How to Park a Car on a Hill

A car parked on an incline can roll downhill, forward or backward if the parking brake is not set or not working properly or if the car is not braced against the curb. Remember these simple steps when parking your car on a hill.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Automobile

With a Curb

1. Parallel park but stop within six inches of the curb.
2. Brace the wheels against the curb. To brace your car when parking downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb and drive forward slowly until the wheel is against the curb. To brace your car when parking uphill, turn your wheels sharply, away from the curb, and back up slowly until the rear of the tire is against the curb.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Put the car in the proper gear, reverse, low gear or park.
5. Turn off the engine.

Without a Curb

6. Parallel park as in the previous section.
7. Turn your wheels sharply to the right. If the car should roll, it will roll away from the flow of traffic.
8. Set the parking brake.
9. Put the car in the proper gear, reverse, low gear or park.
10. Turn off the engine.

Tips & Warnings

• When you park on a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so that the car will not roll into the street if the brakes fail.
• Leave the vehicle in gear if it has a manual transmission (stick-shift).
• Use the park position if your vehicle has an automatic transmission.
• Always set your parking brake.