[Arkarch]

Hello,

The question, then background... at slow parking lot speed (<10 mph) what are the ramifications of suddenly throwing a V6 into Park to emergency stop the vehicle. I know its not good, but I figure the electronics of the system likely used the braking system to assist with this rather abrupt maneuver so it couldnt be as bad as a friend throwing a 1960's Baraccuda into Reverse at Freeway speed :|

Why did I use Park?... Stupid situation - leaving a wedding event where I had changed shoes in the car, I had inadvertently left a shoe in the pedal well. While I was able to start the car (having to depress brake), and safely backed out of the parking spot, I suddenly discovered the brake was not responsive (the shoe got caught) and in fact began impacting the acceleration pedal. Not knowing all this at the time and needing to stop very soon to avoid any impacts with cars or people, I did the next thing.

Of choices - turning the Car Off (which may be bad on an electronically controlled car but I have done that on a runaway Firebird whose throttle cable got stuck); throwing into Park (which I did) or Neutral (which may have been better if I could brake); or using the parking brake (which may have been the best of three choices, but not considered on the quick think). What would have been the best choice in hindsight?

Anyway, I have noticed no problems with the vehicle. It runs as good as before - which is very impressive I might add. The car has 3000 miles. But what, if anything should I look for or have a dealer look at during upcoming service? Would the car actually use the brakes to help assist?

As an added note - of all the cars I have driven, I have to say the area behind the pedals of the Touareg are cavernous. I could store luggage back there. Big surprise.

 

[mbeach]

Did your engine stall when you did this?
If not, I'd say the transmission is smarter than we are, and you're going to be just fine.
If the engine did stall, it just means that the crankshaft was momentarily stopped, which may or may not have lasting consequences. This happened in my old VehiCross and it didn't hurt a thing.

I was sliding on hardpack (snow and ice) today (down a steep hill) in my work AWD work van. As I headed towards the ditch/guardrail/cliff, I had the idea to throw the van into reverse and hit the gas. I figured that the wheels were locked (as far as the ABS would allow), so the transmission was essentially in neutral. It popped right into reverse, and stopped the slide cold. I'd probably never do this in my own vehicle though.

 

[Arkarch]

Nope, no stall.

Not a harsh, rocky stop either. It just stopped like I had applied max brakes.

Good point. I had not thought about potential engine damage - but that makes a bunch of sense. So far nothing unusual.

My understanding, at least with tiptronic, is that the trans wont let you go into a gear thats out of spec. From that perspective, I kinda figure the programming applies brakes on such an event. Only speculation tho.

Any Touareg drivetrain experts out there?

 

[Arkarch]

Doing some research, the tippy may have downshifted through lower gears to Park, using the engine to help brake the car. At the slow speed I was moving, I'm sure I didnt hit any rev thresholds. At higher speed - different story.

For the very same reason, I'll strike the thought of going to neutral as an option because of rev issues. Kicking to manual and rapidly downshifting may have been a better option.

 

[aircooled]

There is a interlock mechanical that will keep the vehicle from being shifted into reverse or park accidently or intentionally. It won't actually engage into either of those two positions until the speed decreases to approx. 3 mph. More likely than not, you would suffer damage to the transmission than the engine if you did this routinely, but at least this keeps you from accidently grenading your tranny at highway speed.

 

[whitey]

my option would be to use the (P) brake, if available of course

 

[mbeach]

That might be my largest functional gripe with the Touareg -the location of the parking (or what used to be called the emergency) brake.

It's not well positioned to get to in a hurry. At least with a hand brake, it's right there, and can be modulated to an extent.