Learn How to Perform Hill Starts with and Without the Handbrake Engaged

Why learn hill start? The car will turn against you and begin rolling back if your start is not done correctly. Many cars today, are fitted with hill start assist, a modern technology that comes along with the car. Even with this tech, the motorist needs confidence gained over time. Learning hill start becomes necessary when the country you are in is not flat geographically. There are highs and lows and you should know how to drive in that terrain. One has to accept the fact. The examiner at your driving test will ask you to drive on an inclined slope, apart from other types of tests. When you are pulling away from a parking lot or you are doing a hill start on a crowded street, the handbrake should be on so that the car doesn't roll back.

There is a process like putting the clutch down to the floor and selecting the first gear. You press the accelerator and bring the clutch up slowly. It is to bring it to the biting point when you hear the change in the sound of the engine. The engine wants to move. While doing the hill start, check for everything around for safety and release the handbrake you allow the clutch to bite more and the car begins to move slowly up. Later, push the accelerator further and then release the clutch again. The car will start rolling up the hill. Once you start climbing you will feel like shifting gears, but you should keep the gear engaged at the lower position. It will give more power to the engine that is much needed to move up. So, you begin with the handbrake on, putting the clutch down and selecting the first gear. Pressing the accelerator is the next move. You put the clutch up to a biting position. When it is safe to move up, release the handbrake. In the meantime, you keep releasing the clutch till the point of biting. Keep pushing the accelerator and releasing the clutch and the car starts moving up. It is so simple and you need practice. 

• The function of Hill Assist

If there is a hill assist in your car, you can release the brake and the car won't slide back for a few seconds. It will remain stationary. In the meantime, you can get the biting point of the clutch. If you take it long to get the clutch biting point, the car will begin to roll back. You will have to apply the handbrake once again. This is the cycle. If you are a new driver, a hill start may be daunting for you. Once you start practising, you can go uphill quite smoothly. You must choose deserted roads for practice.

• Hill Start withthe Handbrake Engaged

When you are on a slope you should continue with the handbrake engaged. You put the foot on the brake pedal. When you are ready to drive on, release the button on the handbrake but don't release the handbrake now. You should shift to the first gear and then release the brake pedal also. Press on the accelerator. You should begin releasing the clutch till it reaches the point of bite.

You should disengage the clutch and the handbrake simultaneously while pressing on the accelerator. Once you master the trick after repeated practice, you can keep the handbrake engaged and release the clutch and accelerate together. It may happen in unison and quickly. This point you can reach after some time. Your car may have the handbrake placed in an odd position, making it difficult for you to do the practice using the handbrake.

• Hill Start when you don't use the handbrake

You should begin with pressing on the brake fully and go to the first gear. You can begin releasing the clutch slowly up to the biting point. The car might vibrate a bit when one reaches this position. When the clutch reaches the bite, you should release the brake quickly and press on the accelerator to move the car on. The previous method of using the handbrake is better than this method.