Explain why you need to turn the wheels when parking on a hill.

This may very basic, elementary and possibly dumb question but I have to ask.

Why, when parking uphill, driver should steer tires away from curb? Won't steering toward curb also can stop car by rear wheels? Think about it, the car will head in reverse towards the curb, in case if It's break fails, and curb should stop it from back from rolling further.

I guess steering away is more efficient because in other case due to weight of car and due to distance(because rear tires are straight) it may gain a little momentum and roll up on the obstacle of curb and may roll on further dangerously. Is this the theory behind this traffic advice and rule?

EDIT I guess the angle of tire with which it will make contact with curb also makes a difference. Front tires makes a better i.e bigger angle against curb and hence may be a better stopper.

If you’re wondering if parking correctly and safely on a hill is really all that important after your road exam, let us assure you it is!  You may be surprised if we told you questions about hill parking are some of the most searched questions online. We’re not surprised either since drivers need to understand which direction the vehicle wheels are to be turned when parking uphill or downhill with a curb or no curb. Never fear, we’re here to put an answer to it all today!

We’re going to look at uphill and downhill parking today, with smart safety tips for both scenarios.

The main thing to know about parking on a hill is that the front wheels need to be in a position to prevent your vehicle from rolling down the hill.

If you’re parking downhill and there is a curb present, the first step will be choosing a safe and legal parking spot.  On approach to a suitable location if parking on the right, check your mirrors and signal to the right. Complete a right shoulder check and bring the vehicle parallel to the curb, within 30 cm (1 foot). Place the gear shift selector in Neutral, gently ease off the foot brake and turn the front wheels right.  Stop before touching the curb, apply the park brake and place the gear shift selector to Park if you’re driving an automatic and Reverse if you are driving a standard. The same procedures apply if no curbs are present when parking downhill.

The difference with rolling or mountable curbs is they are not high enough to stop your vehicle from rolling backwards into traffic.  Therefore, you are to treat these curbs with the same procedures as uphill without a curb and turn the front wheels to the right.

Most of the procedures remain the same if you are parking on a street without a curb. Choose a safe and legal space, mirror check, signal, shoulder check. Still maintain your 30cm (1 foot) distance from the edge of the road and turn your tires to the right. This applies when there is no curb available, or if you are beside a rolling curb or mountable curb. In the event that your vehicle does roll, with the front wheels turned to the right, it rolls off the road rather than into it. Turning your wheels to the right means that if you are parked facing downhill, your vehicle will roll forward and away from the road, and if you are facing uphill, your vehicle will roll backwards and away from the road. Win-win. Apply the park brake and place the gear shift selector into the Park position.

Often overlooked is the subject of securing a parked vehicle on a hill. Regardless of which direction your vehicle and its wheels are facing, you should always apply your park brake before placing the gear shift selector into the Park position in an automatic vehicle. This allows the vehicle to be secured by the park brake and alleviates the shifter lever from becoming stuck in the Park position.

When leaving the parked position:

• keep your foot on the foot brake
• choose the appropriate gear
• release the park brake
• complete your 360° vision check
• Signal
• Shoulder check
• Move into your desired direction

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Many drivers' first question when they are hill parking is whether they need to turn their wheels to the right or to the left. All you need to do is think about what way will keep your vehicle from rolling into roadway traffic and you should be set!

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Next, apply your emergency brake.

Using your emergency brake is the best assurance that your car will not roll when parked on a hill.

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Before you turn off your vehicle, you must turn your tires. It is important to turn your steering wheel before turning your vehicle off so you can turn the wheels with power steering. Turning your wheels acts as another backup if your brakes were to fail for some reason. If your emergency brakes fail, your car will roll into the curb instead of the roadway, avoiding a serious accident or major damage.

When parking downhill, make sure to turn your wheels toward the curb, or to the right (if parking on a 2 way street). Roll forward nice and slow until the front of your front tire gently rests against the curb, using it as a block.

When parking uphill, make sure to turn your wheels away from the curb, or to the left (if parking on a 2 way street). Roll backwards nice and slow until the back of the front tire gently rests against the curb, using it as a block.

If there is no curb available, whether you are parking downhill or uphill, turn your wheels to the right. Since there is no curb, turning your wheels to the right will cause your car to roll forward (parked facing downhill) or backwards (parked facing uphill) off the road.