You're parking downhill against a curb in Oregon. Which direction should your front wheels be turned?
-
A.
Toward the curb that you are parked against. Correct
-
B.
Toward the travel lane (away from the curb).
-
C.
Straight ahead, as if continuing downhill.
-
D.
In any direction, as long as the parking brake is firmly set.
The answer is "Toward the curb that you are parked against."
When parking downhill against a curb, turn your wheels toward the curb. If the parking brake fails and the vehicle starts rolling forward, the front tires catch on the curb instead of letting the vehicle roll into traffic. The Oregon manual instructs drivers to turn the front wheels as shown in its hill-parking diagram, which prescribes wheels toward the curb for downhill curb parking, wheels toward the travel lane for uphill curb parking, and wheels toward the road edge when there is no curb.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Toward the travel lane (away from the curb).
Wheels point toward the travel lane only when parking uphill against a curb. Downhill is the opposite direction. Misreading: Swaps the uphill-against-a-curb rule (wheels toward the travel lane) for the downhill rule (wheels toward the curb).
C. Straight ahead, as if continuing downhill.
Hill parking always requires turning the wheels so the curb or roadside acts as a backup if the brake fails. Misreading: Ignores the hill-parking diagram, which prescribes turning the wheels in every case (toward the curb, the travel lane, or the road edge).
D. In any direction, as long as the parking brake is firmly set.
Setting the parking brake is required on every hill, but it is not a substitute for wheel position. The manual has you turn the front wheels precisely so the curb stops the vehicle in case the brake fails. Misreading: Reads "Always set your parking brake" as making wheel direction irrelevant; the manual requires both, because wheel position is the backup for brake failure.
This question tests your knowledge of Parking in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Parking & Stopping: Parking on Hills," p.69..
Related Oregon questions
- When parallel parking next to a curb in Oregon, how far from the curb may your vehicle be? →
- You see an empty parking space marked with the disabled-person symbol on the ground in Oregon. Your friend has a permit but is not in the car with you. May you park there? →
- You're parking on any hill in Oregon. What's the first thing you should always do? →
- You're parking UPHILL against a curb in Oregon. Which direction should your front wheels be turned? →
- In Oregon, what is the minimum distance you must stay from a fire hydrant when parking? →
The Oregon book is on the way
Drop your email and we'll send the free Oregon cheat sheet now, plus a note the moment the book is available.