How to Avoid Stalling and Rolling Back on the Slope Start in Subject 2?
4 Answers
Methods to avoid stalling and rolling back on the slope start in Subject 2: 1. Do not release the clutch pedal abruptly when stepping on the accelerator. Lift the clutch pedal slowly, as releasing it too quickly can easily cause stalling; 2. Pull the handbrake tightly and release it slowly; 3. Press the foot brake all the way down to maintain sufficient braking force; 4. Use the clutch's semi-engaged state to overcome the downhill resistance; 5. Try to use a low gear for the slope start, as the engine's traction in low gear is greater than the downhill resistance. Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The test items for cars C1 and C2 include reversing into a garage, parallel parking, slope fixed-point parking and starting, right-angle turns, and curve driving—five items in total.
I remember always stalling during my first hill start practice. Later, I realized the key lies in clutch control. Slowly release the clutch until the car body noticeably vibrates, then hold it there—don't rush to release it completely. Coordinate well with the throttle, keeping the RPM around 1500 for the most stability. If the car rolls backward, it's mostly due to insufficient power, so give it a little gas before releasing the handbrake. During practice, focus on feeling the semi-engaged state of the clutch and remember the vibration when the car shakes. Here's another tip: glance at the left rearview mirror to check reference points—rolling back more than 30 cm means an automatic fail. Don’t panic; count to three in your mind before starting. During the test, find a flat spot first to test the clutch pedal depth.
Mastering hill starts mainly involves three key points: coordinating the clutch, throttle, and handbrake. First, lift the clutch to the semi-engagement point, which is when the engine sound becomes deeper and the car body starts to vibrate. At this moment, gently pull the handbrake with your right hand, keep the clutch steady with your left foot without moving, and slowly press the throttle with your right foot until the needle points to around 1.5. Then gradually release the handbrake. If the front of the car starts to surge upward, it means the throttle is too heavy; if it shakes violently, the clutch is too high. During practice, specifically aim to align with the edge line of the slope, keeping the right wheel within 30 cm of the white line, so the car body stays straight and is less likely to roll backward. Before the test, remember to check if the handbrake is fully released—some have suffered from this oversight.
To prevent stalling, understand the vehicle's power delivery principle. Releasing the clutch too quickly without matching engine speed causes stall; lifting it too slowly leads to insufficient power and rolling back. The key is finding the friction point: press the brake, engage the handbrake, slowly release the clutch until sustained body vibration occurs, and when the tachometer noticeably dips then recovers, swiftly release the brake while applying throttle. The car should feel like it's being pulled forward correctly. Keep the steering wheel aligned with the slope's directional arrow for stability. Also, vehicles with worn clutch discs stall easily—always inspect the car's condition before practice.
