Is There Harm in Not Straightening the Steering Wheel When Parking?
3 Answers
Not straightening the steering wheel when parking can cause harm. If the steering wheel is not straightened, the vehicle's steering mechanism, tires, and suspension struts remain under continuous stress. Over time, this can accelerate the aging or deformation of these parts, leading to vehicle misalignment and uneven tire wear. After the car is fully stopped, you can feel whether the steering wheel is straightened. If unsure, you can shift into P or D gear and let the car move slightly to check if the wheel is straightened. Drivers can also determine if the steering wheel is straightened by counting the number of turns. A full lock is one and a half turns. If the steering wheel is straight but the wheels are misaligned, it means the steering is at one turn. With practice, you can easily remember which way the steering was turned when parking.
Leaving the steering wheel turned when parked is no small matter—my car suffered from this. Over time, the steering system takes a beating: the tie rods stay under constant tension, the suspension bears uneven loads, and the chassis bushings wear out much faster. The tires also show obvious uneven wear—once, when changing tires, I noticed the inner tread was nearly bald. Now, I always straighten the wheel before shutting off the engine. Such a small habit can save thousands in repair costs.
Speaking of parking with the steering wheel turned, I recall a lesson from my neighbor uncle. He always found it troublesome to straighten the steering wheel, and as a result, he wore out two tires in just six months. The key issue is that a car parked with the wheels turned looks like it's sleeping with its mouth open. Not only does water accumulate in the wheel arches during rainy days, but the springs and shock absorbers also suffer unnecessary strain. What's even more troublesome is that when starting the car again, the sudden misalignment of the wheels can easily cause the car to scrape against nearby vehicles. Now, after reversing into a parking spot, I always make sure the steering wheel is straight before locking the car.
