When you park facing downhill, how should you orient your wheels?

When you park facing downhill, how should you orient your wheels?

• A. Turn your wheels away from the curb
• B. Turn your wheels towards the curb
• C. Leave your wheels straight
• D. Put the car in park

Answer: (B)

When parking downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb. This placement lets the curb act as a barrier if the brakes fail, so the car’s front tire catches on the curb and holds the vehicle in place rather than rolling into traffic. Leaving the wheels straight offers less protection, and turning away from the curb could allow the car to roll into the street. Simply putting the car in park isn’t enough on a slope because a brake or transmission issue could still let the car move.

When parking downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb. This placement lets the curb act as a barrier if the brakes fail, so the car’s front tire catches on the curb and holds the vehicle in place rather than rolling into traffic. Leaving the wheels straight offers less protection, and turning away from the curb could allow the car to roll into the street. Simply putting the car in park isn’t enough on a slope because a brake or transmission issue could still let the car move.