Introduction
Parking on a hill is never just about stopping the car — it’s about making sure it won’t roll away. When parking downhill, gravity is pulling your car forward, so your wheels must be turned in a way that prevents it from rolling into traffic if your brakes fail.
Step-by-Step Procedure
1. Downhill Parking with a Curb
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Signal right and pull over close to the curb.
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Turn your steering wheel toward the curb (to the right).
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Let your car roll slowly until the front tire rests gently against the curb.
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Shift into Park (or reverse if using a manual transmission).
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Set the parking brake.
Why?
If your brakes fail, the tire will roll into the curb and stop the car from moving forward.
2. Downhill Parking without a Curb
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Signal right and pull over near the right edge of the road.
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Turn your steering wheel toward the edge of the road (to the right).
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Shift into Park (or reverse for manual).
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Set the parking brake.
Why?
With no curb to stop the car, turning the wheels right ensures the vehicle will roll off the road instead of into traffic.
Safety Reminders
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Always set the parking brake when parking on a hill.
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Keep your vehicle within 12 inches of the curb or road edge.
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Look over your shoulder and check mirrors before pulling away.
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Straighten your wheels before driving off.
Conclusion
The rule for downhill parking is easy to remember:
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Always turn your wheels to the right (toward the curb or edge).
That way, if your car starts to roll, it will move off the road instead of into traffic.