Hill starts and driving on hills

By the end of this topic you can

• You can move off uphill without rolling back or stalling.
• You can move off downhill under control.
• You can use a lower gear and engine braking to control speed going downhill.
• You can park safely on a hill and leave the wheels turned the right way.

What you need to know and understand

• Uphill you need more accelerator and a firmer biting point than on the flat.
• Use the parking brake to hold the car while you prepare, then release it when the car is ready to pull.
• Downhill, the footbrake holds the car as you move off, and you may not need the accelerator at all.
• Select a lower gear before a long downhill slope so engine braking helps control your speed.
• Coasting in neutral or with the clutch down reduces control, especially downhill, because speed builds quickly and engine braking is lost.
• When parking facing uphill, leave the car in a forward gear and turn the wheels away from the kerb. Facing downhill, use reverse and turn the wheels towards the kerb. In an automatic, select P.

Moving off uphill

1. Clutch down, select first gear.
2. Press the accelerator a little more than you would on the flat and hold it steady.
3. Bring the clutch up slowly to the biting point and a little beyond, until you hear the engine note drop and feel the car pulling against the parking brake.
4. Do all your observations: mirrors, blind spots and a signal if it would help.
5. Release the parking brake. If the car starts to roll back, raise the clutch a fraction. If it lurches, hold the clutch still.
6. As the car moves, add a little more gas and bring the clutch up slowly and smoothly.

Moving off downhill

1. Clutch down, select first gear, or second if the slope is steep and your instructor suggests it.
2. Press the footbrake to hold the car, then release the parking brake.
3. Make your observations and decide on a signal.
4. When it is safe, release the footbrake gently and let the car begin to roll.
5. Bring the clutch up smoothly. Use the footbrake to control speed and gas only if needed.

Driving down long hills

Change to a lower gear at the top of the hill, before the car gathers speed. Engine braking then helps hold the car back, so you do not have to rely on the footbrake alone. Never coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch held down. The car speeds up quickly, you lose engine braking and you may struggle to choose a gear when you need one.

Going uphill, change down early so the engine does not labour, and remember that vehicles coming down may be travelling faster than you expect.

Common mistakes

• Releasing the parking brake before you have enough gas and biting point. Wait until you feel the car pulling.
• Lifting the clutch too quickly uphill and stalling. Raise it slowly and keep the gas steady.
• Coasting down a hill with the clutch pressed. Stay in gear and use engine braking.
• Forgetting to turn the wheels when parking on a hill. Uphill away from the kerb, downhill towards it.
• Holding the car on the clutch at uphill traffic lights for a long time. Use the parking brake instead.

Test yourself: Hill starts and driving on hills

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Hill Starts Explained
• Coasting and Downhill Control