Should You Release the Clutch or the Brake First When Starting on a Slope?

[DelAva]

After stopping on a slope, when starting again, you should first release the clutch to the semi-engaged state before starting to release the brake; otherwise, the vehicle will roll backward. The correct procedure for starting on a slope involves maintaining the proper driving posture, paying attention to various traffic conditions ahead, and avoiding looking down. Below is an introduction to the content of the Subject 3 driving test: 1. The road driving skills test for Subject 3 generally includes: preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and night driving. 2. The safe and civilized driving knowledge test generally includes: requirements for safe and civilized driving operations, safe driving knowledge under adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods for situations like tire blowouts, and knowledge of post-accident procedures.

[VioletMarie]

I've been driving for almost twenty years, and hill starts are a piece of cake for me. The key isn't just releasing anything randomly; it's about coordinating the movements. I always gently lift the clutch first, slowly raising it until I feel the car slightly vibrate or the engine sound becomes heavier—that's when the clutch reaches the engagement point. Then, I release the brake while pressing the accelerator a bit, and the car steadily moves up the slope without any rollback. If you release the brake first, the car might roll back, which can be startling and even risk scratching others. I made mistakes when I was a beginner too, but now I'm experienced. I recommend practicing finding the clutch point on flat ground first; once you're familiar with it, hill starts become much easier. Safety comes first—don't rush, be patient. This habit also protects the clutch and extends its lifespan. Practice a few times, and you'll naturally get the hang of it.

[LaAlan]

Back when I was learning to drive, the instructor would drill the hill-start sequence into me every day: 'Keep the brake firmly pressed and don’t move. Slowly release the clutch with your left foot, lifting it patiently until you feel a slight shudder in the car, then hold it there. Next, release the brake with your right foot and immediately press the accelerator lightly to match. Never release the brake first, or the car will roll back dangerously.' My heart pounded like a drum during my initial trial-and-error attempts—thankfully, nothing went wrong. Later, practicing on the driving school’s small slope, I found using the handbrake as an extra aid worked even better: pull the handbrake, release the clutch to the shudder point, then release the handbrake and press the accelerator. This method gives new drivers more peace of mind. Practice is key—find a quiet slope and repeat the process without rushing. Driving skills are built this way. Stick with it, and it’ll become second nature.

[DeAshlyn]

On the way to dropping off my child at school, there's a slope. Being used to driving a manual transmission, when starting, I firmly press the brake without releasing it. I gently lift the clutch pedal with my left foot, the movement must be soft, until the front of the car slightly rises or the engine vibrates slightly—this is called finding the biting point. Only then do I slowly release the brake and add a bit of throttle, allowing the car to smoothly ascend the slope. In the past, I rushed it—releasing the brake first caused the car to slide back, nearly leading to an accident. That was a profound lesson. Now, operating this way every time is much safer. Easy to remember: clutch to the biting point first, then release the brake. With kids in the car, safety is even more important. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. I recommend practicing on small slopes daily to avoid letting nervousness cause mistakes.