Cars Left With Steering 'not Straight'

[Mr-H]

I have been told that to leave the steering of a car in any other position than North/South (i.e. straight ahead) causes strain on the steering leading to damage. I've never heard this before! Tell me it's not true please. (I'd love to go back to my friend and say he's wrong!)

[shoota]

Dry steering (moving the steering wheel when sationary) stresses the steering mechanism so it is best to get the wheels straight before finally coming to a halt.
Many people dry steer when parking or before moving off which is not good practice.
Leaving the wheels angled would not in itself strain the steering system and is often used as a safety measure when parking on hills.

[Old_Geezer]

If you park with the wheels at an angle and the hand brake fails the car will run into the kerb instead of careering down the road into that junction ahead.

[sigma]

You mean into the kerb if facing downhill and away from the kerb if facing up hill

[nescio]

sigma,
NO - INto the kerb whichever direction you are facing on a hill.
If you turn the steering away from the kerb, facing up hill, the rear of the vehicle will turn AWAY from the kerb as it moves downhill.
Anyway, anyone stupid enough to park a vehicle out of gear on a hill, or anywhere, deserves what happens.

[Baldric]

Er, NO!

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.8.3.shtml

[Toureman]

It used to be true about 30 0r 40 years ago when car steering parts could get worn more by doing that but not now on modern cars.

Who ever told you that must be elderly or out of touch!

A lot of new cars have a warning in the handbook to never to keep the steering wheel hard over when on full lock as it could cause damage to the steering mechanism.