Let's figure out how dangerous parking on a slope really is and dispel the main myths.
Uneven load on springs and shock absorbers
One of the most common misconceptions is the belief that parking on an incline puts a heavy load on springs and shock absorbers. In theory, this might be true, but in reality, such a load is significantly less than during regular driving. Especially when considering that many car owners have been carrying extra weight in their trunks for years — for example, a jack, tools, a compressor, and other useful but heavy items. These dozens of kilograms of load have a much greater impact on the suspension than a slight incline of a few degrees. Thus, concern about springs and shock absorbers when parking on a small hill is excessive.
Wear on stabilizer bushings and silent blocks
Some believe that even a small incline can lead to wear on the stabilizer bushings and silent blocks. In fact, this is a myth. With a road incline of only 4-5 degrees, the load on the suspension will be minimal, and the movement of the levers will not exceed 2-3 degrees. This is absolutely negligible compared to the loads that occur during regular driving on uneven roads. Therefore, during short-term parking on an incline, components such as bushings and silent blocks do not undergo excessive wear.
Oil drains from the engine
Another myth associated with parking on a slope is the assertion that oil in the engine can drain away. However, this is not true. The oil pickup tube in the oil pan is located close enough to the bottom of the pan, and at a normal oil level — even if the car is parked on a slight incline — there will be no issues with air ingestion. If the oil level is not below the minimum mark, it will not affect the engine's operation.
Oil drains from the fuel pump
The myth that when parked on a slope, the fuel pump may start to draw air due to fuel draining away is also unlikely. In 95% of cases, the fuel pump is located in the fuel tank, in a special "cup" that holds fuel and prevents it from draining even on inclines. Problems can only arise if the fuel in the tank is close to the minimum and the car is on a too steep incline. However, such situations are quite rare and occur only in extreme cases when the tank is almost empty.
The body experiences strong loads
Many believe that when parking on a slope, the car's body is subjected to heavy loads. In reality, this is not the case. Even if one side of the car is on the curb and the other on the asphalt, the body does not experience significant loads. Modern cars are designed to withstand such changes in position without compromising structural integrity. The body, if it does not have serious defects, is not at risk during short-term parking on an incline.
Conclusion
The main myths about the dangers of parking on an incline are not based on real grounds. An incline of up to 5 degrees, used in the design of urban roads, does not have a significant impact on the main components of the car, such as the suspension, engine, or body. There are certainly exceptions, but they are more related to extreme conditions where the incline is 30 degrees or more, which is rarely encountered in everyday life. Thus, it can be confidently stated that short-term parking on an incline poses no threat for the majority of cars.