DOWNHILL STARTS
When moving off downhill, gravity provides the power to get the
car moving.
To take advantage of this you need to press the footbrake before you
release the handbrake; this will prevent the car from rolling down
the hill.
When you release the footbrake the car will start to roll, and you can
then bring up the clutch and press the gas pedal (if necessary).
If the hill is quite steep it may be appropriate to move off in second gear.
The method:
Clutch down
Select the appropriate gear
Press the footbrake
Release the handbrake
Make your observation checks
Signal if required
Release the footbrake
Bring the clutch up smoothly
When releasing the footbrake take care to control the speed.
On a slight gradient you might need to release the footbrake fully, however on a
steeper hill it might be necessary to release the footbrake gradually while engaging
the clutch.
CLUTCH CONTROL
You have already used a degree of clutch control
when moving off and stopping, but before going any further you need to practise your
use of the clutch until you have mastered a fine degree of control.
The term 'clutch-control' is used to refer to use of the clutch during low speed
manoeuvres such as creeping out for a better view at junctions, reversing, parking and
so on.
The reason that we need clutch-control for slow manoeuvres is because the two
lowest (and slowest) gears still allow the car to move too fast when the clutch is
fully engaged - even if your right foot is not pressing the gas pedal.
By 'slipping' the clutch we can coax the car into moving very, very slowly - just
centimetre by centimetre if necessary.
To achieve good clutch control you might need to be patient at first!
The method:
Press the gas pedal gently
(This can help smooth clutch-control and make the task easier,
even in cars that will move without any gas, for example
diesel engine cars)
Bring the clutch up smoothly to the biting point
(This is the point at which the clutch just starts to engage)
Hold both feet still
Release the handbrake
If the car moves put a little pressure on the clutch - this will
sop the movement (unless you are facing downhill)
If the car does not move, ease the clutch up a tiny bit - the
thickness of a pond coin would be enough. This will start
moving the car
.
UPHILL STARTS
Uphill starts are similar to level starts; however, you have
to make the engine work a bit harder. You do this by
using more gas.
Because it will take more time to build up speed, you may
need a bigger gap in the traffic before starting to move
than you have been used to so far.
Following this advice will ensure that you are always confident about hill-starts!
Uphill starts require more power to prevent the engine from stalling. When you
feel the clutch bite, press the accelerator a little harder than on a level road and
then release the clutch just a fraction more - this will prevent the danger of
rolling backwards. After releasing the handbrake, apply a little more power to
move off and release the clutch fully.
The simple trick is to use the handbrake as a 'safety lever' to prevent the car from
rolling back while you adjust your feet.
When new drivers have a problem with starting on hills, it is usually because of the
fear of rolling back. If the car rolls, even a little bit, they 'panic' and start tap dancing
with the pedals!
Using this method, you will only adjust your feet on the pedals when the car is safely
secured with the handbrake.
Method
Start by preparing the car by pressing the gas pedal and bringing the clutch up to the
biting point. Now keep your feet still!
Make your normal observation checks and then release the handbrake very
gently - no more than a few millimetres. If the car starts to move (back or
forward) keep your feet still and pull the handbrake back on again.
Re-adjust your feet while the car is secure, double check that the road is still
clear, and then try again. Repeat this until you have full control.
By using this method you will feel secure in the knowledge that you cannot roll back
more than a couple of centimetres; with practise you will find that you soon get the
right 'feel' for the clutch every time.
MOVING OFF AT AN ANGLE
When you have passed your test you will often have to move
out from ‘tight’ situations.
This excercise requires excellent clutch control, and you must
ensure that you get all the practice needed to develop this
skill.
When moving out at an angle you need to pay particular
attention to traffic approaching from both the front and
behind.
From the front because you may swing into its path, from
behind because you will be moving out slowly and other cars
will catch up quickly.
Consider a signal even if you think there is no one to benefit.
It is also a good idea to look around at least twice as you
move to double check that there is enough gap behind to
move out safely.
You will need to use your clutch control and steering skills in
order to complete this manoeuvre safely.