[zprovo]

Coming from a Saab I always put my car in reverse when I get out of the car and usually use the handbrake. For some reason I didn't apply the handbrake today when I got home. My driveway has a decent slope to it and the car MOVED! against the engine's compression. I let it go through 3 strokes before I got back in a put on the handbrake.
I'm assuming this isn't normal, but the car runs like a top, very peppy, doesn't use any oil, 22 mpg around town.
any thoughts on how this could be and still run well? could the variable valve timing have anything to do with it? I ask that not knowing how variable valve timing works....
new to me 2004 V70R six speed manual with 97,000 miles.

 

[Beck]

3 strokes?!? What are you talking about at all?

 

[zprovo]

you know when a car with low compression rolls through a stroke of the engine? that may not be the best way to describe it....I may have owned too many old cars.
it's like when you turn over an engine by hand and the pressure increases, and increases and then you push through it. I'm calling that a stroke.

 

[senordude]

Same thing happened to me when I got my '04 SR last December. Freaked me out. I surfed swedespeed and I never found a "oh man you gotta get the compression tested" comments that I expected. Every thread that discussed it seemed to say it was normal. I stopped worrying and just religiously use the parking brake.

 

[zprovo]

thanks senordude! I guess I'll do the same thing.

 

[Paisley Pirate]

They are a relatively low compression vehicle, so it is quite possible that you could move past the compression cycle on the stroke. My old 240t cars would definitely do it on my (steep) driveway. Heck, wife's old 318 Mopar would, too... Parking Brake is your Friend. (and using it keeps it alive longer)

 

[DrBrutal]

I hate when people put my car in gear (or any for the matter). It's just like.. why? The E-brake is there for a reason... Unless your handbrake is broken, I don't see why not to use it. Also, fix your **** if it IS broken lol