How should you park uphill with a curb?

• A. Turn wheels away from the curb, set the parking brake, and center the vehicle.
• B. Turn wheels toward the curb, and leave the parking brake off.
• C. Turn wheels away from the curb and leave the tires unlocked.
• D. Turn wheels toward the curb, set parking brake, and position toward the curb.

Answer: (A)

When parking uphill with a curb, the goal is to make the vehicle stay put even if the brakes slip. Turning the wheels away from the curb places the tires against the street side, so if the car rolls slightly, the wheel angle and contact with the road can help keep it from moving into traffic or into the curb. Setting the parking brake locks the wheels and provides a second barrier against movement. Centering the vehicle helps it sit squarely in the space and away from the curb.

Options that leave the parking brake off or leave the tires unlocked are unsafe because the car could move if it begins to roll. Turning toward the curb without the brake also risks movement into the curb or traffic. This combination—wheels away from the curb plus the parking brake—offers the proper, safer way to secure the car on an uphill grade with a curb.