What Does the Hill Start Assist System Mean?
2 Answers
The Hill Start Assist System, abbreviated as HAC, is a function derived from the ESP system. It allows the vehicle to maintain braking for a few seconds after the right foot leaves the brake pedal when starting on a slope without using the handbrake. This enables the driver to easily shift their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, preventing rollback and potential accidents, without causing panic. The steps to use the Hill Start Assist System are as follows: 1. Press the brake and clutch pedals firmly, ensuring the gear is in 1st position. If you press the clutch and brake first and then shift to 1st gear, the Hill Start Assist will not activate; 2. First, lightly press the brake, shift to 1st gear, release the clutch and brake slightly to let the car move forward a bit, and immediately press the clutch and brake fully to activate the Hill Start Assist; 3. When starting, after releasing the brake, the vehicle can remain stationary for 2-3 seconds, providing enough time to release the clutch and press the accelerator to move forward.
The hill start assist system is a little helper when we start driving on a slope. I remember two years ago when I was driving to a mountainous area for a trip, the car was parked on a steep slope. When I released the brake and prepared to step on the accelerator, the system automatically maintained the brake pressure for a few seconds, preventing the car from rolling backward. This gave me enough time to switch to the accelerator position without worrying about rolling back and hitting the car behind. Its principle is to detect the slope through sensors on the car and temporarily maintain the brake while you switch your foot. It's completely automatic and doesn't require pressing any buttons. Nowadays, many new cars have this feature, especially SUVs or hybrid models. It greatly reduces driving stress and the risk of accidents. Particularly for beginners or manual transmission drivers, it feels especially useful, eliminating the awkwardness and danger of starting on a slope. During regular maintenance, I also check if this system is functioning properly since it works based on the electronic brake system.