Anyone throw their truck in “Park” while driving? Whoops!

Long story short, my kid bought a standard Corolla and is learning to drive it. I have been picking her up from school and her job in it, so she can drive home etc as she learns to row gears. In so doing, I’m getting all the old manual transmission muscle memory back myself.

Yesterday, that rekindled MT muscle memory kicked in driving my automatic taco! Slammed that bitch right into Park at the bottom of a hill at 60km/hr . Yeeet!

Here’s what happened:

Truck did not go into reverse. That was blocked by the logic. Once in Park and coasting to a stop I could not put it back in Drive. Contrary to popular belief, and the myth busters, the parking pawl did try to engage the ratchet gear and made a horrible buzzing sound until the truck came to a stop.

The truck drives normally and nothing adverse so far. I may do a fluid drain in case any particles came off the pawl. A friend I know who rebuilds transmissions said this type of thing happens often, and is usually a nothing burger if you don’t snap the pawl.

Anyways. I will update if there are any side affects other than wounded pride.

 

I can't speak to putting it in park, but I certainly know the muscle memory problem. I currently have a manual car that I drive with my auto truck. I have slammed on the brakes on my truck pressing in the "clutch" definitely glad no-one was in the truck with me when I did it lol. Also lots of swatting of flys...

 

I'll bet it's fine, good thing nothing broke. On a side note, I've done similar to rental cars back in the day (and much worse) and they all eventually made it back to the rental place.

 

Which should be a teaching point. Never buy rentals or GSA vehicles from an auction. Ask me how I know about GSAs.

 

Reminded of my close friend’s 56 Chevy when we were in high school in late 60s. His brakes were shot, and upon approaching stop signs, would throw the auto trans into P, thus sliding to a stop. We called it the Bondo Bomb as the body was mostly Bondo.

 

Yeah a ton in rentals. Never seemed to really affect it though

 

Maybe I should sell my truck to Hertz?

 

Yea, trucks totalled. Sell it and buy a manual, problem solved /j

 

Defintely never buy a rental vehicle. And always get the rental insurance, especially if you plan on testing the ebrake, trans and tire performance.

 

Lol I did it to my wife's CRV after driving my MT Taco. It just made the sound haha. Drove fine with no damage.
However, I can't tell you how many times I have been driving an automatic and pushed in the non existent clutch when braking!

 

The infamous “ghost clutch”

 

I'll put it like this. I know the accelerator cutoff speed of every recruiter car I had....

 

I always wondered what would happen if you did that! I’ve come to realize that you can find answers to all of life’s questions, right here on TW. lol

Glad nothing bad happened!

 

It's good your daughter wasn't with you for that lesson in driving .
The other day on an incline in drive I let the truck roll backwards a bit and it didn't like that . Shut off and message on dash about transmission but all seems fine .

 

Dont really understand how MT vs AT confusion can lead to this.. but Im more confused about how its possible. Most vehicles Ive driven with a console shifter have a physical lockout (not just logic) that prevents the lever from moving into R or P at any speed above 5-10 mph, whatever the manufacturer sets as their limit.

Did you hit it so hard you broke that safety off?

Edit: clearly never tried it in my truck.. But I would be surprised if Toyota didnt use something just like it

 

I have also concluded that if you need an answer to a question that may seem silly some or folks are not willing to share their knowledge with you, then just post up some BS on the topic stating it as fact and you will quickly be corrected by said knowledge hoarders. There is your free correct answer.

Works like a charm!

 

Yikes! Never done that and I switch between standard and auto. Maybe cause I have to depress a clutch.

Let us know what happens/happened!

 

My truck is also a manual but most the time I drive my 95 Corolla also a stick. My wife has an auto and if I’m driving she keeps a close eye on me. I step on the ghost pedal a lot and sometimes I reach for stick but have always caught myself. The one I can’t seem to learn is turning off the engine then being confused as to why the key is stuck in the ignition. I do that at least once or twice every time i drive it.

 

At least it wasnt reverse . A friends dad accidentally threw his blazer in reverse on the highway by accident . You can only image what happened next transmission parts flew from the truck . Luckily he didn’t roll it or crash . The transmission was toast .