You may notice that some drivers leave the wheels perfectly straight, while others turn them all the way. Driving schools usually recommend the first option — straighten the steering wheel before turning off the engine. However, in real-world use the situation is not so clear-cut: in a number of cases, turned wheels prove to be a more sensible solution.
When Turning the Wheels Really Helps
In tight parking areas — in courtyards or near shopping centers — minor collisions happen regularly. When the wheels are straight, the body takes the first hit: the bumper, fender, or door. If the wheels are turned, the contact often falls on the tire or rim instead.
This does not make the car invulnerable, but rubber is capable of partially absorbing impact energy better than metal. This is especially relevant if large vehicles are maneuvering nearby, such as SUVs with tow hitches. In such places, a slight turn of the wheel toward the possible point of contact can sometimes help avoid body damage.
There is also a less obvious effect that appears in summer. A car left in the sun heats up significantly, and the steering wheel becomes almost scorching. If you turn it before parking, the usual grip area shifts downward or to the side, where the sun's rays hit less directly. As a result, when you get into the cabin, you can immediately grab a less heated section and drive off without unnecessary discomfort.
The most important application is related to parking on a slope. Here, the position of the wheels affects not convenience but safety. If the parking brake fails, correctly turned wheels can prevent the car from moving on its own.
The basic rules in such situations are:
- when parking facing uphill, the wheels are turned away from the curb
- when parking facing downhill, they are turned toward the curb
- if there is no curb on a slope, the wheels should be turned so that in the event of parking brake failure the car rolls onto the shoulder rather than into the roadway
This technique is often viewed as an additional safeguard and can indeed play a decisive role.
The Myth of Protection From Towing
There is a widespread belief that turned wheels make it harder to tow a car away. In practice, this is not true. Modern equipment is fitted with devices that allow cars to be removed without difficulty regardless of wheel position.
The hope that the steering angle will protect the car from a tow truck has no real basis. If the vehicle is parked in violation of the rules, it will be taken away regardless of how the wheels are positioned.
When This Technique Gets in the Way
Despite the advantages listed above, excessive wheel turn can create problems. On narrow streets or in places with heavy traffic, a protruding wheel reduces the space available for passing and makes maneuvering more difficult for other road users.
In such conditions, this leads to the opposite effect:
- the risk of hitting the protruding part of the car increases
- passage becomes more difficult for large vehicles, such as buses or trucks
Thus, the choice of wheel position when parking depends on the specific situation. There is no universal solution: in some places it is better to leave them straight, while elsewhere a slight turn will be more reasonable. It is important to consider not only your own convenience, but also how the car affects the surrounding space.