Technical Park gear???

[ukcommsprepper]

Hello all, I'm a new qubo owner.
I have a 2013 fiat qubo automatic, most of the automatic cars I've had have a PARK gear, but this one only doesn't, you park it with the handbrake, if handbrake is not on, it doesn't matter what gear it's in, it rolls, is this normal or is there something I need to get checked?

 

[portland_bill]

This is not a conventional automatic gearbox, but a robotised manual gearbox. The gearbox is the same one that would be used in a manual car, but the clutch and gearchanges are managed by an ECU, and operated by hydraulic controls. So there's no additional components inside the gearbox to provide a park gear and pawl.
From your post, I'd guess you have been used to using Park, and not applying the handbrake, and now have to relearn better habits. So no, it's not broken, just catching you out for a while.
Highway Code rule 239 states: "you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle" indicating that this is law, even with conventional automatics. (The risk of a policeman seeing an unapplied handbrake is very low of course.)

 

[Noony]

This is not a conventional automatic gearbox, but a robotised manual gearbox. The gearbox is the same one that would be used in a manual car, but the clutch and gearchanges are managed by an ECU, and operated by hydraulic controls. So there's no additional components inside the gearbox to provide a park gear and pawl.
From your post, I'd guess you have been used to using Park, and not applying the handbrake, and now have to relearn better habits. So no, it's not broken, just catching you out for a while.
Highway Code rule 239 states: "you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle" indicating that this is law, even with conventional automatics. (The risk of a policeman seeing an unapplied handbrake is very low of course.)

I hadn't thought about that law!!! I have to be honest I only apply the handbrake on my Automatic Audi A4 when I am parked on a hill, but on the flat and level it's just in Park.

I just may change my habits from now on although I very rarely use my Audi as I prefer my Qubo which is a manual.

 

[Red Van Man]

I hadn't thought about that law!!! I have to be honest I only apply the handbrake on my Automatic Audi A4 when I am parked on a hill, but on the flat and level it's just in Park.

I just may change my habits from now on although I very rarely use my Audi as I prefer my Qubo which is a manual.

In my days with a 'proper' auto box (Toyota Rav 4, Saab 9-3) if I forgot to put the handbrake on (extremely rare!) and was in P, if I was on a slope and pulled out of Park to go to Drive there was a horrible clunk as the weight of the car was resting on the Park lock in the transmission so I feel it was not at all good for the gearbox - why would they give you a handbrake if it's not there to use? Belt and braces, secure parking imho