Hill Starts / Uphill 

Objective:          To move away uphill safely and under control.

Recap:                Knowledge of clutch control and moving off on the level.

Main points:       Similar to moving off on the level, except that the car will tend to roll backwards. To avoid this you must co-ordinate use of the gas and clutch pedals with the handbrake.

Briefing:              Prepare the controls to be ready to move off, except that the gas pedal should be depressed further than for starting on the level. Bring the clutch up to the biting point which will be slightly higher than on the level. As you reach the biting point you will notice that the bonnet of the car will lift slightly and the engine revs will drop off - 2 things at this stage - increase gas slightly and dont bring clutch up any higher. If the bonnet is lifting too high and the car is straining to move then depress the clutch slightly - not to far or you will lose the bite.

Now hold your feet steady and put in good all round safety checks.

Now lift the handbrake, release the button and if it is clear to move off, gently increase the gas, gently raise the clutch, and gradually drop the handbrake, (pulling it back up if you feel any rollback).

Continue to increase the gas as the car begins to move and at the same time bring the clutch up smoothly.

Don't forget to signal if necessary and to allow a safe gap for following traffic because your car will be slower pulling away and building up speed than when on a level road.

Check mirrors and adopt a normal driving position.

This exercise requires good timing and steady control.

- Release the brake too early and the car will roll back.

-The car will stall if you -

a) do not set enough gas

b) bring up the clutch too quickly

c) hold up the handbrake too long - (the clutch is ready and saying "I want to go" and the handbrake is saying "no way!")  The handbrake usually wins.

Hill Starts / Downhill

Objective:            To move away downhill safely and under control.

Main points:         Similar to moving off on the level, except that the car will tend to roll forward. To avoid this you depress and hold down the footbrake before releasing the handbrake. The manoeuvre is easier than moving off uphill as the weight of the car will help it move.

Briefing:                Press clutch down fully and select appropriate gear for the slope - 1st or 2nd. Apply footbrake and release handbrake keeping footbrake applied. Good all round checks and signal if necessary. Release footbrake and let the clutch up smoothly as the car starts to roll forward, at the same time gently increasing the gas.                                            Check mirrors and adopt a normal driving position.

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