What are the key points of hill start?
3 Answers
Hill start is part of the driving license test (Subject 2), which involves starting a vehicle parked on a steep slope to move upward. When learning manual transmission hill start techniques, trainees should first engage the handbrake, press the accelerator to reach at least 2000 RPM, then gradually release the clutch until the RPM drops to around 1000. Different tasks in Subject 2 have different deduction criteria. Details are as follows: 1. General deductions: Not wearing a seatbelt, not closing the door properly, or failing to put the gear in neutral when starting the engine will result in a 100-point deduction. Not using turn signals, using them for less than 3 seconds, forgetting to turn them off, or incorrect usage, as well as stalling the engine, will each deduct 10 points. 2. Parallel parking: If the vehicle crosses the line after stopping in the parking space or exceeds the 90-second time limit, 100 points will be deducted. Failing to use or incorrectly using turn signals when exiting the parking space will also deduct 100 points. Touching the parking space lines with the body or the lane edges with the wheels during movement will deduct 10 points each time, and stopping for more than 2 seconds will deduct 5 points each time. 3. Reverse parking: Exceeding the 210-second time limit, not following the prescribed route or sequence, failing to drive the front wheels past the control line before reversing, or failing to park properly will each deduct 100 points. Stopping for more than 2 seconds will deduct 5 points each time. 4. Curve driving: Driving over the edge line or stopping for more than 2 seconds will each deduct 100 points.
I remember being particularly nervous about hill starts when I first learned to drive. The key is not to panic about rolling backward. First, firmly press the clutch pedal and shift into first gear, then engage the handbrake to ensure the car is stable. Gradually press the accelerator, and when you feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel or the car body, that’s the semi-engagement point. Don’t rush to release the handbrake yet—keep the accelerator steady to hold the car. Then, slowly release the clutch while simultaneously releasing the handbrake, and the start will be successful. If the car moves but then stops or rolls back a bit, immediately press the clutch and brake again to restart. Beginners are advised to practice several times on gentle slopes to find the balance between the accelerator and clutch. Coordinate your movements slowly and don’t rush. Mastering this skill in a manual transmission can help avoid many awkward situations, especially in traffic jams or on mountain roads.
Having driven a manual transmission for over a decade, hill starts are second nature to me. The key is sensing that clutch bite point—I can manage without the handbrake. I simply engage first gear, depress the clutch while quickly applying throttle to raise engine RPM, then release the clutch until feeling slight body vibration before releasing the handbrake (or operating both simultaneously). Throttle application varies with gradient: gentle slopes require modest input, while steep inclines demand decisive power to prevent rollback. Avoid abruptly releasing the clutch when nervous—that's a surefire stall. With regular practice, this becomes instinctive, preventing embarrassing stalls at uphill traffic lights that compromise traffic flow and safety.
