The position of the wheels when parking
By hsofyan
@hsofyan (3446)
Jakarta, Indonesia
May 27, 2012 12:05pm CST
The position of the wheels are not straight when parking is not true.
When you park, do you always with a straight wheel position?
2 responses
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
27 May 12
In our driving handbook, it states that if you are parked facing downhill, you should turn your wheels toward the curb. That way, if your car's brakes fail, it will drift into the curb. If you are parked facing uphill, you should turn the wheels facing away from the curb for the same reason. The car will drift into the curb and not out into traffic.
The only time I ever have my wheels straight is when I am parked in a parking lot. I pull into the space straight and back out of it straight so it does not matter how the wheels are positioned. It just makes it easier and faster if they are straight in this circumstance.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
27 May 12
@mentalward: If you are parked on an incline, you should ALWAYS set the wheels towards the curb, regardless of whether you are facing uphill or downhill. If the brakes fail and the car rolls - whether backward or forward, it will then roll INTO the kerb. Think about it! This is standard advice and can be found in nearly all driver's handbooks and car user manuals.
@ hsofyan: You are completely wrong. The wheels do NOT have to be straight when parking. It causes NO wear to have them set at an angle (towards the kerb, if on an incline, as recommended). I am afraid that you are talking through your hat!
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
27 May 12
You are partially correct, owlwings. I just looked at the Virginia State Driver's Manual online (http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv39.pdf). It says exactly what I stated when parking at a curb; downhill should be toward the curb but uphill should be away from the curb. But, when parking where there is no curb, you should always set the wheels away from the road (toward the right). So, we're both wrong and we're both right. 
1 person likes this
@hsofyan (3446)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
27 May 12
Hi mentalward,
If parking on the street is uphill or down, then in addition to using the hand brake, transmission gear position 1. For automatic transmission cars, the position "P" has locking wheels. If you are still unsure, you can block the wheels.
The position of the wheels are straight when parking, not just for the sake of convenience, but rather to take care of spareparts (please read my comment above).
Happy parking...
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 May 12
Hello
I turn the position of the wheels to face the curb when I park. In this way, if the vehicle should shift out of gear and roll, it will stop at the curb.
How do you position the wheels when parking?
1 person likes this
@hsofyan (3446)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
27 May 12
The position of the wheels straight ahead, do not turn. The steering wheel right in the middle position.
The position of the wheels turning when parking, it may cause damage and leaks in the wheel house. This is due to the oil pressure can cause the steering wheel as the temperature changes that can make a quick rubber components brittle, so that dirt or water can enter and damage the power steering device.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
27 May 12
This is complete rubbish, hsofyan. Far more wear and damage is caused by driving the car than in setting the wheels toward the kerb when parking. Of course, if you are going to leave the car parked for several months in a climate which has extremes of temperature, you would certainly be wise to check for rubber perishing and lubrication loss but that is quite another matter and the position of the wheels has NO bearing whatsoever!
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