How to Park on a Hill

By the Mercury Team

When you think of challenging parking situations, parallel parking might be the first thing that comes to mind. But there’s another challenge that often gets overlooked: parking on a hill. Fortunately, parking on a hill the right way is simple once you know the steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to park on a hill safely in any situation.

Why Proper Hill Parking Matters

When parking on a hill, how you position your car really matters. If you don’t do it right, your vehicle could roll away and possibly damage another car, hit a fence, or worse, injure someone nearby. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that vehicle rollaways—i.e., unattended with no driver in control—account for about 17% of all non-traffic deaths and injuries, with an average of 144 deaths and around 1,886 injuries per year in the U.S. from 2016 to 2020.

If your car causes damage because the wheels weren’t turned correctly or the parking brake wasn’t set, you could be held liable, even if you weren’t in the car. That kind of mistake can lead to costly insurance claims and additional stress.

However, if you take the right precautions, you can avoid all that hassle. It only takes a few extra seconds to keep you, your car, and others around you, safe.

Parking on a Hill: The Basics

When parking on a hill, no matter how steep the road is, it’s important to secure your car before walking away. Here’s what to do every time:

• Put your car in gear: If you have an automatic transmission, shift your car into Park. If you have a manual transmission, use first gear when parking uphill and reverse when parking downhill.
• Set the parking brake: Do this every single time, even on a slight slope.
• Turn your wheels depending on the direction of the hill: This helps prevent your car from rolling into traffic if the brakes fail (we’ll explain how below).

How to Park Uphill

Parking uphill requires a few extra steps to make sure your car stays safely in place. Whether there’s a curb or not, following the right technique can help prevent accidents.

How to Park Uphill with a Curb

If you’re parking uphill and there’s a curb, follow these steps:

1. Turn your front wheels away from the curb (toward the street).
2. Let your car roll back slowly until the back of the front tire touches the curb.
3. Set your parking brake to keep the car securely in place.

Why does this matter? If your brakes fail, the tire will hit the curb and stop the car from rolling into the street.

How to Park Uphill Without a Curb

If there’s no curb, use this approach instead:

1. Turn your wheels sharply to the right so they point toward the edge of the road.
2. Set the parking brake before you exit the vehicle.
3. Double-check that your car is secure before walking away.

Turning the wheels this way helps your car roll away from traffic (not into it) if anything goes wrong.

How to Park Downhill

Knowing how to park downhill safely is just as important as uphill parking, especially if you want to avoid a rollaway or other damage. Whether there’s a curb or not, your wheel positioning and use of the parking brake are key.

How to Park Downhill with a Curb

If you’re parking downhill and there’s a curb, follow these steps:

1. Turn your front wheels toward the curb (right).
2. Let your car roll forward slowly until the front tire gently touches the curb.
3. Set the parking brake and shift into gear (or Park if you’re driving an automatic).

Why does it work? If your car starts to roll, the front tire will hit the curb and stop it from moving into traffic.

How to Park Downhill Without a Curb

If there’s no curb, here’s what to do:

1. Turn your front wheels to the right, toward the side of the road.
2. Set your parking brake, and make sure your gear is engaged.

This way, if the car rolls, it will move off the road rather than into it, keeping you and everyone else safer.

Pro Tips for Parking on a Hill in Different Conditions

When parking on a hill in bad weather—like rain, snow, or ice—take extra precautions. Slippery roads reduce tire traction, making it easier for your car to slide, even when parked. Here are a few simple tips to help keep your car safe and steady, no matter the conditions:

• Always double-check that your wheels are turned correctly and the parking brake is fully engaged.
• On especially steep hills, consider using wheel chocks, which are wedges placed behind your tires for added stability.
• Before walking away, take a quick moment to make sure everything is secure. Look to confirm your vehicle isn’t shifting or rolling.

What to Do If Your Car Rolls on a Hill

It’s a scary moment—your parked car starts to roll. But don’t panic. Here’s what to do to stay safe and handle the situation calmly:

1. Stay Safe

Don’t try to chase after the car. If it’s still moving, keep your distance and let it come to a stop on its own, or wait for emergency help.

2. Call 911

If there has been any damage to property or injuries, contact emergency services immediately to report the incident.

3. Document the Scene

Take photos of the damage, your vehicle, and the surrounding area. If others were involved, exchange contact and insurance information.

4. File an Insurance Claim

Contact your car insurance provider as soon as possible. The sooner you report the incident, the sooner you can begin the claims process.

5. Reach Out to Mercury Insurance

If you’re a Mercury customer, we’re here to help. Our claims team will walk you through the next steps, answer your questions, and help you get things resolved quickly and smoothly.

Conclusion

When you park responsibly, you’re looking out for yourself, your car, and everyone nearby. And when the unexpected does happen, having the right insurance can keep you protected.

Looking for reliable protection at a great value? Mercury offers cheap car insurance that doesn’t cut corners on coverage or service. Reach out to find out how we can help keep you covered wherever the road takes you.

Contact us today for a fast, free quote!