Parking on a hill is something most drivers learn once for a license test and then forget. In winter, those rules suddenly matter again. Ice reduces the friction holding your tires in place, and a car that would never move on dry pavement can slide on a frozen slope.
The classic rules for turning your wheels
The idea behind curbing your wheels is simple: if the car does move, you want it to roll into the curb, not into the street.
- Downhill with a curb. Turn the front wheels toward the curb, so the front tire rests against it.
- Uphill with a curb. Turn the front wheels away from the curb, then let the car roll back gently until the back of the front tire touches the curb.
- Uphill or downhill without a curb. Turn the wheels toward the edge of the road, so the car would roll away from traffic.
Some places require curbing wheels on grades by law, so check your state’s driver handbook for local rules.
Brakes and gears
Set the parking brake firmly on any slope before shifting into park. This puts the weight of the car on the brake rather than on the small part inside an automatic transmission that holds it in park. In a manual transmission car, many drivers leave it in first gear when facing uphill and reverse when facing downhill, in addition to the parking brake. Check your owner’s manual, since recommendations can vary.
In very cold, wet conditions, some drivers worry about parking brakes freezing. If that is a concern for your car, your manual or a mechanic can advise on the best practice for your vehicle. On a hill, though, the brake is usually essential.
Winter-specific hazards
- Snowbanks hide curbs. You may not be able to feel the curb when turning your wheels. Turn toward the curb or edge anyway, and leave extra space from the car downhill.
- Ice forms around tires. Meltwater can refreeze under a parked car, making the first few feet of departure slick.
- Getting out is harder than getting in. Pulling uphill out of a snowy space can mean spinning tires. Leave room so you can get a little momentum.
- Snow emergency rules often prioritize hills. Steep streets are commonly on priority plow routes and may have parking bans during storms.
Choosing a better spot
When conditions are icy, the best hill parking is sometimes no hill parking. If you can choose a level street, a lot or a garage, you remove the risk entirely. If you live on a hill, consider whether a nearby off-street space for the worst storms is worth it. Walking a block or two on cleared sidewalks is often safer than trying to start a car on an icy grade. Wherever you park, read the posted signs, which may include seasonal restrictions on steep streets.
A Step-by-Step Routine for Icy Slopes
When you park on a hill in winter, the order of your actions matters. Doing them in the same sequence every time keeps the car’s weight on the right parts and puts it in the safest position if anything slips.
- Approach slowly. Brake well before the space and creep in. On an icy downhill, a car takes far longer to stop than you expect, and you want to arrive at the curb gently.
- Stop with the foot brake held firmly. Keep your foot on the brake through the next steps.
- Turn the wheels for the grade. Use the rule for uphill, downhill, curb or no curb. If a snowbank hides the curb, turn toward the edge anyway.
- Let the car settle, if appropriate. Uphill with a curb, release the foot brake just enough to let the tire roll back against the curb. On ice, do this extremely gently, or skip it if the car begins to slide.
- Set the parking brake firmly. Then release the foot brake slowly and feel whether the car holds.
- Shift into park or the appropriate gear. Turn off the engine.
- Exit carefully. On a slope, the downhill side of the car can be the slickest place to step. Hold the door frame and test your footing before putting weight on it.
Leaving a hill space in winter
Getting out safely is the other half of the routine. Clear snow from around the tires, especially on the side you will turn toward. Start the car, press the foot brake, then shift and release the parking brake. Straighten the wheels as you begin to move, ease onto the gas gently and avoid spinning. If the tires spin uphill, stop, add traction material and try again rather than revving the engine. Facing downhill, keep your speed very low until you reach a flatter area or a cleared intersection.
Common Hill Parking Mistakes in Winter
- Leaving the wheels straight. Straight wheels give a sliding car nothing to stop it from rolling into traffic.
- Parking too close to the car downhill. If your car slides, even a few inches, it may contact the car below. Leave extra room.
- Relying on park alone. The transmission’s park mechanism is not designed to hold the full weight of a car on a slope for long periods. Use the parking brake.
- Parking across a slope. Parking sideways on a steep driveway or lot can be unstable on ice. When you can, park so the car faces straight up or down the grade.
- Forgetting the walk. Even a safely parked car leaves you walking on an icy hill. Wear shoes with good traction and use handrails where available.
What this means if you live on a hill
Residents of steep streets often develop their own winter rhythm. Some move their cars to the bottom of the hill or to a flat side street when a storm is forecast, then walk home. Others arrange a driveway or garage space for the worst weeks. Neighbors on steep blocks sometimes coordinate shoveling and traction material for the sidewalk, which helps everyone get to and from their cars safely.
Hill Parking Questions
Do these rules apply to driveways?
The physics is the same. On a sloped driveway, use the parking brake and turn the wheels so that the car would roll away from the street if it moved.
What if my parking brake freezes?
If the brake will not release, do not force it by driving against it. Your owner’s manual or a mechanic can explain safe options for your car, and some drivers check the brake on milder days to make sure it moves freely.
Is it safe to park on a hill with an electronic parking brake?
Electronic parking brakes are designed to hold on grades. Follow your owner’s manual, and still turn your wheels as the rules for your state require.
