What are the reasons for the car rolling back in Subject 2?
4 Answers
There are two main reasons for the car rolling back in Subject 2: rolling backward and stalling. Below are detailed explanations and solutions: 1. Rolling backward: When parking on a slope, even if the handbrake is pulled, the car may roll backward once the foot brake is released, which is caused by the handbrake not being tightened sufficiently. Solution: To prevent the car from rolling backward. When starting the vehicle, slowly release the clutch with the left foot. When the front of the car noticeably shakes, gradually release the brake with the right foot. Once the brake is fully released, slightly lift the clutch a little more with the left foot and hold it steady. Then, release the handbrake with the right hand, and the car will start moving forward. 2. Stalling: When starting the car on a slope, if the left foot releases the clutch too quickly, the car will stall. Releasing the clutch too quickly is the root cause of engine stalling. Solution: To prevent the car from stalling. When starting the vehicle, the left foot must slowly release the clutch and pause at the semi-engaged position. Once the clutch reaches the semi-engaged position, keep it steady, then gradually release the brake with the right foot.
I've seen so many cases of cars rolling back on the slope during Subject 2 test, mostly due to poor clutch control. Many students get nervous, release the brake too quickly while the clutch hasn't reached the semi-engaged position yet - without power, the car will inevitably roll back. Others lift the clutch too high and stall the engine directly. When I was teaching, I noticed students often made the mistake of only watching the dashboard while ignoring the changes in engine sound. Actually, you should only release the brake when you feel the car vibrating steadily. Also, the clutch travel of exam cars might differ from practice cars, and sudden switch can cause mistakes. If you can't start within 30 seconds after stopping on the slope, the system will automatically fail you - which adds more pressure and makes mistakes more likely.
I remember when I took the second driving test, I rolled back twice on the slope. To sum it up, there were just two issues: poor coordination between the clutch and brake, and unsteady operation. Either the left foot lifted the clutch to the semi-engaged position while the right foot released the brake too slowly, causing the car to shudder and not move; or the brake was released too quickly while the clutch was still halfway engaged. The instructor always emphasized feeling the moment when the car's front slightly rises before releasing the brake, but when nervous, everything else was forgotten. There were also common mistakes like forgetting to release the handbrake in a panic or mistaking the accelerator for the brake. Looking back now, the key was to break down the starting steps: first lift the clutch and wait for the car body to shake for two seconds, then slowly release the brake.
Stalling in the Second Driving Test is mechanically simple: the vehicle's traction force doesn't exceed the downhill force on the slope. The most common issue for beginners is poor pedal feel—releasing the brake before the clutch plates fully engage. Uncomfortable seat adjustment in the test car, causing the foot to dangle without proper leverage, is another reason. Once, I saw a candidate wearing thick-soled shoes during the test, unable to gauge the clutch depth accurately. Abnormal tire pressure also plays a role; underinflated tires reduce friction, causing wheel spin and skidding during startup—releasing the brake at this point guarantees stalling. If it rains on test day, it's best to dry the shoe soles beforehand, as wet rubber surfaces are especially slippery.
