How to Park on a Hill
Parking spaces seem to be located at the worst possible places, and it’s always a challenge to find the perfect spot to park a car. Some drivers may be reluctant to park their cars on a hill, but sometimes you’re left with no other choice but to park your car on a hill or a steep slope. Here’s how you can park your car on a hill in the safest possible way.
Procedure
Hills are dangerous places to park vehicles in. Before settling on a parking space built on a steep slope, drive around the area to look for a parking space on flat, level ground. If you can’t find a parking location other than one located in a hill, then you need to take these steps to park your car safely and securely.
Park your car as you normally would on a flat, level parking space. If you drive an automatic transmission car, set the gear to “Park.” If you drive a car with manual transmission, set the gear to the neutral setting.
As soon as you have parked the vehicle, turn the wheels towards the curb or the sidewalk. Just in case the car slips, the wheels will move towards the curb, and stop your car flat. The added traction from a wider section of the tire coming into contact with the road also prevents slipping.
Engage the parking brake, and secure the gear stick and steering wheel.
Check around the car to see if any of the wheels slip, or if the tires grip the road surface properly.
Using a Stop
Sometimes you need to use a stop (like a rock or a brick) to keep your car from slipping on a slope, especially if you’re parking in hilly areas without a curb. Stops are also useful if your brakes are a bit worn. Stops are usually placed on the side of the vehicle that faces downhill. You should still turn the wheels sideways to ensure contact with the road surface.
To prevent your car from slipping and causing damage to people and property, you should always make sure your brakes are in good condition when parking on a hill or a slope.