Can I lock my car but leave it in neutral?

[Mikeylink]

Hi guys,

I've recently bought a 2025 A35h. I work away and wondered if it's possible to leave the car in neutral and lock it?? I have tried but not succeeded!

It's just to stop the brakes binding on as I've had issues with this happening on previous cars.

I could get my partner to move it up and down the drive once a week but thought I'd ask the question.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Cheers Mike.

 

[colinallcars]

Hi guys,

I've recently bought a 2025 A35h. I work away and wondered if it's possible to leave the car in neutral and lock it?? I have tried but not succeeded!

It's just to stop the brakes binding on as I've had issues with this happening on previous cars.

I could get my partner to move it up and down the drive once a week but thought I'd ask the question.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Cheers Mike.

Park does not apply the brakes, it’s a mechanical lock within the gearbox. Best to leave it in ‘P’ with the parking brake off.

 

[markjay]

Most modern cars will not allow you to leave the vehicle in anything other than 'P'.

Depending on the model, there may be an alarm, or a warning on the dash, or you may not be able to turn off the ignition, or you may not be able to lock it - etc.

As collinallcars said, the 'P' only engages a small locking peg inside the transmission, it does not apply the parking brakes. For this is reason, it is not recommended to leave the par parked in the street with the parking brake not applied, because a small shunt in the front or rear could cause the peg to sheer off, which will be an expensive repair.

Having said that, most modern cars will have electronic parking brake that is applied automatically when you leave the car.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Dunno about MB's, but my BMW will drop the transmission into park if you open the driver's door.

 

[Bellow]

Dunno about MB's, but my BMW will drop the transmission into park if you open the driver's door.

Reversing too?

 

[whitenemesis]

Having said that, most modern cars will have electronic parking brake that is applied automatically when you leave the car.

Which can normally be disabled, to avoid freezing on in winter?

 

[st13phil]

Reversing too?

Current MB's with the electronic drive selector do.

 

[Bellow]

Current MB's with the electronic drive selector do.

That's crazy - for me at least. I'd not get off my driveway as I need the door open reversing around a low wall.

 

[Mikeylink]

Most modern cars will not allow you to leave the vehicle in anything other than 'P'.

Depending on the model, there may be an alarm, or a warning on the dash, or you may not be able to turn off the ignition, or you may not be able to lock it - etc.

As collinallcars said, the 'P' only engages a small locking peg inside the transmission, it does not apply the parking brakes. For this is reason, it is not recommended to leave the par parked in the street with the parking brake not applied, because a small shunt in the front or rear could cause the peg to sheer off, which will be an expensive repair.

Having said that, most modern cars will have electronic parking brake that is applied automatically when you leave the car.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I do just leave it in P without applying separate the electronic parking brake but I do believe it comes automatically when you lock the car as you can hear it.

It's parked on a flat private driveway so no chance of it rolling anywhere. I was pretty sure you couldn't do it due to European safety regs but thought I'd ask.

Cheers Mike.

 

[whitenemesis]

I do just leave it in P without applying separate the electronic parking brake but I do believe it comes automatically when you lock the car as you can hear it.

Check you owner's handbook, I'd be surprised if one couldn't disable the automatic function, especially in a european winter, to prevent it freezing on. I can do so in my Lexus, explicitly advises it in the book

 

[markjay]

Check you owner's handbook, I'd be surprised if one couldn't disable the automatic function, especially in a european winter, to prevent it freezing on. I can do so in my Lexus, explicitly advises it in the book

There's no need to disable the automatic function, you should be able to disengage the parking brake after it has been automatically applied by pressing down on the button/lever.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

That's crazy - for me at least. I'd not get off my driveway as I need the door open reversing around a low wall.

If in D or R and you open the door, as said, it drops into P. But with the door still open you can then reselect D or R and continue. Although the dash goes crazy and lots of ‘pinging’.

 

[whitenemesis]

I do believe it comes automatically when you lock the car as you can hear it.

There's no need to disable the automatic function, you should be able to disengage the parking brake after it has been automatically applied by pressing down on the button/lever.

Bit difficult when you have got out and locked it?

The handbook will advise...

 

[SpikyMikey]

Reversing too?

TBH I've never tried.
Watch this space...

 

[Bellow]

TBH I've never tried.
What this space...

Try:

If in D or R and you open the door, as said, it drops into P. But with the door still open you can then reselect D or R and continue. Although the dash goes crazy and lots of ‘pinging’.

 

[SpikyMikey]

TBH I've never tried.
Watch this space...

Yep, does it in reverse.

 

[Bellow]

Yep, does it in reverse.

Did you try Ant's method?

 

[SpikyMikey]

Did you try Ant's method?

I didn't. I'm a bit closer to a brick wall than I'm comfortable with!
To be explored further when I take the car out tomorrow.

 

[Pontoneer]

Bit difficult when you have got out and locked it?

The handbook will advise...

Reach in through the open window to release the parking brake then use comfort locking to close the window .

 

[Mikeylink]

Reach in through the open window to release the parking brake then use comfort locking to close the window .

Might just give that a try