Why Should the Steering Wheel Be Straightened When Parking?

[OJohnny]

When the steering wheel is not straightened after parking, the tie rod will be pulled by the wheels and unable to return to its original position. In this case, the steering wheel's gear and the tie rod's rack are under force, which over time will accelerate the aging or deformation of the car's tie rod. Here is some related knowledge about steering wheel usage: 1. Situations where the steering wheel should not be straightened: Generally, after parking on a slope, you can turn the steering wheel slightly to one side without straightening it, which can prevent the car from sliding downhill. 2. Techniques for straightening the steering wheel: Counting turns, observing the car emblem, and checking the driving path are all methods to determine whether the steering wheel is straightened.

[OAlana]

Last time when I got my car repaired, the mechanic told me that not straightening the steering wheel is particularly harmful to the car. When the wheels are misaligned, the tie rods remain under constant tension, which can lead to deformation of the parts over time, causing the car to drift while driving. The rubber bushings in the suspension are also stretched hard, accelerating their aging. The tires suffer even more, as uneven force distribution can easily cause bald spots. Once, I forgot to straighten the steering wheel, and the next day when I started the car, the steering wheel was so stiff it wouldn't turn. I ended up spending several hundred dollars to replace the steering column. Now, after parking, I instinctively check if the steering wheel is straight—it's become muscle memory, just like pulling the door handle to check if it's locked.

[SanGabriela]

I remember my driving instructor yelling the loudest about this. Parking with the wheels turned for a long time is like standing with your neck crooked all the time—it's bound to be uncomfortable. There are a bunch of precision components in the steering system. If the springs are kept compressed, they can deform, and the hydraulic power steering pump will keep straining with a buzzing sound. It's even more dangerous on rainy days. If the wheels are pressed against the curb on a slope and the handbrake is worn out, the car could suddenly lurch forward. A neighbor's car once slid into the greenbelt like that—luckily, no one was hit. So, before getting out of the car, I always straighten the wheels and then close the door.

[EmeryDella]

I've been repairing cars for ten years and have seen too many problems caused by not straightening the steering wheel. The most common issue is the rupture of the oil seal inside the steering gear, with hydraulic fluid leaking all over the place. Leaving the wheels crooked is equivalent to having the drive shaft stuck while in Park, with the transmission gears grinding and shaking all night. Once, when I disassembled an Audi, the suspension links were bent by 15 degrees. Older cars require even more caution, as the electronic power steering system can't handle the pressure buildup in such a state. Last winter, I had an emergency case where a BMW owner didn't straighten the steering wheel, resulting in a burnt-out steering module—towing and repairs cost over 8,000 yuan.