Helpful Tips for Hill Parking
Parking on a hill can be a daunting task, especially for new drivers. However, by understanding a few simple techniques, you can confidently navigate any incline. The key to safe hill parking lies in the direction of your wheels. If your parking brake fails, this particular task could save lives and property. Identify whether you are parked uphill or downhill and if there is a curb.
Uphill Parking
- WITH A CURB: Turn your wheels away from the curb. This will ensure that if your car starts to roll, it will roll into the curb, preventing it from moving further.
- WITHOUT A CURB: Turn your wheels toward the curb. This directs the car away from potential hazards like oncoming traffic or pedestrians. If the brakes fail, the car will roll off the road rather than into traffic.
Downhill Parking
- WITH OR WITHOUT A CURB: Turn your wheels toward the curb. This will prevent your car from rolling downhill into traffic.
The “Up Up and Away” Rule
A simple way to remember these guidelines is the phrase “Up Up and Away.” If you’re parking uphill, your wheels should point “up” and “away” from the curb. For downhill parking, the opposite applies.
Additional Tips for Safe Hill Parking
Once nestled into that parking space, shift the car into neutral while keeping your foot on the brake. Assess what angle your car is parked and turn the wheel the appropriate direction. Release a little pressure off the brake pedal and allow the car to roll slowly until the tire gently touches the curb. Shift the car into park and turn off the ignition.
For extra safety:
- Set the Parking Brake: Always engage your parking brake to provide an extra layer of security.
- Check Your Brakes: Ensure your brakes are in good working condition to avoid any unexpected incidents.
- Be Mindful of the Slope: The steeper the hill, the more important it is to follow these guidelines.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice hill parking, the more confident you’ll become.
By following these tips, you can safely park on any hill, ensuring peace of mind and avoiding potential accidents.
Always Take Extra Care When Parking Parking Uphill or Downhill
Stay alert, scan ahead, and slow down. Take your time parking to ensure each step is properly adhered to. As a motorist, it is our responsibility to operate vehicles safely and in a sensible manner. Consider taking an online refresher driving course to stay current with law changes and best driving practices.
Interested in learning more? Click here to check out our full list of Top Driver safe driving tips.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn my wheels when parking uphill with a curb?
Turn the wheels away from the curb. If the parking brake fails and the car starts to roll, it will roll backward into the curb, which stops it from drifting into the lane. The easiest way to remember the whole set of hill parking rules is the phrase 'Up Up and Away.' Uphill, point the wheels up and away from the curb. Downhill, point them toward the curb. After turning the wheel, ease off the brake and let the tire roll until it gently touches the curb, then shift to park and engage the parking brake.
How do I park on a hill when there's no curb?
Turn the wheels so a runaway car would roll off the road, not into traffic. Uphill without a curb, turn the wheels toward the shoulder, the same direction as the edge of the road. Downhill without a curb, turn the wheels toward the shoulder as well. In both cases the goal is the same: if the brakes fail, gravity carries the car away from oncoming and passing traffic instead of into it. Always engage the parking brake and shift into park as your final steps.
Which way do my wheels go when parking downhill?
Toward the curb, every time. Whether there's a curb present or not, the front wheels should point toward the curb or shoulder when you're parked facing downhill. If the car begins to roll, the curb stops it. Without a curb, the wheels guide it off the roadway rather than into the lane. The full sequence: stop in your space, shift to neutral with your foot on the brake, turn the wheel toward the curb, release the brake slightly so the tire rolls into the curb, then shift to park and set the parking brake.
Do I really need to set the parking brake on a hill?
Yes, every time. The parking brake is a separate mechanical system from your regular brakes, and on a hill it's your backup if the transmission's parking pawl wears or fails. The proper sequence is: brake pedal pressed, shift to neutral, set the parking brake, then shift to park and release the brake pedal. This takes the load off the transmission and puts it on the parking brake, which is what it's built for. Then verify the curb-pointed-wheels are positioned correctly as a third layer of protection.
Any tips for getting more comfortable with hill parking?
Practice in a low-traffic spot, ideally one with both uphill and downhill spaces and a clear curb. Walk through the steps slowly: stop, neutral, turn the wheel, ease into the curb, park, parking brake. Steeper hills make the wheel position matter more, so don't skip the steps just because the grade looks mild. Top Driver also offers online refresher courses that cover parking technique along with law updates and best practices, which is a good option if you haven't parked on a hill in a while or you've recently moved somewhere hillier.
