If you've ever seen a driver turn their steering wheel before leaving a parking space, you've heard the less than pleasant sound emitting from their tires. The rubber will fight with the pavement or gravel until the driver decides they have enough leeway to drive away.

The act of turning your steering wheel while the vehicle is not in motion is known as "dry steering." To keep your vehicle in good shape, you'll want to avoid this behavior.

When the tires move over the pavement while the vehicle is stationary, they may suffer damage. In addition to the risk that stones or other debris will be dragged along the tire, you may put additional stress on the sidewall if you turn the tire into a curb.

Dry steering will also put a great deal of pressure on the steering systems. BC Driving Blog, a site maintained by a British Columbia driving instructor, says this strain can damage components such as the bearings, rack and pinion, and tie rods.

If your vehicle does not have power steering, it's easy to see how much extra effort it takes to turn the wheel while the vehicle is not moving. Power steering makes dry steering easier, but it does not make it any more advisable. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, a British transportation authority, says dry steering risks damage to your tires and steering system even if you have power steering.

To avoid dry steering, you simply need to keep moving when you turn the wheel. Black and Amber Driving School, an Irish business, says even moving at a slow speed will help alleviate strain on your vehicle. You can also turn your steering wheel rapidly while the vehicle is rolling to get the tires pointed in the right direction as quickly as possible.

Drivers are especially likely to use dry steering when they are parallel parking. Young Drivers of Canada, a driver training organization, says it is preferable to start turning the wheel after you have started to reverse toward the parking space.

In certain situations, such as when you don't have much room between vehicles in a parking space, you may need to move the steering wheel slightly before leaving. However, you should always make an effort to put your vehicle in motion before steering.