Uphill & Downhill Parking Directions
by Julia Drake
If you are an experienced or a first-time driver, it is important to know the rules of the road, which include different situations for parking your car. Along with learning how to parallel and perpendicular park, you should have practice with uphill and downhill parking. Parking on a hill involves additional driving maneuvers, as well as certain safety rules and tips.
Downhill Parking
Step 1
Locate a low-traffic, hilly street to practice uphill and downhill parking.
Step 2
Stop your car parallel to the edge of the road. Use your passenger-side mirror to gauge the distance and stop about six inches from the curb.
Step 3
Put your gear level in "neutral" and quickly turn your steering wheel clockwise.
Step 4
Let your car roll forward until the front right wheel gently bumps against the curb. Your car should remain straight alongside the curb with only the front wheels turned at an angle. By turning the wheels to the curb, you are preventing your car from heading into oncoming traffic if your breaks suddenly give out.
Step 5
Put your gear level in "park" and put on your emergency parking break.
Uphill Parking
Step 1
Stop your car parallel to the curb. Use your passenger-side mirror to determine that you are about six inches from the curb.
Step 2
Put your car in "neutral" and turn your steering wheel counterclockwise, or away from the curb.
Step 3
Let your car roll back until the front right wheel bumps gently against the curb. Your car should remain straight alongside the curb with only the front wheels turned at an angle. By turning the front wheels away from the curb, your car is protected from sliding downhill.
Step 4
Put your gear level in "park" and put on your emergency parking break.
Tips
- If you are parking uphill or downhill without a curb, turn your steering wheel clockwise to turn your wheels in the direction of the side of road.
- If you are parking uphill or downhill in a hilly parking lot with cars parked on your left and right, pull in straight into your parking spot, put your car in "park" and put on the emergency parking break.
Writer Bio
Julia Drake has been writing since 2007 when she had her first article published in “The Beltane Papers.” She received her Bachelor of Arts in women studies from the University of Washington. She recently completed her Master of Arts in women’s spirituality at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology.
