At what RPM should the tachometer reach before releasing the foot brake during a hill start?
3 Answers
During a hill start, the foot brake is generally released when the tachometer reaches 1500 RPM. Below are the relevant details: Introduction: 1. Introduction: Hill start is a test item in the subject two of the driver's license examination, which involves starting a vehicle parked on a steep slope upwards. 2. Requirements: Hill start includes two test items: first, the fixed-point parking on the uphill road, and then the starting and driving on the slope. For fixed-point parking, the front bumper of the vehicle must be in the middle of the yellow line for fixed-point parking, and the bumper must not exceed or fall short of the yellow line by more than 50 cm. The front and rear right wheels must stop between the edge yellow line and the white line (width 30 cm). For hill start, the vehicle must not roll back more than 30 cm.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over a decade, and hill starts are my specialty. Every time I stop at an intersection on a slope, what I fear most is accidentally rolling backward. When I was learning to drive, my instructor taught me to watch the tachometer, usually releasing the foot brake at around 1500 to 2000 RPM is most appropriate. Why choose this point? Because at this range, the engine's torque output is sufficient to counteract the backward rolling force caused by gravity. In actual operation, I first press the brake, engage first gear, gradually apply throttle, wait until the needle steadily rises to around 1800 RPM, then gently release the brake pedal, and the car will start smoothly. Never release too early or too abruptly, otherwise it's easy to stall or accelerate too quickly. For different car models, smaller displacement vehicles might need a higher RPM, say 2000; larger displacement cars might only need 1500 RPM. When driving in crowded city traffic, I usually practice a few times on flat ground to get familiar with the car's behavior, so when facing an actual slope, I won't be flustered. Safety first—make sure the car behind maintains enough distance before starting.
As an ordinary commuter driving in city rush hours every day, hill starts are as common as daily meals. I find it most stable to release the foot brake when the tachometer needle rises to around 1,500 rpm. This roughly corresponds to when the engine emits a steady roar and the car body slightly vibrates. The operation is simple: after stopping the car, shift into gear, step on the accelerator to rev up, watch the dashboard, and when the rpm reaches the target, slowly release the brake. If it doesn't succeed at first, don't rush; try a few more times to get the rhythm. Remember, the speed should not be too high, otherwise it's easy to lurch forward; too low and there's a risk of rolling back. My old car is a 1.6L, and 1,800 rpm works best, while the new car with stronger power only needs 1,600 rpm. Using the handbrake for assistance can be safer, but I'm used to using only the foot brake. Finally, I recommend beginners find a quiet slope to practice and reduce stress.
