Should You Press the Clutch When Starting on a Downhill in First Gear?

[LaAsher]

When starting on a downhill in first gear, there is no need to press the clutch. Instead, you should utilize the engine braking effect of first gear. The correct downhill operation involves: 1. Downshifting in advance, selecting an appropriate gear based on the slope's gradient and length. Choose a lower gear for gentle slopes and downshift one gear for steeper slopes. 2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal at all times to control speed by gently applying the brakes when the vehicle accelerates. It is important to avoid coasting in neutral, which primarily occurs in two scenarios: not engaging any gear or depressing the clutch. In these cases, the engine's braking effect is lost, vehicle controllability decreases, and excessive wear on the clutch system may occur, potentially leading to damage such as burnt pressure plates or bearings.