Starting on a hill with a manual

[Curious Joel]

Anyone care to share their techniques for starting on a hill with a stick shift to avoid rolling back? Can someone explain the handbrake technique to me? Any other ways?

[UCrewX5]

I've never had to resort to the handbrake method, as it's all a matter of technique with a quick timing of moving your right foot from the brake pedal to the gas, releasing the clutch and giving it enough gas to get you moving forward.

To use the handbrake method, put on the handbrake and just give it a little bit of gas as you start to release the clutch. As you are letting out the clutch, ease the handbrake loose and off you go.

As for other techniques to keep from rolling backward, you could aways have Ms. Moran volunteer to be a wheel chock for you

[Curious Joel]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

I've never had to resort to the handbrake method, as it's all a matter of technique with a quick timing of moving your right foot from the brake pedal to the gas, releasing the clutch and giving it enough gas to get you moving forward.

To use the handbrake method, put on the handbrake and just give it a little bit of gas as you start to release the clutch. As you are letting out the clutch, ease the handbrake loose and off you go.

As for other techniques to keep from rolling backward, you could aways have Ms. Moran volunteer to be a wheel chock for you

I've never had to use the handbrake either... I was just wondering about it. Yeah, I'll get right on the Ms Moran idea..

[R8DX5]

CJ, Here is a technique that I use when starting on a hill. I’m not saying it’s the best or even the right way. It just works for me.

Begin with your feet on the clutch & brakes completely depressed. Put the car in 1st and “very slowing” lift your left foot from the clutch. You are going to get to a point where you “feel” the car wants to move forward but can’t because your right foot is still on the brakes. (Hint) The RPM dips a little.

Stop lifting your left foot at that point and hold it in that position. Take your right foot off the brakes. The car will not roll backwards. (Your left foot has partially engaged the clutch preventing the car from rolling back). Now you can give it some gas and slowly release the clutch.

Practice on a small incline before trying it on a major hill. Let me know if it works for you. Good luck.

[hayaku]

no, there is no try... there is only do... do or do not...

[motordavid]

CJ: What they both said, though I use UCrew's method more frequently, and practically every stop here in the Mtns, is a steep incline "start". I only resort to handbrake when it is Extremely steep.

It's sorta like driving a stick: "cake" once you get the feel and hang of it...go find a steep incline that is empty and practice.
You'll get better very quickly. One key is "more gas" is better when learning: better to slip clutch a touch, rather than stall, and have to turn key to off and back on, to start. GL,md

[B-Line]

The problem most people have coming off a clutch on a hill is, they stall because of a lack of RPM's...
A technique I use when driving race cars or very high performance vehicles is the same technique I use on a hill. I BLIP !!!!

If you have ever felt your car "nosedive" when coming off the clutch, it is because you have released the clutch before the engine has spooled enough power to move +3000lbs.
The simple solution, and key to a good launch, is to blip the throttle to 4000rpm. As you are blipping, you can start to release the clutch, smoothly of course. Now if you continue to modulate the gas pedal as you are easing off the gas you will have a very smooth clean launch on a hill or flat slope.

So even though you might think that guy sitting in the car next to you is revving his engine just to sound cool, it's not always the case. An experienced driver will often do that at a stand still to prepare for a smooth launch. And when the light turns green, he will be in a acceleration sweet spot. The RPM and car will not nose dive trying to make power..

So blip away.