Which way to turn the steering wheel when parking downhill?

[VanMalia]

When parking downhill, turn the steering wheel to the right, and you need to press the clutch. For slope parking, press the brake first and then the clutch. Here is some relevant information: 1. If you press the clutch first: the car will be in neutral, losing engine control, and may roll backward. Therefore, for slope parking, you must press the brake first and then the clutch. 2. The higher the speed, the greater the inertia: if you press the clutch first, the car's inertia will be greater, leading to the danger of coasting in neutral. Thus, you must press the brake first to reduce the speed. When stopping at a red light, press the clutch first and then the brake. The lower the speed, the greater the friction resistance between the tires and the ground. Pressing the brake first at this time can easily cause the vehicle to stall. Therefore, when encountering a red light, you should press the clutch first and then the brake.

[OKaden]

A veteran driver with twenty years of experience tells you: When parking downhill, you must turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Because when the wheels are turned toward the roadside, the front wheels will get stuck against the curb, forming a natural barrier—even if the handbrake fails, the car won't roll straight downhill. I've seen many runaway vehicle accidents while driving freight on mountain roads, all because the wheels weren't turned. The parking sequence is crucial: First, brake to a complete stop, pull the handbrake tight, then turn the steering wheel fully to the right. For automatic transmissions, shift into P; for manual transmissions, it's best to shift into reverse to increase resistance. Before releasing the brake, gently rock the car to confirm the wheels are firmly against the curb for safety. On steep slopes, placing a stone behind the wheels adds extra security.

[MacIsabelle]

Physical explanation of downhill parking direction: The vehicle's gravity generates a downhill component along the slope. Turn the steering wheel toward the outer side of the slope (right turn if driving on the right), allowing the front wheels to press against the curb. When the vehicle slides, the tires will collide with the curb, creating opposing friction, which increases resistance by at least three times compared to parallel parking. It is recommended to combine this with the handbrake and gear engagement for triple protection. Tests show that on a 15-degree slope, a vehicle with turned wheels slides no more than 10 cm, whereas without turning, it can slide over 2 meters. Note that the operation should be reversed in countries with opposite road directions, such as turning left in the UK.

[MiaMarie]

Driving instructor emphasizes safe operation: turn the steering wheel fully to the right when parking downhill. Beginners often make two mistakes: either forgetting to turn the wheel or turning it in the wrong direction. The correct action is to quickly rotate the steering wheel to the right to its limit after the car comes to a complete stop, observing that the angle between the front wheels and the curb should be about 30 degrees for maximum effectiveness. Combine this with pulling the handbrake all the way up and shifting the automatic transmission to P. A key detail is ensuring the wheels are firmly pressed against the curb, and on muddy terrain, they should be embedded deeper. Check the tire sidewalls weekly; severe wear reduces grip, so replace them in advance.