Parking on an incline

[Mithril]

Ugh...hamsters ate my first try at this OP.

I routinely have to park my 1993 economy car on a slope. To give you an idea of its steepness, I have actually witnessed an SUV rolling down this incline without a driver.

Of course I put on my emergency brake and turn my wheels into the curb, etc., so I'm not too worried about rolling downhill. What I am worried about is the horrible noise that my car makes when I get into it again after having parked it. It's the same noise that a car makes when you drive away with the emergency brake on (not that I've ever done such a silly thing. No, never).

Here's the question: Is routinely parking on a very steep incline bad for a car? Is there anything besides the brakes that might be affected? Sometimes my car just doesn't sound excited about starting in the morning, but only when I park on the hill.

[Nametag]

Well, parking on a hill can put a strain on some transmissions, so you should put the car in neutral and release the foot brake, letting the parking brake and/or the curb take all of the weight, and then put the car in gear (or in Park) and shut the engine off. If you have a clutch, release it after the engine's off.

Of course, I don't really know what your problem is; I've never heard any sound from a parking brake, nor have I heard any sound when I get into a car (except a little squeaking). When, exactly, does it make this sound, and what, exactly, does it sound like?

[Mithril]

Nametag, it sounds like the car is in pain. It's a deep, rumbling sound that seems to be coming from the wheels.

It seems like it occurs when the car is settling in. After I park and leave the car, it happens when I, or anyone else gets back in. I think the extra weight, or the new distribution of it, might make the car move just a little bit, thus straining the parking brake.

Of course, it's just a hypothesis. I'll try your way of parking and see if it helps in this situation. Thanks!

[Philster]

-Stop vehicle, keeping foot on brakes,
-turn wheels to curb (don't turn excessively)
-set tranny in PARK while keeping foot on brake
-set parking brake
- release brakes

return to car....

apply brakes
start engine
release parking brake, while applying brakes
straighten wheels


Sometimes if you place the car in PARK, then apply the brake you are rocking all the weight on the tranny. The tranny should never bear the load...only the brakes. So break should always be applied before the tranny is set into park.

[Gary T]

Originally posted by Mithril
Nametag, it sounds like the car is in pain. It's a deep, rumbling sound that seems to be coming from the wheels.

It seems like it occurs when the car is settling in. After I park and leave the car, it happens when I, or anyone else gets back in. I think the extra weight, or the new distribution of it, might make the car move just a little bit, thus straining the parking brake.

That's probably exactly right, and while it may be that not every car does it, it's not unusual. It probably sounds worse than it is, I doubt it's putting significant strain on anything.

[Mithril]

So is the tranny the only thing I have to worry about? I was somewhat concerned about fluids not being in exactly the right place at startup because of the incline. For instance, could more oil be in the pan instead of distributed throughout the engine?

[Gary T]

Originally posted by Mithril
So is the tranny the only thing I have to worry about? I was somewhat concerned about fluids not being in exactly the right place at startup because of the incline. For instance, could more oil be in the pan instead of distributed throughout the engine?

No, the same amount of oil will be in the pan. It would have to be an extremely steep slope for there to be a concern, e.g. oil amassed at one end of the pan and the oil pump pick-up tube at the other end sucking air. I really doubt there's a problem in that area.

[Nametag]

Sounds to me like your parking brake is slipping. Adjust it or have it looked at, whatever you're more comfortable with. (BTW, IANAM)

[Mithril]

Thanks, everyone. Great advice, all around!