How to Find the Starting Point on a Slope?
2 Answers
The right front and rear wheels of the vehicle should be within 30 centimeters of the side line. There is usually an arrow on the slope's surface that you can use as a guide; align your vehicle with the arrow's position and drive up. It is essential to ensure that the vehicle's front bumper is positioned in the middle of the yellow line for the designated parking spot, and the bumper must not extend beyond or fall short of the yellow line by more than 50 centimeters. After completing the maneuver, descending the slope is straightforward. Try to stay as close to the center as possible, fully release the clutch, and only lightly apply the brakes.
When I used to drive a manual transmission car, the point for hill starts was controlled by the clutch's half-engagement. You need to find a safe, gentle slope to practice, such as a parking lot ramp. After pressing the brake pedal and releasing it, slowly lift the clutch pedal. When you feel the car body slightly vibrate and the engine sound becomes muffled, stop lifting—that's the half-engagement point. Then gently press the accelerator a little, stabilize, and release the brake, and the car won't roll back. The key is patience: lifting the clutch too quickly can stall the engine, while too slowly might cause the car to roll. It took me several tries to get the feel, like a small earthquake signal under my foot reminding me to stop. Remember to try multiple times—once you find the right point, hill starts will go smoothly, and you won’t feel nervous, ensuring driving safety.