicking sound at the transmission. I brought it to the dealer and they said that it is normal. Does anyone else have a similar problem? This seems too wrong to be normal. I just hope I don't roll into another car in a parking lot.

[bbf2530]

When I put my car in park it rolls 6-12 inches. It can roll forward, or it can roll backwards, and it even rolls on flat ground. when it finally comes to a stopped position it makes a clicking sound at the transmission. I brought it to the dealer and they said that it is normal. Does anyone else have a similar problem? This seems too wrong to be normal. I just hope I don't roll into another car in a parking lot.

 

Hi sally. :D Others have mentioned this concern in the past, and essentially, in most cases it is "normal".

 

However, there are several things to mention concerning this: First, while it is hard to determine over the Internet if what you are experiencing is "normal", a certain amount of roll-out can be considered normal when the car is parked and the parking brake is not used. The amount of "roll" will depend on where the parking pawl happens to locate on each particular park/stop.

Second, while again it is hard to say without seeing it first hand, in most cases, the actual amount of roll is usually less than the driver perceives it to be.

Third (and most importantly), this is why the car has a parking brake. It should always be used, especially when parking on any type of incline which may cause the vehicle to roll.

 

If you still feel that your car is "rolling" more than it should, take it back to the Dealer or try another Dealers Service Department.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited April 20, 2011 by bbf2530

[igcitng]

Hi BBF-out of curiosity does AWD, FWD and rear wheel drive all 'roll' about the same or one more than another? I remember when I drove sportscars way back not to park anywhere close to a curb or parking block because the car would always roll when parked. Most people that have owned an old Camaro or Firebird/TA learned that the hard way.

[bbf2530]

Hi BBF-out of curiosity does AWD, FWD and rear wheel drive all 'roll' about the same or one more than another? I remember when I drove sportscars way back not to park anywhere close to a curb or parking block because the car would always roll when parked. Most people that have owned an old Camaro or Firebird/TA learned that the hard way.

 

Hi igcitng. :D It has more to do with the design of the transmission and the parking pawl of the particular transmission in the vehicle than whether the vehicle is FWD, AWD, RWD etc..

 

In other words, all Edge's will roll about the same amount, whether FWD or AWD. All Fusion's will roll about the same amount, FWD or AWD. All Mustang's (RWD) will roll about the same amount. Same for any particular GM, Chrysler, BMW, Audi vehicle etc.. But they all may roll a different amount from each other, since they have different transmissions.

 

Think of it as the ratchet wrenches in various socket sets. Some have more teeth located closer together, so they don't need to be rotated as far to catch when turning (you will hear more "clicks" per inch of travel). Others have less teeth spaced further apart, so the wrench must be rotated further to catch a tooth when rotated (you will hear less "clicks" per inch of travel). Same general principle when thinking of the parking pawl in a transmission.

 

Hope this is not too confusing.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[sally096]

Thanks for the reply bbf.

I really never park on an incline. It rolls on flat surfaces all the time.

I have not used the parking break, but will try in the future annd see what happens.

This vehicle has been a huge disappointment - nothing but problems.

Had to bring it in because the gas cover wouldn't seal, the heat doesn't work, the screen goes black, the backup camera doesn't always work and the clock keeps showing the wrong time. Also - it has a lot of wind noice when driving. I have less than 2,000 miles on it. It is my first Ford, but it looks like it may be my last.

[igcitng]

Hi igcitng. :D It has more to do with the design of the transmission and the parking pawl of the particular transmission in the vehicle than whether the vehicle is FWD, AWD, RWD etc..

 

In other words, all Edge's will roll about the same amount, whether FWD or AWD. All Fusion's will roll about the same amount, FWD or AWD. All Mustang's (RWD) will roll about the same amount. Same for any particular GM, Chrysler, BMW, Audi vehicle etc.. But they all may roll a different amount from each other, since they have different transmissions.

 

Think of it as the ratchet wrenches in various socket sets. Some have more teeth located closer together, so they don't need to be rotated as far to catch when turning (you will hear more "clicks" per inch of travel). Others have less teeth spaced further apart, so the wrench must be rotated further to catch a tooth when rotated (you will hear less "clicks" per inch of travel). Same general principle when thinking of the parking pawl in a transmission.

 

Hope this is not too confusing.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

 

Nope-makes total sense. Thanks for indulging me.

[akirby]

I have not used the parking break, but will try in the future annd see what happens.

 

First - it's brake, not break. And that's why they put it on the vehicle - to keep the vehicle from rolling when it's parked. That's also why it's called a parking brake. The difference is the Edge transmission is simply designed that way. I use the parking brake every time I park. It's a habit and you don't even think about it.

[carbonedge+]

Thanks for the reply bbf.

I really never park on an incline. It rolls on flat surfaces all the time.

Never? If it rolls, it's not on a truly level surface. Is Massachusetts really that flat??? Oh, wait, you're not from Bawston too are you???

Edited April 22, 2011 by carbonedge+

[JOEHIO]

Just my 2 cents on this. Have you contacted a dealer on this problem? If not, give them a call,it's possible that there is a problem with your car.

A friend has a local Tranmission repair shop, and he said that people should use the parking brake, they are put in cars for a spefic reason. I always use the parking brake, and have gotten my wife to use it in her MKS, too.

Keep us updated on this, and don't be too hard on Fords, "Henry" did well with the model "T".

Edited April 22, 2011 by JOEHIO

[cal3thousand]

Just my 2 cents on this. Have you contacted a dealer on this problem? If not, give them a call,it's possible that there is a problem with your car.

A friend has a local Tranmission repair shop, and he said that people should use the parking brake, they are put in cars for a spefic reason. I always use the parking brake, and have gotten my wife to use it in her MKS, too.

Keep us updated on this, and don't be too hard on Fords, "Henry" did well with the model "T".

 

I used to ALWAYS use my parking brake with my Volvo since it was just right hand pull handle. It was just a good habit and became part of my parking motion.

 

With the Edge's pedal parking brake, I forget / get lazy / am not used to it / etc. I'm going to remember make it more of a point to use it and get into the habit with my left foot.

 

EDIT: to the OP... all cars roll, Edge has bigger wheels than many cars, so the travel distance is larger for the same angle of rotation.

Edited April 22, 2011 by cal3thousand

[sally096]

First - it's brake, not break. And that's why they put it on the vehicle - to keep the vehicle from rolling when it's parked. That's also why it's called a parking brake. The difference is the Edge transmission is simply designed that way. I use the parking brake every time I park. It's a habit and you don't even think about it.

 

 

Sorry that was just a typo. Didn't mean to offend you.

[akirby]

Sorry that was just a typo. Didn't mean to offend you.

 

Sorry about that - I was having a bad day and break vs. brake is a long time pet peeve. Ford makes the parking brake specifically to keep the car from rolling when it's parked so not using it and then complaining about it tends to bring out the sarcasm. Sorry if that was a little harsh.

[choff1138]

Sorry about that - I was having a bad day and break vs. brake is a long time pet peeve. Ford makes the parking brake specifically to keep the car from rolling when it's parked so not using it and then complaining about it tends to bring out the sarcasm. Sorry if that was a little harsh.

 

 

It is interesting how the placement of the parking brake being a foot break and really broken my habit of setting it when getting out. I was always good about it with my escort, but the only time I remember now is if I am parked on an incline. And of course - the first time I set it, when I went to release it, I popped the hood instead. Couldn't get the hood fully released or closed all the way. Felt like the female driver that causes the stereo types. Got home and spent time figuring out exactly how to pop it completely and get it closed. GADS!

[sally096]

Sorry about that - I was having a bad day and break vs. brake is a long time pet peeve. Ford makes the parking brake specifically to keep the car from rolling when it's parked so not using it and then complaining about it tends to bring out the sarcasm. Sorry if that was a little harsh.

 

 

I appreciate your apology, but I don't believe I was complaining. I was asking if anyone else experienced the same thing that I experienced. I thought the idea of this forum was to communicate with each other and to ask questions. Apparently I am wrong because it seems as if people are just out to attack each. I think from now on I will just view other questions/concerns, but not post. Just isn’t worth it.

[cal3thousand]

I appreciate your apology, but I don't believe I was complaining. I was asking if anyone else experienced the same thing that I experienced. I thought the idea of this forum was to communicate with each other and to ask questions. Apparently I am wrong because it seems as if people are just out to attack each. I think from now on I will just view other questions/concerns, but not post. Just isn't worth it.

 

If you do decide to take it to the dealer, please post your results. As that will help others that might be having the same issue later.

[akirby]

I appreciate your apology, but I don't believe I was complaining. I was asking if anyone else experienced the same thing that I experienced. I thought the idea of this forum was to communicate with each other and to ask questions. Apparently I am wrong because it seems as if people are just out to attack each. I think from now on I will just view other questions/concerns, but not post. Just isn’t worth it.

 

That's your prerogative but I would hardly call that an attack. If you'd like to reconsider we'll try to be more sensitive.