What additional precautions should you take if you must park on a hill facing downward?

When parking on a hill facing downward, it is essential to lock the steering wheel towards the curb to help prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic in case it starts to move. By turning the front wheels towards the curb, if the vehicle does begin to roll, it will be directed towards the curb or edge of the road, which can slow or stop its motion, reducing the risk of an accident.

This practice is part of safe vehicle operation and helps ensure that even if the parking brake were to fail, the vehicle would not roll into a more dangerous position such as into moving traffic. Using the steering wheel in this manner is a critical part of properly securing a vehicle on an incline.

Other options do not provide adequate security for the vehicle. Leaving the vehicle in neutral would allow it to roll freely; solely applying the parking brake does not account for the possibility of brake failure; and simply turning off the engine does not prevent movement without additional precautions. Thus, locking the steering wheel towards the curb is an important and effective measure to maintain safety while parking on a slope.