Does parking with the steering wheel not straightened have any impact?
4 Answers
Parking with the steering wheel not straightened does have an impact. When the steering wheel is not straightened while parking, it can affect the tires, steering system, and suspension system to some extent. During parking, the sidewalls of the tires bear the most pressure, which can lead to aging and deformation of the tire sidewalls. If the steering wheel is not straightened, the wheels will pull the tie rods, preventing them from returning to their original position. Over time, this can accelerate the aging or deformation of the steering system and also affect the steering and suspension systems. To determine if the steering wheel is straightened while parking, you can refer to the number of turns of the steering wheel. While moving the vehicle, turn the steering wheel and remember the number of turns from the fully locked position to the center position. Turning it back to the center position will straighten the steering wheel. For most family cars, the steering wheel turns one and a half turns from the center to the fully locked position left or right, though some models may require more turns.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have seen many car owners not straighten their steering wheels when parking. Over time, this causes uneven tire wear, with one side thicker than the other. Especially when parked on a slope, the vehicle's weight presses on one side, which can lead to deformation or loosening of the tie rods and suspension system under prolonged pressure. Just the other day, I helped a friend check his old car, and this was exactly the issue—the left front tire was almost worn out, costing nearly two thousand to fix. I recommend always straightening the steering wheel when parking. Developing this good habit will significantly improve your car's condition and extend tire life. If you forget in a hurry while parking roadside, check the tire pressure and steering system before your next drive to avoid potential hazards.
From a safety perspective, I've always felt that parking with the steering wheel not straightened is quite dangerous. For example, if you park on a roadside slope without aligning the wheels straight, the car might start moving in a skewed direction when you drive off, easily scraping against nearby objects or pedestrians, which is even more alarming at intersections. I once saw an accident scene where the driver forgot to straighten the wheels and lost control when hastily starting the car. It's advisable to develop the habit of checking the steering wheel position after parking—it only takes two seconds but can prevent subsequent troubles. Additionally, prolonged uneven stress on tires and steering components accelerates wear, especially requiring extra caution during slippery winter roads.
I used to be lazy and often forgot to straighten the steering wheel when parking. As a result, after half a year, the right front tire wore out unusually fast. Once on the highway, the tire noise was extremely loud, and upon inspection, I found it was deformed. I had to replace it immediately, costing me several hundred dollars unnecessarily. Since then, I remind myself not to cut corners every time I park—straightening the steering wheel is just an extra turn of the wheel. Vehicle components are under constant stress, and over time, the suspension can also develop issues. Now that I've formed the habit, my car has become more durable and drives much more steadily.
