I've noticed on alot of pictures that people have posted on here, that they leave it in gear, it looks to be usually in 3rd. Is there a reason for this, perhaps security?

You should always leave your car in gear when parked just incase your handbrake fails!!
Unlikely in a new car I know but you never know, especially if you park it on a hill!
Any gear will do the trick!!

Funny enough, but i never knew that.

Try putting your car in gear, taking off the handbrake and giving it a push!
It wont budge, if you drive an older car I suggest you always park it in gear, just to be safe!

I learned this the hard way and it cost me a rear bumper. I had the handbrake on the first notch (the first that was holding the car) and forgot to leave it in gear. Sure enough when the brakes cooled down the first notch was no longer sufficient to hold the car still and it rolled back and hit a wall.

The two things I learnt:
1. Don't rely on the smallest amount of hand brake to hold your car still.
2. Always double-check that it is in gear.

Also the smaller the gear the better chance to hold the car still should it start rolling on a steep hill. If you park down hill user 1st gear... if you park up hill use reverse... this way if the car should start rolling the engine is at least being forced to turn the right way.

I always do this have done with every car I've owned. Whilst on the subject if you brakes are hot e.g. Trackdays or "spirited driving" don't park with the handbrake on as it can warp the brake disks.

I alawys have parked my car in gear, esp since my drive is on an incline.

When i leave mine in gear with the handbrake off it jerks backwards every 5-10 seconds... anyone know why? I'm driving a Ka atm not an so don't worry! lol

It's called stalling mate.

no no i'm not in the car! lol I did it to try out the "you don't need the handbrake" theory... and it didn't work!

nah, obviously its not vital, but for the sake of just putting it in gear its worth it just incase. you never know what might happem

Totally agree there Crofty. Fair enough if you get out the car and putting the handbrake on isn't making it stop then yes there is something wrong. But you should always put it in gear just incase the handbrake were to fail whilst you're not there.

There should be a maximum of 4-5 "clicks" when lifting the handbrake....any more and you should think ablout getting it tightened.