How to drive up a slope

New to driving, I'm quite good on ordinary roads. But I'm baffled when I drive uphill/slope.Everytime I face a slope, I try to balance the clutch in 1st gear (what my instructor calls the clutch balancing point- a point after which you feel a shiver in the clutch pedal) and then release the brakes to let the car move.But most of the time the engine turns off. So what I do is start the car and give a lot of throttle feed (with the clutch on hold) and move the vehicle. Its quite difficult because in heavy traffic, there are chances of hitting the vehicle in front if you push the throttle too hard.

What I need to know is how to stop the car from moving backwards while driving up slopes and cruise it forward safely?

Please help!

Hi Kolsy,

You could refer to "Driving up a hill/slope" thread. I hope the posts in there are of help to you. Do write in if anything else comes up.

Cheers!

Start to drive normally with the handbrake ON, and release the handbrake when the car is about to move.

You will notice the car about to move when she slightly rises on her springs.
Rgds
Narayan

Thanks guys for the inputs. Would try practising that way!

Easiest trick - use handbrake and drive normal. Release handbrake as and when the vehicle is just ready to lunge forward.

Slightly harder trick - the clutch balance method - in your case it seems you are releasing the clutch a bit too much before release the brakes - reduce the amount of release very slightly - if your car has a tacho, release the clutch to the extent that the RPM just starts to drop - mind you just starts to drop. Hold the clutch in this position and then release the brakes - even if the car is not going forward, atleast, it won't go back. Gradually press the accelerator and release the clutch as you do so.

Expert trick - use your right leg to control the brake and accelerator at the same time(heel depressing the brake and toes on the accelerator). The brake is released and the accelerator is pressed at the turn of your ankle (raise your heel and depress your toes on the accelerator) - synchronise this with the release of clutch with your left feet - mind you this one needs practice, but once you have mastered this, then nothing like this one.

Well... but isn't (expert trick) risky while practicing, and even thereafter (expertising), I suppose.


Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

Pankaj,

This is more like the graduation - I started with the easiest one - handbrake. Then, I learnt the exact point at which to hold the clutch and release the brakes.

Now that I know the point at which to release the brakes, I am moving one step ahead by ensuring that I control the accelerator as well by putting my feet in a cross position.

I won't recommend the expert's technique on day one to any one - learners have to follow the easiest one first and graduate slowly to the expert stage.

Oh yes, I understand.  But nice you clarified - the asker / readers will understand better.

What I actually mean is that use of right leg to have concurrent control of brake & accelerator is risky even after expertising the function you have explained.  It should be avoided, if possible.

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

I am thinking just to take care of 1 at a time is a problem in itself. And the tought of taking care of 2 at a time!!! Reminds me of the SPRITE ad!! (lighter vein comment)

I think in diffcult city traffic this would be tricky no doubt. I have never tried. But if the brake paddle was designed like the way the accelerators are designed then this approach would have become little more easier to practise. Safer would be to try this on clear roads before trying in normal conditions.

If mastering this technique requires too much skill might as well graduate to a AT version of the car!! I guess the thrill of trying such an approach to driving would be there though.

Bhushan