Why Should the Steering Wheel Be Straightened After Parking?

[Rose]

Not straightening the steering wheel affects the kingpin inclination angle of the front wheels. When the steering wheel is turned to a certain angle, it actually lifts the car, causing the steering linkage to experience tension and pressure. If left in a fixed angle position for a long time, the linkage may deform. Below are some tips for straightening the steering wheel after parking: 1. Move the car forward and backward after parking. If you can't remember the number of steering wheel turns, moving the car can help determine if the steering wheel is straight. 2. Moving the car slightly forward or backward after parking can help check if the steering wheel is straight, allowing for timely adjustments while moving. 3. Check the tire direction. If conditions permit, you can stick your head out of the window to observe whether the tires are straight. Observing while driving makes it easier to straighten the steering wheel. 4. Look at the steering wheel emblem. Whether the steering wheel is turned halfway or fully, there's no need to worry about the exact degree when straightening—just ensure the emblem returns to the upward position.

[OLena]

I have personal experience with this. My eight-year-old car had its steering gear assembly replaced the year before last. The mechanic showed me the rack after disassembling it, and the gear wear on the stressed parts was particularly noticeable. He explained that if the steering wheel isn't straightened, the gears remain under constant meshing pressure, just like grinding your teeth while sleeping—your joints would definitely suffer. The springs in the suspension system were also deformed, and the repairman used a vernier caliper to show me the compression difference between the left and right shock absorbers. Now, I always make sure the tires are straightened before turning off the engine, and even the tire lifespan has improved—at least the tread wear is much more even now.

[DeLondyn]

Once, there was a debate in the car enthusiasts' group about this, so I specifically checked the repair manual and conducted experiments. The current vehicle anti-theft steering wheel lock mechanism requires the wheels to be straightened to lock the steering column. If parked with wheels turned, the lock won't engage, and a thief could easily pry it open with an iron rod. More surprisingly, the tire pressure monitoring data showed that after parking overnight with wheels turned, the right front tire's pressure dropped from 2.5 to 2.3, while the left front tire's pressure rose to 2.7, triggering a sensor alarm due to temperature differences. The most alarming issue was with the power steering hose. When the car was lifted by the repair shop's hoist, the built-up pressure caused the aged hose fitting to spray oil mist, nearly hitting the exhaust pipe.