Rear wheel spins freely in park

[05gt3]

Hi everyone,

2005 Mazda 3 GT

Today while replacing rear (driver) wheel sensor, I noticed that the wheel was spinning freely. I had it up on stands and in park (obviously) and when I began tightening the nuts I noticed the wheel spinning with out resistance all the way around. Is this normal? I assume that in park all wheels should lock up?

Thanks for the replies!

[TheMAN]

no, "Park" just locks the drive wheels as there's a little piece of metal the size of your pinky finger that latches onto a sprocket inside the transmission... this is why using just "Park" is totally unsafe, especially on hills... you put all of the vehicle's weight on the transmission and motor mounts... a lot of strain... over time those parts can break... you should ALWAYS use the parking brake which will lock the rear wheels and remove all strain from the transmission/motor mounts

[05gt3]

this might seem like a dumb question..... probably is..... but its an auto, does that make a diff?

[TheMAN]

"park" is an auto only thing :rolleyes

[sudz]

"Park" Does front tires (I believe via a Pin in the tranny?) (Manual drivers just leave it in gear to let the engine help the E-Brake)

The E-Brake lever does only rear wheels. Good for donuts in the winter.

Your normal brake pedal does 60% front, 40% rear, unless the car determines its better otherwise through its magical wizardry known as EBFD (Electronic Brake Force distribution)

[TheMAN]

"park" locks only the drive wheels like I said.... if you have an AWD car, it locks all the wheels... if you have a RWD car, it locks only the rear wheels
"park" is not the magical answer to keeping your car stationary... you need to use the parking brakes also to really ensure your car won't roll off!
your car rocking back and forth as you get in/out of the car is a good clue that the "park" function in the transmission isn't fully keeping your car from moving! it also makes it very hard for you to get out of "park" and into gear when you are parked on a hill, because of all the strain on the transmission!

[silverstarmazda]

this thread made my day lol

[6strings]

this thread made my day lol

Then you should check out the "my wife drives my mazda and I got the best gas mileage" thread, as well as "what cleaner for 'strak' free windows"
TM3 needs an entry level interview for starting threads.

[sudz]

Arent they called faq? Or stickies? Lol. I was being nice because of low post count.

[cwp_sedan]

this thread made my day lol


Then you should check out the "my wife drives my mazda and I got the best gas mileage" thread, as well as "what cleaner for 'strak' free windows"
TM3 needs an entry level interview for starting threads.

Try a little harder gentlemen. Sudz and TheMan have the right idea.

[peterm15]

Try a little harder gentlemen. Sudz and TheMan have the right idea.

Lol. Glad I didn't send the post I made earlier.

To the op. you have already had the answer to your question. I'm just curious as to how you didn't know this but have the skill to change the sensor? Is this something your just learning as you go or do you have help from a friend?

And of all people The Man didn't troll this guy. He must have been in a good mood. Lol.

[silverstarmazda]

Try a little harder gentlemen. Sudz and TheMan have the right idea.

lol just enjoying the thread. reason why i didnt add anything is because theMAN and sudz pretty much nailed it

[cwp_sedan]

lol just enjoying the thread. reason why i didnt add anything is because theMAN and sudz pretty much nailed it

Maybe chuckle to yourself next time. Wasted posts are still wasted posts.

[Hyperion]

Maybe chuckle to yourself next time. Wasted posts are still wasted posts.

Yabadabadoooooo

[shift8]

no, "Park" just locks the drive wheels as there's a little piece of metal the size of your pinky finger that latches onto a sprocket inside the transmission... this is why using just "Park" is totally unsafe, especially on hills... you put all of the vehicle's weight on the transmission and motor mounts... a lot of strain... over time those parts can break... you should ALWAYS use the parking brake which will lock the rear wheels and remove all strain from the transmission/motor mounts

Regardless as to whether I'm parking a vehicle with manual or automatic transmission, I always use the parking brake. Once I come to a stop, I place the car in neutral, engage the parking brake, release the brake pedal to allow the weight to be held by the parking brake (and ensures you've engaged it enough to not roll), then place the car into park (automatic). With manual, I turn off the car, engage the clutch, shift to 2nd gear, then re-engage the clutch.

Following that, I exit the vehicle, press the fob twice because I like the sound of the horn, and check the handles, ensuring my fob wasn't locking another car. At this point, I typically realize the windows are down, re-enter the car, insert the key, turn the ignition switch to ON, and utilize the window buttons in order to move the windows into an upward (in relation to the ground and atmosphere) velocity. Once they are fully lifted, I switch the ignition to OFF, exit the vehicle, and perform the same fob locking steps as previously noted.

[sudz]

Regardless as to whether I'm parking a vehicle with manual or automatic transmission, I always use the parking brake. Once I come to a stop, I place the car in neutral, engage the parking brake, release the brake pedal to allow the weight to be held by the parking brake (and ensures you've engaged it enough to not roll), then place the car into park (automatic). With manual, I turn off the car, engage the clutch, shift to 2nd gear, then re-engage the clutch.

Following that, I exit the vehicle, press the fob twice because I like the sound of the horn, and check the handles, ensuring my fob wasn't locking another car. At this point, I typically realize the windows are down, re-enter the car, insert the key, turn the ignition switch to ON, and utilize the window buttons in order to move the windows into an upward (in relation to the ground and atmosphere) velocity. Once they are fully lifted, I switch the ignition to OFF, exit the vehicle, and perform the same fob locking steps as previously noted.

I'd almost vote this for sticky but you forgot the unlocking procedures.

So instead, I'll vote for locking this thread as its getting ridiculous. lol.

[shift8]

I'd almost vote this for sticky but you forgot the unlocking procedures.

So instead, I'll vote for locking this thread as its getting ridiculous. lol.

The unlocking procedure was covered in the previous chapter. It is assumed that if you're trying to park a car, that you've already managed to learn the unlocking procedure :) (also I'm glad someone got the joke)

[loki]

this might seem like a dumb question..... probably is..... but its an auto, does that make a diff?

I just saw this.


that is all.

[cwp_sedan]

Regardless as to whether I'm parking a vehicle with manual or automatic transmission, I always use the parking brake. Once I come to a stop, I place the car in neutral, engage the parking brake, release the brake pedal to allow the weight to be held by the parking brake (and ensures you've engaged it enough to not roll), then place the car into park (automatic). With manual, I turn off the car, engage the clutch, shift to 2nd gear, then re-engage the clutch.

Following that, I exit the vehicle, press the fob twice because I like the sound of the horn, and check the handles, ensuring my fob wasn't locking another car. At this point, I typically realize the windows are down, re-enter the car, insert the key, turn the ignition switch to ON, and utilize the window buttons in order to move the windows into an upward (in relation to the ground and atmosphere) velocity. Once they are fully lifted, I switch the ignition to OFF, exit the vehicle, and perform the same fob locking steps as previously noted.


You technically don't have to change gears and then but the e-brake on with an Auto. As long as you don't remove your foot from the brake, put the e-brake on, put it into park and then release the brake you will be fine. Reverse order for leaving.


With that said... :lock