Should the clutch be fully depressed when going downhill in Subject 2?

[Cindy]

When going downhill, you can either fully depress the clutch or not, depending on your driving habits to control the speed. As long as the car doesn't stall, whether the clutch is fully depressed or not is not a big issue. Here are some additional details: 1. To be on the safe side, it's better to fully depress the clutch: Let the car coast under its own gravity and control the speed with the brake. Additionally, when going downhill, always apply the brake gently. Pressing the brake suddenly while the clutch is fully depressed can easily cause the car to stall. 2. Never coast in neutral when going downhill: Although coasting in neutral can save fuel, the car will lose the engine's braking force. In this situation, the driver needs to continuously apply the brake to reduce speed. Prolonged use of this method can lead to reduced braking performance at best, or brake failure at worst.

[VanAniyah]

Right after I passed the Subject 2 test, my instructor repeatedly reminded me never to fully depress the clutch when going downhill! That would put the car into neutral coasting mode, causing it to accelerate uncontrollably, which could lead to loss of control or stalling. During the exam, this would result in point deductions, and in severe cases, an outright failure. When practicing hill starts or descending slopes, we should use the brake to slow down while keeping the clutch slightly engaged in semi-engagement. This maintains some connection between the wheels and the engine, allowing for smooth control. I was praised several times during my driving lessons for developing this habit, and it gave me a solid sense of security. Remember, examiners pay close attention to these details—safety always comes first. Cultivating good habits like this also applies to everyday driving, especially when descending steep slopes. Never get lazy and coast in neutral.

[LeSebastian]

As a driving student, I used to think that fully depressing the clutch downhill would make things easier, but after trying it, I realized it doesn't work. Once, I almost hit a railing, fortunately, the instructor reminded me in time. If the clutch is fully depressed downhill, the vehicle loses engine braking and slides down quickly like skating, which can easily lead to accidents. Now, I always gently tap the brakes to control speed and slightly engage the clutch in semi-engagement, feeling much safer. The Category 2 test places special emphasis on this—if you coast in neutral, the examiner will definitely deduct points. I recommend everyone practice downhill scenarios more at the training ground, using the brakes as the main control and not relying on the clutch. With driving, getting the basics right from the start makes things easier later on.

[GabrielleFitz]

Depressing the clutch pedal fully on a downhill slope is equivalent to coasting in neutral, which is extremely dangerous. The clutch's function is to connect the engine to the drive wheels; fully depressing it disengages the power, relying solely on gravity for acceleration, potentially leading to loss of control. In the Category 2 driving test, this is a violation and may result in point deductions or failure. You should use the brakes to decelerate, with the clutch assisting in semi-engagement to maintain a safe speed. Remember, developing this habit is also beneficial for everyday driving.