Car rolled back in P (no park brake)… transmission damage?

[Sequentialist]

Morning guys,

Wondering if anyone with way more expertise can help me.

Yesterday I inadvertently didn’t pull up the electromechanical park brake on my brand new Tiguan (6 speed DSG), when parking on a reasonable slope.

The car was in park, and when I took my foot off the brake, it rolled back a little then locked in.

I realised my error straight away and put the park brake on, pressed the brake pedal, and pulled the gear shift out of park. It required some force to do so, with a bit of a clunk.

With a little research I found that the car had been resting on the “parking pawl”, and that this can be tight to disengage when on a slope.

My question to those with a mechanical mind… have I damaged the parking pawl component by letting the car roll back onto it without the park brake? (Or caused damage when I pulled the lever back out of park subsequently?).

I’m a little concerned as the car is new, and I’ve read that parking pawls can fracture or wear with misuse.

Grateful to anyone who can help out with some info.

Cheers guys!

Mike


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[Guest001]

Same as in any other type of auto and something you shouldnt do as the result can be as you say. Why would you not put the handbrake on when parking on a hill ,is something that is an automatic action.
You could have damaged it but will be expensive to find out .
Tiguans also have auto hold (hill hold) so why not use that also.

Lesson learned Dont forget it but has been the same since any auto in almost any car.

[Sequentialist]

Thanks Hillbilly.

It was a strange oversight as yes, putting on the brake is an automatic response.

Perhaps it’s the result of the button instead of the traditional handbrake… too much automation caused me to forget!

Is there any way to test whether I’ve caused any damage?

I’m assuming the component can cope with a one-off incident like this? But I’d love to be sure I’ve not caused damage somehow.

Cheers
Mike.


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[Guest001]

Wouldnt worry too much they are built to take a few attempts I guess

[Lucas_R]

Im sure its fine. If you had done any damage you would have known about it pretty quickly. Count yourself lucky.

[iDiesel]

I think you’ll be right mate
I’ve seen this happen in many different cars many times over the years and never been an issue
Obviously avoid doing it if you can though

[Mozzz]

I still practice the old school regime of stop with foot on the brake, then into neutral, handbrake on, foot off brake so handbrake takes the stopping load and then move into park.

[Guest001]

I still practice the old school regime of stop with foot on the brake, then into neutral, handbrake on, foot off brake so handbrake takes the stopping load and then move into park.

Same except I put brake on whilst still in gear then N foot off brake P Ensures its holding on the brake and not the parking pawl

[mr gee]

I still practice the old school regime of stop with foot on the brake, then into neutral, handbrake on, foot off brake so handbrake takes the stopping load and then move into park.

Pretty much what I do when I remember haha. esp when on a slope.

[Sequentialist]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback - you’ve put my mind at rest!
Cheers,
Mike