Parking a car may seem like a simple task, but one small detail can make a difference to both safety and vehicle maintenance: the position of the front wheels.

Many drivers simply stop the car, switch off the engine and walk away without checking whether the wheels are straight. While the ideal position depends on where you're parking, keeping the wheels straight is generally preferable on a flat surface. On a slope, however, turning the wheels in the appropriate direction can provide an additional safety measure.

Here's what you should know.

On a Flat Road, Keep the Wheels Straight

If you're parking on a level road or in a regular parking space, it's generally best to leave the front wheels pointing straight ahead.

Avoid leaving the steering wheel turned completely to one side after parking. On older vehicles with hydraulic power steering, holding the steering at full lock can maintain pressure in the steering system. Over time, repeatedly doing this may contribute to wear on components such as seals and other steering parts.

Modern cars with electric power steering don't have the same hydraulic system, but there's still little benefit to routinely leaving the wheels at full lock when parked.

Straight Wheels Also Make the Car Easier to Move

Keeping the wheels straight can be particularly useful in crowded parking areas.

If you need to move the car slightly forward or backward to make room for another vehicle, straight wheels make the movement more predictable and easier to control. Turned wheels can also make the car's position less predictable and may reduce the available space around neighbouring vehicles.

Regularly driving or parking with alignment problems can contribute to uneven tyre wear, so proper wheel alignment should be checked if you notice the car pulling to one side or unusual tyre wear.

What Should You Do When Parking on a Slope?

The approach changes when parking on an incline or decline.

Turning the front wheels toward the curb or a safe roadside area can provide an additional layer of protection if the vehicle unexpectedly rolls because the parking brake or transmission fails.

For example:

• Facing uphill with a curb: Turn the front wheels away from the road so that the vehicle would roll toward the curb.

• Facing downhill with a curb: Turn the front wheels toward the curb.

• No curb: Position the wheels so that any unintended movement would take the vehicle away from traffic and toward a safe area.

The exact technique can depend on the road layout and whether you're facing uphill or downhill, so always prioritise local parking rules and your vehicle manufacturer's guidance.

Never Rely Only on the Turned Wheels

Turning the wheels is only an additional safety measure—it should never replace the parking brake.

Whenever you park, engage the parking brake properly and select the appropriate transmission position. For automatic cars, use P; for manual cars, leave the vehicle in an appropriate gear as recommended for the slope.

The Simple Rule to Remember

Flat surface = wheels straight.

Slope = position the wheels toward the curb or a safe area, depending on the direction of the slope.

And regardless of how the wheels are positioned, always use the parking brake correctly. A few seconds of extra attention while parking can help prevent unnecessary damage, rolling incidents and expensive repairs.