How To Park On A Hill: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Park on a Hill PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli

Last Updated: November 11, 2025

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  • Parking an Automatic
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  • Parking a Manual Transmission
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This article was co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli. Ibrahim Onerli is a Driving Instructor and the Manager of Revolution Driving School in New York City. His mission is to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving instructors. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving. This article has been viewed 500,504 times.

When you park a car on a steep hill, gravity works against you. If you don't take the proper precautions, the vehicle could roll downhill, could damage property and potentially hurt or even kill people. First and foremost, be sure to engage the handbrake and turn the wheels in the correct direction. If you are driving a manual transmission, make sure that you also leave the first or reverse gear. Turn the wheels toward the curb, when parking downhill, and away from the curb when parking uphill.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Parking an Automatic

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  1. Step 1 Park your car parallel to the curb. 1 Park your car parallel to the curb. If you are parking facing uphill, make sure to leave a full car's length of space behind your vehicle so that you can back into the curb. If you are parking on a downhill incline, you will need to leave a full car's length of space in front of your car so that the wheels can roll forward into position.
  2. Step 2 Turn the wheels toward the curb. 2 Turn the wheels toward the curb. Face your wheels away from the curb if you are parking uphill. Turn them facing towards the curb if you are parking downhill. Press your foot on the brake, put the car in neutral, and turn your steering wheel one full turn in the proper direction. [1]
    • If there is no curb, then turn your front wheels toward the edge of the road regardless of whether you're parking up or down. This way, your car will roll into the dirt or grass beside the road, and not into the path of oncoming traffic.
    • Avoid "dry steering" – turning your wheels while the vehicle is completely stopped. This puts pressure on the tires and the power steering system.[2]
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  3. Step 3 Roll the car into the curb. 3 Roll the car into the curb. When you are ready, take your foot off the brake. Let the car roll slowly downhill until you feel your turned front tire touch the curb. Hit the brake and put the car in park.
    • Make sure that there are no other cars coming up or down the hill behind you. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder.
  4. Step 4 Leave the car. 4 Leave the car. Make sure that the car is in parking gear. Engage the handbrake before leaving the car.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Parking a Manual Transmission

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  1. Step 1 Park your car parallel to the curb. 1 Park your car parallel to the curb. Your passenger-side front tire should be gently touching the curb, and your passenger-side rear tire should be no more than six inches from the curb.[3]
    • If you are parking uphill, make sure to leave a full car's length of space behind your vehicle. You will need this space to back into the curb.
    • If you are parking on a downhill incline, be sure to leave a full car's length of space in front of your car so that the wheels can roll forward into position.
  2. Step 2 Turn the tires toward the curb. 2 Turn the tires toward the curb. Face your tires away from the curb if you are parking uphill. Twist them toward the curb if you are parking downhill. Press your foot on the brake, put the car in neutral, and turn your steering wheel one full turn in the proper direction.[4]
    • Avoid "dry steering" – turning your wheels while the vehicle is completely stopped. This is hard on the tires and the power steering system.
  3. Step 3 Roll the car into the curb. 3 Roll the car into the curb. First, put the car into neutral, but keep your foot on the brake. When you are ready, take your foot off the brake. Let the car roll slowly downhill until you feel your front tire touch the curb. Hit the foot-brake to stop the car.[5]
    • Make sure that there are no other cars coming up or down the hill behind you. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder.
  4. Step 4 Pull the handbrake. 4 Pull the handbrake. Then, shift the car into either first gear or reverse. Leave the vehicle in first gear if you are parking on an uphill incline, and leave it in reverse if you are parking on a downhill incline. This will help keep your car from rolling, as it sets your transmission in the opposite direction that the car would roll if your emergency brake fails.[6]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Which way do I turn my tires when parking uphill? Ibrahim Onerli Ibrahim Onerli Driving Instructor Ibrahim Onerli is a Driving Instructor and the Manager of Revolution Driving School in New York City. His mission is to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving instructors. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving. Ibrahim Onerli Ibrahim Onerli Driving Instructor Expert Answer You should turn your wheels away from the curb. This will keep the car from rolling out into traffic if the brakes fail. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question Does parking a manual transmission car on a hill cause damage to the transmission? Community Answer Community Answer Basically no - clutch in, engage first gear, hold the car with the brake on, apply the handbrake and let the clutch out. All should be okay if the handbrake works properly. If your handbrake isn't working, get it fixed. Relying on the transmission only to hold a car (both automatic and manual) can have adverse effects on the gear box and cause wear and tear. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 15
  • Question Should the brakes be fully depressed when selecting any of the P, N, D, R? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, the brakes should be depressed enough for the car to be stopped. On a downhill slope you may have to depress them more. On a steep uphill slope, you might have to depress them more to avoid rolling backwards. Unless you are shifting between different forward gears, always keep your foot on the brake when changing gears. If you shift from D to R while you are idling or moving, it could damage the transmission, especially if you are moving fast. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
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Tips

  • If the street on which you are parking does not have a curb, turn your wheels to the side of the road. It does not matter if you are parking on an uphill or downhill incline. If your emergency brake fails, this will increase the likelihood that your car rolls away from the street. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 5
  • Be sure to keep your car's brake maintenance current. Have the brakes checked each time you have your vehicle serviced. A fully-functional emergency brake can keep your car from rolling even on the steepest of hills. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3
  • Keep a set of wheel chocks in your car if you are uneasy about your car's ability to stay put on a steep incline. Wheel chocks are pieces of wood, rubber, or metal that are designed to wedge underneath a wheel to keep it from rolling. Wheel chocks are fairly inexpensive, and you can buy them at almost any auto parts retailer. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://drivinginstructorblog.com/how-to-park-uphill-no-curb/
  3. ↑ http://drivinginstructorblog.com/how-to-park-uphill-no-curb/
  4. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://driversed.com/driving-information/driving-techniques/parking-on-a-hill.aspx
  6. ↑ Ibrahim Onerli. Driving Instructor. Expert Interview

About This Article

Ibrahim Onerli Co-authored by: Ibrahim Onerli Driving Instructor This article was co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli. Ibrahim Onerli is a Driving Instructor and the Manager of Revolution Driving School in New York City. His mission is to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over eight driving instructors. He specializes in teaching defensive driving and stick shift driving. This article has been viewed 500,504 times. 44 votes - 71% Co-authors: 26 Updated: November 11, 2025 Views: 500,504 Categories: Parking Vehicles | Learning to Drive Article SummaryX

To park on a hill, start by pulling up to the space you want to park in so you're parallel with the curb. Then, turn your wheels away from the curb if you're parking uphill or toward the curb if you're parking downhill so your car doesn't roll into traffic if the brakes fail. Next, let your car roll downhill slightly until you feel the front tire touch the curb. Once the front tire is touching the curb, put your car in park and engage the emergency brake. To learn how to park a manual car on a hill, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Andrew B.

    Andrew B.

    Jul 13, 2017

    "I was always uncertain if you wanted front or rear wheels to touch the curb first. Article quickly answered that." Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ibrahim Onerli Co-authored by: Ibrahim Onerli Driving Instructor 44 votes - 71% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 26 Updated: November 11, 2025 Views: 500,504 Andrew B.

Andrew B.

Jul 13, 2017

"I was always uncertain if you wanted front or rear wheels to touch the curb first. Article quickly answered that." Rated this article: S. L.

S. L.

Jul 18, 2017

"Great descriptions. The only website that I found that actually told you to put the car in neutral. " Rated this article: O'yemi I.

O'yemi I.

Jul 11, 2018

"Very helpful article, I now know most things that no one is ready to teach me. Thanks a lot." Rated this article: Max Kringe

Max Kringe

Jul 14, 2021

"This article helps me a lot. Thanks!" Rated this article: Nathaniel Sanchez

Nathaniel Sanchez

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"This helped me with my test, thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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