How to Park on a Hill

Here's How to Park On a Hill

Parking on a hill is pretty straightforward.  However, if you don't get it right, the results can be catastrophic.  Brakes can fail and cars can roll.  And, many drivers have learned this the hard way. If you want to keep your vehicle safe, just follow the tips outlined below.

• Using Your Parking Brake
• How to Position Your Wheels
• What About Manual vs Automatic?
• Parking in Gear: 1st Gear vs Reverse
• How to Park When Facing Uphill
• How to Park When Facing Downhill
• Avoid These Mistakes When Parking On a Hill?

Read on for more...

The Importance of Parking Safely On a Hill

Parking on hills is a key safety consideration for all drivers. At some stage, you are going to have to park on a hill. And if you live in an area with lots of hills, it could be a daily occurrence. Failing to secure your vehicle on an incline can have serious consequences.

If the vehicle is not parked securely, it can roll away from its parking spot.  This means it rolls down the hill in an uncontrollable manner. When this happens it will strike anything that comes into its path – other vehicles, cyclists, and even pedestrians. This results in serious legal consequences and financial loss. A situation you want to avoid.  Here's how.

1: Using Your Parking Brake

Your parking brake is your first and most important tool when parking on a hill.  This is the first and most critical line of defense in preventing a vehicle from rolling on an incline. Once you have reached your parking space and come to a complete stop, engage the parking brake.
For a manual car, this is usually a hand brake.  

Press the button on the top of the lever and pull it up as far as you can before releasing the button.  The brake is now engaged. If your car comes with an electronic parking brake, just press the button. An LED light usually lights up to indicate it has been engaged correctly.

And, if you're driving an automatic vehicle - shift the car from 'D' (Drive) into 'P' (Park).  This engages the parking brake and locks the transmission. You can now take your foot off the brake pedal. Next, you need to position your wheels correctly.

2: How to Position Your Wheels

You can further secure your car by positioning your wheels correctly.  This is a great habit to get into. And it helps prevent your vehicle from rolling, even if the parking brake fails. And, parking brakes do fail. So, you have been warned.

Parking Uphill

If you are facing uphill, you should turn your wheels away from the kerb.  This means, if the parking brake fails, the car will roll backward and prop itself up against the kerb and remain stationary.

Parking Downhill

If you are facing downhill, you should turn your wheels towards the kerb.  This means, that if the parking brake fails, the car will roll forward and prop itself up against the kerb and remain stationary.

Parking with No Kerb

This is not an ideal situation. But the general advice is to turn your wheels towards the side of the road. If the parking brake fails, your vehicle will roll to the side of the road and avoid oncoming traffic.

3: What About Manual vs Automatic?

The key difference between a manual and an automatic car when parking on a hill is the use of a parking brake in a manual car and the ability to use gears to help secure it in place, more on this below.  
In a manual car, you must use the parking brake when parking on a hill.

These cars do not have a P (Park) position to lock the transmission, like an automatic. Instead, you need to use the parking brake.  And, you can add an additional layer of security by parking the car in gear.  

An automatic vehicle is much simpler. All you have to do is switch the transmission from 'D' (Drive) to 'P' (Park).  This locks the car in place and applies a brake. Some automatic cars have an additional brake that can be engaged when parked. For example, many automatic Mercedes cars have a foot pedal-engaged parking brake instead of a hand brake.

4: Parking in Gear: 1st Gear vs Reverse

Did you know you should use your gears when parking a manual car on a hill?   It's true. By choosing the correct gear you can add an additional layer of role resistance. The gear you choose to park in will depend on whether you park facing uphill or downhill. This technique does not apply to automatic vehicles.

Facing Uphill

If you're facing uphill, park the car in first gear.

Facing Downhill

If you're facing downhill, park the car in first reverse.

5: How to Park When Facing Uphill

Here's a summary of how you should park when facing uphill – to maximise safety and prevent your vehicle from rolling away.

Bring the Car to a Stop

First up, position your vehicle in a parking spot and bring the car to a complete stop.

Position the Wheels

Once the car is stopped and in position, turn the wheels away from the kerb. If there’s no kerb, turn them toward the side of the road.

Engage the Parking Brake

If you're driving a manual car, pull up the handbrake. If it's an automatic, switch from 'D' (Drive) to 'P' (Park). Many automatic cars also have a parking brake that can be engaged.  This could be an electronic switch or foot pedal locking brake.

Park in First Gear

If you are parking a manual transmission vehicle, put it in first gear.  This will help hold the vehicle in place if the parking brake fails.

6: How to Park When Facing Downhill

And, Here's how to park safely when you're facing downhill – to maximise safety and prevent your vehicle from rolling down the incline.

Bring the Car to a Stop

First up, position your vehicle in a parking spot and slowly bring the car to a complete stop.

Position the Wheels

Once the car is in position, turn the wheels towards the kerb. If there’s no kerb, turn them toward the side of the road.

Engage the Parking Brake

If you're driving a manual car, pull up the handbrake. If it's an automatic, switch from 'D' (Drive) to 'P' (Park). Many automatic cars also have a parking brake that can be engaged.  This could be an electronic switch or foot pedal locking brake.

Park in Reverse Gear

If you are parking a manual transmission vehicle, put it in reverse gear.  This will help hold the vehicle in place if the parking brake fails.

7: Avoid These Mistakes When Parking On a Hill?

What about frequent mistakes? What are the most common mistakes people make when parking on a hill?

Leaving the Car in Neutral

The most common mistake made when parking a car on a hill is – leaving the car in neutral.  This means the vehicle is not in gear in a manual car. If the parking brake fails, the car will roll.

Leaving your vehicle in neutral eliminates any mechanical resistance to rolling. Always park a manual car in gear when on a hill. If facing uphill park in first, and if facing downhill park in reverse.

Not Turning Your Wheels

Another common mistake is failing to turn the wheels correctly. In some cities, this is an offense when parking on a hill. If you are facing uphill you should turn your wheels away from the kerb. And, if you are facing downhill, you should turn your wheels towards the kerb.

Forgetting to Engage Your Parking Brake

Another common error made when parking on a hill is – forgetting to engage your parking brake. Your parking brake is the most important safety feature you can use when parking on a hill. It is your first and most critical line of defense. Always use a parking brake when parking a vehicle on a hill.