Do You Need to Press the Accelerator When Reversing?
2 Answers
Reversing does not require pressing the accelerator because the speed is very low during reversing. However, when adjusting speed during reversing, you should use the brake, as improper braking can cause the engine to stall. Therefore, reversing requires a combination of clutch and brake to control the speed. For manual transmission vehicles, under normal circumstances, you do not need to press the accelerator when reversing. As long as the clutch is used to control the speed, you can reverse into a parking space. However, there are special situations, such as when reversing on a slope, where you may need to give a little throttle to avoid stalling the car. If you are driving an automatic transmission car, you can use idle speed during reversing, and generally, there is no need to press the accelerator. Whether driving a manual or automatic transmission car, during reversing, you can use the car's reversing camera and rearview mirrors to observe obstacles around the car at all times to avoid collisions.
When I was learning to drive, my instructor repeatedly reminded me not to randomly press the accelerator when reversing in an automatic transmission car. On flat ground, there's no need to press the accelerator at all—just release the brake and the car will move slowly on its own. Only when reversing on a slope is it necessary to lightly tap the accelerator, but you must be especially careful to control the pressure. If you press it too hard, the car can lurch backward suddenly, which is very dangerous. Last time I was reversing out of the garage, I forgot there was a stone pillar behind me and almost hit it. Actually, making good use of the rearview mirror and reversing camera, and moving slowly is the safest approach. Nowadays, new cars come with an auto-hold function, making reversing on slopes even more convenient.
