Hill Parking

[DaBigE]

Lately, I've been surprised at how few people park on a hill with their wheels turned. The procedure is still printed in some drivers' handbooks (at least it's still in Wisconsin's--page 28 if you're curious). I've seen a few recalls over the past several years for the potential of the parking pawl to fail, which makes me more leery of not turning my wheels.

Do people really trust their parking gear that much?   I realize that if you have your parking gear and your brakes set, you already have one redundancy, however extra insurance never hurt (especially one that seems fairly quick and easy).

[jakeroot]

I rarely turn my wheels, but almost always set my parking brake. I trust my car.

[signalman]

I will turn my wheels as well as having my car in reverse (I drive a manual and reverse is the lowest gear) and pull up the parking brake.  I will only park on a hill when it is absolutely necessary.  If parking on flatter ground is available, I will opt to park there.  Even if it means having to walk to/from my destination a bit further.

[jeffandnicole]

It's not only to protect you in case your parking brake fails, it's also to protect you if your car gets hit.  A light tap when the wheels are straight could push you into the next vehicle.  Having the tires pointed *the correct direction* into the curb can prevent that.

Same thing when it comes to turning on a street.  You're not supposed to turn the wheels while waiting to turn.  Again, it's not because your brakes may suddenly fail and you start turning unassisted; it's to allow the car to go straight in case you get tapped from behind, rather than the car getting pushed into the opposing lane.

[1995hoo]

I didn't select an answer because none apply. I do curb my wheels, but it wasn't taught in driver's ed. It was in the DMV book, but it was never mentioned at all in driver's ed. So I'm not doing "what I was taught." Part of what caused me to pick up the habit was that DC cops were giving tickets a few years ago to people who didn't curb their wheels, I knew someone who got such a ticket, and I didn't want to get a ticket for such a simple matter.

We have three manual-shift cars, so there is no "putting it in Park" and I set the handbrake every time I park anywhere, regardless of whether it's a hill. In our '88 RX-7, curbing the wheels is a precaution in part because I don't necessarily trust the handbrake to hold the car.

My wife hates it that I curb the wheels because she doesn't do it and for some reasons she seems unable to get used to the idea that her wheels will be turned if I were the last person to drive her car. I WISH she would curb them when she parks because it feels to me like she doesn't pull the handbrake all the way up (although, to be fair, the car has never rolled anywhere when she's parked it).

[Brian556]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of automatic drivers don't even use the parking brake.

I habitually use the parking brake even on flat surfaces.

I decided to make this standard practice to avoid forgetting to set it on hills.

[1995hoo]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of automatic drivers don't even use the parking brake.

....

Based on my observations from glancing inside other parked cars or from riding with people who drive automatics, I'm guessing you're probably correct.

[DaBigE]

I didn't select an answer because none apply. I do curb my wheels, but it wasn't taught in driver's ed.

Fixed.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of automatic drivers don't even use the parking brake.

....

Based on my observations from glancing inside other parked cars or from riding with people who drive automatics, I'm guessing you're probably correct.

I concur with that observation. Just about everyone that rides in my car the first time asks me why I set the parking brake even though I drive an automatic. Not only is it extra insurance even when parked on a level surface, in many cars (mainly those with rear drum brakes), it also resets the rear brake pads when you use it. Regular use also helps ensure it will work when you need it, instead of being frozen/rusted in place.

[jakeroot]

Does anyone use an electric parking brake when they are on a hill? Or does no one here have a car with an electric parking brake? I got the feeling from the "cars owned" thread that we mainly own old cars.

[Roadrunner75]

I use the parking brake on my automatic, and I would curb my wheels if there were actual hills in South Jersey.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the NFL to watch my team continue to get crushed by the Jags and my fantasy season get destroyed as well.

[cpzilliacus]

I turn the wheels and put the (manual) transmission in first gear, which means the truck is unlikely to be moving.,

[Brandon]

Does anyone use an electric parking brake when they are on a hill? Or does no one here have a car with an electric parking brake? I got the feeling from the "cars owned" thread that we mainly own old cars.

What's an electric parking brake?  Every one I've seen (even on my 2011) is a cable.

[jakeroot]

Does anyone use an electric parking brake when they are on a hill? Or does no one here have a car with an electric parking brake? I got the feeling from the "cars owned" thread that we mainly own old cars.

What's an electric parking brake?  Every one I've seen (even on my 2011) is a cable.

[Pete from Boston]

"...more comfort and convenience, thanks to various functions."

What more do you need to know?

[signalman]

Does anyone use an electric parking brake when they are on a hill? Or does no one here have a car with an electric parking brake? I got the feeling from the "cars owned" thread that we mainly own old cars.

What's an electric parking brake?  Every one I've seen (even on my 2011) is a cable.

Electronic parking brake, especially from VW; a manufacturer with a known history of electrical nightmares.  :Shudders: No, thank you.

[vdeane]

So basically the car is never off.  What happens if the battery dies or something happens like an EMP?

I don't really need to think about hill parking since I avoid curbside parking wherever I can anyways (I'm not good at parallel parking, though I've never tried it with the backup camera, plus it's often metered, and I'm opposed to any system that requires me to guess how long I'll be parked and eat the cost of any overestimation).  When I do park, it's first gear with the parking brake.

[briantroutman]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of automatic drivers don't even use the parking brake.

From my observations, most drivers of automatics only use P-R-D and can't seem to figure out what the other letters and numbers mean.

For that matter, most drivers of automatics would rather replace all of those annoying dials, levers, and controls with one big button that says "THERE" . So when they want to go "there" , they press "THERE" . And then they can get back to texting and selfies.

[corco]

In a manual, I put the parking brake on and leave the car in gear no matter what, curbing if it's a really steep hill.

Automatic, if it's a gentle incline I just put it in park. If it's a noticeable incline, I put the parking brake on. If it's steep, I'll also curb. That said, it's really very, very rare that I park on hills. Off the top of my head I can only think of one or two times I've done it in the last year.

As far as using an automatic...in an automatic if I have to get out of the car real quick and run in, I typically put it in neutral and turn the parking brake on instead of putting it in park. The reason for that isn't a very good one- I can do that while I come to a full and complete stop, where if I put it in park I'd have to come to a full and complete stop before I can shift into park. If I'm in a hurry, I want that saved half second.  I also do neutral/parking brake in drive through lines. Just feels more natural and easier on the transmission than shifting back and forth into park, but the latter might not be true.

[Laura]

My wife hates it that I curb the wheels because she doesn't do it and for some reasons she seems unable to get used to the idea that her wheels will be turned if I were the last person to drive her car. I WISH she would curb them when she parks because it feels to me like she doesn't pull the handbrake all the way up (although, to be fair, the car has never rolled anywhere when she's parked it).

Like your wife, I always straighten out the wheels of my car before I get out and prefer others do the same. That way, I always know the wheels are straight when I get into the car so I don't have to think about which way to turn the wheel.

However, I always use the parking break in my automatic car. I hate how automatic cars drift after you put them in park, so I use the parking break to avoid that.


iPhone

[US81]

Reverse - occ first gear, but usually reverse - and parking brake, plus turning the wheels appropriately if the hill is steep enough. Yes, I prefer for the wheels to be straight when parked on a level surface, but on a hill - safety first.

[NJRoadfan]

My car has an electronic parking brake. Its a servo controlled piston in the rear brake calipers. If you are older or otherwise have limited arm strength, its a very nice feature to have. Some cars, like the VW above, have hill hold assist in their manual transmission cars to eliminate roll back. It'll apply the parking brake on a hill, and release it automatically when you start moving again.

[jeffandnicole]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of automatic drivers don't even use the parking brake.

....

Based on my observations from glancing inside other parked cars or from riding with people who drive automatics, I'm guessing you're probably correct.

I've probably used mine fewer than a half-dozen times.  And I can pretty much guarantee that when I do use it, I forget about it and start hitting the gas to drive away.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the NFL to watch my team continue to get crushed by the Jags and my fantasy season get destroyed as well.

Clearly a comment that was made before the 3rd quarter! :-)

[citrus]

If you don't curb your wheels in San Francisco, you'll get a ticket. I've got a manual transmission and instinctively curb my wheels even when there is only a slight slope... the threshold is technically 3% here.

[Pete from Boston]

So basically the car is never off.  What happens if the battery dies or something happens like an EMP?

I drive an 18-year-old truck with manual windows, locks, and transmission, but which still has a computer in it.  Am I going to be able to drive after an EMP?

[Roadrunner75]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the NFL to watch my team continue to get crushed by the Jags and my fantasy season get destroyed as well.

Clearly a comment that was made before the 3rd quarter! :-)

Indeed.  And I was playing Foles and Maclin in my fantasy league too, so I was not having a good first half.