as you already know its really bad to try to start a car that's already running.. what that does is it tears the fly wheel teeth off or the starter gear which ever is weaker... (usualy the fly wheel teeth is weaker) which requires you to pull the transmission away from engine to change the fly wheel... its a bigger job for your average joe. ive heard you can buy a flywheel that's harder metal than the starter but ive never done it myself but I have seen some people do it.
All modern cars require that you have a foot on the brake and be pushing on the brake before taking the car out of park. It can also be hard to get the steering wheel out of lock if you parked the car with the wheels turned fully left or right.
Sometimes the linkage on the shifter prevents moving the lever out of park. There is usually an emergency release on the shifter column somewhere.
Always set the parking brake before putting the car in park, especially when parking on an incline. That way, the weight of the car is on the parking brake (that's what it's there for) rather than on the parking pawl in the transmission.
Some cars require pressure on the brake to shift out of park. Most won't let you do it unless the key is on. Make sure that you read the owners manual. If that's not it, have a qualified mechanic take a look at it.
Steering wheel turned to extreme on incline or up against curb will be hard shifting. Read and understand owners manual. You need to have pressure on brake pedal in order to shift - this pertains to all model cars in U.S.A. within last 10 years or so. Good Luck-- pay attention - be aware, .your safety and others to consider.
Were you parked on a hill? If so the the transmission can be hard to get out of park. It helps to use the parking brake. Or do you know how to work the shift knob lever?
You will not tear up the car so don't feel bad. He should have spent more time going over these details.
As for trying start the car when running. That shows you are not really paying attention to what you are doing. That is a bad thing for a new driver. So fix that. Turn off the radio, cell phone, look at dashboard, check key position.
Also read through the entire car manual. You will find a good information in there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterile_Coc...
Okay so I just got my first car on Father's Day. It's a 2000 Chevy Malibu LS. I'm ab19 year old female & just recently got my drivers permit! I'm not too familiar with cars & how they work. So my parents let me drive around the neighborhood a little. & sometimes I just get in my car & sit it in & listen to the radio. I went riding today an when I parked my car my gear shifter thing got stuck in park & it was hard to shift back into drive but it did when my mom tried. & sometimes I do make the mistake of trying to start my car when it's already on & it will make a ugly noise, but I will try not to do that again because I heard that is BAD for your car. My mom & stepdad is blaming me for my gear shifter getting stuck & saying that I'm going to tear up my car! It's making me feel bad!
