Parking on a hill

In general, it is not recommended to park a vehicle with a trailer on a hill. People may be seriously or fatally injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer may be damaged if they start rolling downhill.

However, if you must park on a hill, follow these recommendations:

1. Bring the vehicle to a parking area.

Turn the steering wheel toward the curb (right if facing downhill, left if facing uphill).

2. Place the shift lever in N (Neutral) for a manual transmission or P (Park) for an automatic transmission.

3. Apply the parking brake and turn off the vehicle.

4. Place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels on the downhill side.

5. Start the vehicle, depress the brake pedal, shift to N (Neutral), release the parking brake, and slowly release the brakes until the trailer chocks take the load.

6. Reapply the brakes and the parking brake.

7. Shift to P (Park) for an automatic transmission, or to 1st gear when parked uphill and to R (Reverse) when parked downhill for a manual transmission.

8. Turn off the vehicle and release the brakes, but keep the parking brake applied.

WARNING Do not leave the vehicle unless the parking brake is firmly applied. If the engine has been left running, the vehicle may move suddenly. The driver or passengers may be seriously or fatally injured.

Preparing to leave the vehicle after parking on a hill

1. With a manual transmission in Neutral (N) or an automatic transmission in P (Park), apply the brakes and keep the pedal depressed, and at the same time:

• Start the engine,
• Shift into gear,
• Release the parking brake.

2. Slowly release the brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the wheel chocks.

4. Stop and have the wheel chocks picked up and stored.