Parking on a steep driveway?

[Qacer]

I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to cars. Is there a recommended way to park a car if you're on a steep driveway? Steep would mean that the ground level at the garage is higher than the ground level of the road.

I was told that I should park the car with the front facing the road, and that it was bad to park it with the back facing the road. Any truth to this?

Thanks!

 

[Cadop]

I don't think that matters as much as having your wheels turned all the way to the side. Like when you park on the street on a large hill. you always turn your wheels towards the curb.

 

[Brainonska511]

Make sure you also set the parking brake.

 

[freebee]

The car doesn't know or care which way the slope is. I hope you aren't one of those people that hug their cars before going to sleep.

Parking with the front facing the road is something you should do anyway, (no to get into the whole "back in" parking spot issue) as it allows a safer exit. Set the parking brake and its fine. The only case where parking facing a downslope is a no-no is on a motorcycle which has no reverse gear. In that case, you always pull upslope, nose first to park.

 

[Umberger]

direction doesn't matter... but turn the wheels to one side, and let the car rock back on the parking brake before you put it in park... basically, i put the parking brake on, put it in neutral, take my foot off the brake and let the car rock back and stop, and then put it in park. that way, you don't have a lot of load on the transmission interlock when you try to take it out of park next time. (i assumed that you had an automatic, obviously)

 

[zixxer]

Actually for many cars the parking brake tends to work better if the front of the car is facing downhill.

EDIT:

also, if it is REALLY steep lock your wheel one way or the other - also as umberger said, apply parking brake first so you aren't stressing the tranny

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: zixxer
Actually for many cars the parking brake tends to work better if the front of the car is facing downhill.

a true statement, since the brakes are designed to be effective when traveling forward. however, unless you're on a ridiculously steep hill, it shouldn't make any material amount of difference.

 

[Mattyb710]

It has more to do with all the fluids flowing towards the back end rather than towards the front end than it does with the car knowing which way it parks. And yes, parking with the front of the car pointing downhill is better for the car.

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: Mattyb710
It has more to do with all the fluids flowing towards the back end rather than towards the front end than it does with the car knowing which way it parks. And yes, parking with the front of the car pointing downhill is better for the car.

....the only fluid i could possibly see this being an issue with is oil... and your oil pan should be shaped such that it doesn't make a difference.

(dry sump FTW!)

 

[andy04]

I remember reading in the Driver's License book that the key factor in parking on a steep slope was to keep the week turned all the way towards the curb...

 

[Qacer]

Originally posted by: freebee
The car doesn't know or care which way the slope is. I hope you aren't one of those people that hug their cars before going to sleep.

I don't wash my car every week either. Actually, I was told that if I park the car with the back facing the road, then its transmission will be ruined.

 

[Qacer]

Originally posted by: Umberger
direction doesn't matter... but turn the wheels to one side, and let the car rock back on the parking brake before you put it in park... basically, i put the parking brake on, put it in neutral, take my foot off the brake and let the car rock back and stop, and then put it in park. that way, you don't have a lot of load on the transmission interlock when you try to take it out of park next time. (i assumed that you had an automatic, obviously)

Yes, I drive an automatic. I always put the parking brake on whenever I park. However, not in the order that you suggested. I'm going to try doing that.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Umberger
direction doesn't matter... but turn the wheels to one side, and let the car rock back on the parking brake before you put it in park... basically, i put the parking brake on, put it in neutral, take my foot off the brake and let the car rock back and stop, and then put it in park. that way, you don't have a lot of load on the transmission interlock when you try to take it out of park next time. (i assumed that you had an automatic, obviously)

I usually leave my foot on the brake, put it in park, and engage the parking brake, before I take my foot off of the brake. I have shifted to neutral and left the parking brake on several times before, though, and my car has never moved *at all*. Does it really make that big of a difference?

 

[Umberger]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Umberger
direction doesn't matter... but turn the wheels to one side, and let the car rock back on the parking brake before you put it in park... basically, i put the parking brake on, put it in neutral, take my foot off the brake and let the car rock back and stop, and then put it in park. that way, you don't have a lot of load on the transmission interlock when you try to take it out of park next time. (i assumed that you had an automatic, obviously)

I usually leave my foot on the brake, put it in park, and engage the parking brake, before I take my foot off of the brake. I have shifted to neutral and left the parking brake on several times before, though, and my car has never moved *at all*. Does it really make that big of a difference?

I don't know about your case, but my car moves an inch or 2. it's enough that it loads up the transmission if i do it in the other order. plus, i get in the habit of doing it, so in reality, i put it in neutral and put on the parking break as i'm coasting into the parking spot, and put it in park after i come to a stop. it doesn't really take any extra time when i do it that way.

:beer: