Is this feasible to do with an automatic Ducato PVC

[royandsharont]

Just to put this question into perspective I did have a 4t Bessacarr with the fancy roof and decorative roof top sides which meant that it created a large well for standing water. When in storage I made very large timber ramps and would store it using these at the front to assist the water to fall off the rear as much as possible. I’d leave it in gear wheels chocked and handbrake off, to help the brakes not seizing on, without any problems. There was no risk of it rolling backwards into anything to damage etc.

I’m not sure whether the new to come PVC will need any incline to disperse the water, probably not, but it will be the 9 spd auto gearbox on the Ducato and I have no experience at all on what can and cannot be done.

If I wanted to do the same though, can I park it in storage etc with the electric handbrake off, wheels chocked and in N or P?

I know my car which has a manual gearbox but electric parking braked does say to leave it off when stored for long times and I have now almost mastered getting it off when stored in the in the garage when we were away

 

[Itsmcb]

Sorry no knowledge of electronic handbrake but usually you can't remove the key on an auto unless it's in park

 

[gerry mcg]

With Automatic e-handbrakes, there is usually a service mode, accessible somewhere via the on board computer interface menu system in the car that allows you to put the handbrake in a service mode that power retracts the rear pistons to allow one to replace the rear brake pads (there is on my 2016 Mercedes C class estate)

If this menu option is on the new Ducato and where this menu is found, I couldn’t say

 

[Clivefog]

When you find how to disable auto hand brake, make a note so you can reinstate when you need to.

 

[maison]

I can’t answer your query about parking on blocks but I lay odds that you will love the 9 speed auto box.

we certainly do.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

Beware leaving any automatic in park with the handbrake off and ANY possibility it can roll. The parking pawl that inhibits the gearbox from turning is generally just a steel pin between 4 and 6mm in diameter. They do snap and can destroy the gearbox, even if the van doesn't roll away. I have seen it on cars, but it is more likely on a loaded van (motorhome) due to the weight involved

 

[royandsharont]

TheBig1 Thanks for that information, can it be left as I suggested in gear, D like I did with the manual

 

[olley]

Never heard of a locking pawl being broken if used as intended.
The only problem I have had on the Winnebago is difficulty in getting it off, if I parked on a decent slope.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Taking into consideration that the p position is a pawl or pin as previously said it is virtually impossible to damage it if used correctly due to the ratio of the diff.
The only time you could cause damage is to select P when not stationary

 

[royandsharont]

From the last couple of comments am I assuming with an auto gearbox the handbrake is not relevant or needed as you have the pawl pin for holding the vehicle when parked, regardless of incline, decline or flat etc?

If so why have a handbrake and how do drivers normally park such vehicles?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[maison]

We use “P” + handbrake.

 

[Steve and Denise]

From the last couple of comments am I assuming with an auto gearbox the handbrake is not relevant or needed as you have the pawl pin for holding the vehicle when parked, regardless of incline, decline or flat etc?

If so why have a handbrake and how do drivers normally park such vehicles?

The thing is the pin will lock the box but then it goes through a differential that has planetary gears to allow each wheel to turn at different speeds so in reality if you jack up one side the vehicle could roll away, where as a parking brake works on both wheels independently.

 

[olley]

Handbrake on and gear lever in P.

 

[gerry mcg]

Handbrake on and gear lever in P.

I guess the OP doesn't want to leave the van with the handbrake on for an extended period of time to prevent corrosion / binding - which is what I do with my van when parked on my gently sloping driveway - in gear and (manual) handbrake off, with a chock under the front wheel

 

[peterc10]

The answer to your question will depend upon which Ducato automatic box you have ordered.

If it is the 6 speed Comfort-matic model that is not a true automatic box. Instead it is a robotised manual box and clutch which just changes gears for you when the computer senses that is needed. It does not have a "park" function and in that case you should leave it in gear when parked and not neutral, which is you only other option.

Fiat has recently introduced a "proper" 9 speed automatic, i.e. one with a torque converter. If that is the model you are getting you should leave it in "park".

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dash300]

I guess the OP doesn't want to leave the van with the handbrake on for an extended period of time to prevent corrosion / binding - which is what I do with my van when parked on my gently sloping driveway - in gear and (manual) handbrake off, with a chock under the front wheel

Another vote for the humble chock from me too!

 

[royandsharont]

I guess the OP doesn't want to leave the van with the handbrake on for an extended period of time to prevent corrosion / binding - which is what I do with my van when parked on my gently sloping driveway - in gear and (manual) handbrake off, with a chock under the front wheel

Your quite right there. Is yours an automatic gerry mcg

 

[gerry mcg]

Your quite right there. Is yours an automatic gerry mcg

No, my van has a comformatic gearbox, so not a true auto, rather the robotised manual‘ box with a manual handbrake, rather than e-handbrake, but i get what you are wanting to do.
i would leave your van well chocked, in P and work out how to put the handbrake in service mode if you are planning to leave it in storage….. but make sure once you put the handbrake in service mode, you leave a sticker to remind you to take it out of service mode before you drive!!!
Something like this for mercedes

 

[royandsharont]

Thanks gerry mcg for clarifying this point. I don’t know what to expect with the yet to arrive 22 model Ducato except it should have an electronic parking brake.

I know on my Skoda to disable the parking brake is easy by comparison to the helpful video you attached. There is a process to follow but it is basically releasing the brake via the electric switch whilst applying the foot pedal in a set sequence in conjunction with the ignition being turned off. It is keyless but the Ducato will not be. That allows me to leave the brakes off when I’ve just washed the car & put it in the garage or when I leave it there whilst touring

 

[autorouter]

When in storage I made very large timber ramps and would store it using these at the front to assist the water to fall off the rear as much as possible. I’d leave it in gear wheels chocked and handbrake off, to help the brakes not seizing on, without any problems. There was no risk of it rolling backwards into anything to damage etc.

As you are making your own ramps, if the part where the wheels are supported is exactly horizontal, there will be no tendency for the vehicle to roll off. Even if there is a difference in height. If you add wheel chocks for safety then it should be possible to leave it with no handbrake applied and in neutral. Or in P if you want, there will be no strain on the mechanism.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[royandsharont]

Yes autorouter the ramps I made are very large with flat tops so the old van did not move but I still chocked the rear wheels. Thanks for that information, it will be just as I did with the old manual van

 

[Tony50]

Beware leaving any automatic in park with the handbrake off and ANY possibility it can roll. The parking pawl that inhibits the gearbox from turning is generally just a steel pin between 4 and 6mm in diameter. They do snap and can destroy the gearbox, even if the van doesn't roll away. I have seen it on cars, but it is more likely on a loaded van (motorhome) due to the weight involved

I totally agree , why people want to leave a vehicle in Park with the handbrake off with a load against it I'll never know , that also applies to a manual gearbox , if you want to leave a vehicle on ramps with the handbrake off you would be better off concreting a steel post in the ground and fixing a chain to the Towing eye and post

 

[gus-lopez]

I always used P & handbrake with autos except here.I leave in neutral due to there propensity to 'shunt' vehicles whilst parking.

 

[dash300]

I totally agree , why people want to leave a vehicle in Park with the handbrake off with a load against it I'll never know , that also applies to a manual gearbox , if you want to leave a vehicle on ramps with the handbrake off you would be better off concreting a steel post in the ground and fixing a chain to the Towing eye and post

'Load' being the significant factor. If no significant load P is fine without handbrake in my view. If on ramps that is a load and if living in it that is a significant load, so brake on. If I had a vehicle in storeage I would definately avoid leaving the handbrake manual or electronic on. In gear or Park plus chocked wheels. Should my PVC ever arrive I am fortunate to have a no 'load' driveway to park on but if moving around in it would apply the handbrake.