What gear should be used when going uphill in an underground garage?

[MacJulia]

When going up a steep slope in an underground parking garage, use second gear. The gear used for a manual transmission car when going uphill is related to both the vehicle speed and the slope gradient. For steeper slopes, a lower gear such as 2nd or 3rd should be selected (depending on the current speed). High-displacement vehicles can also use third gear with increased throttle to climb, while small-displacement vehicles should use second gear to ensure sufficient traction. Below are the gear usage recommendations for different slope gradients: 1. For high-displacement vehicles and gentle slopes, drivers can use 2nd or 3rd gear for climbing. 2. For low-displacement vehicles and gentle slopes, second gear should suffice, and third gear may not be necessary for some slopes—lower gears are adequate. 3. For very steep slopes, regardless of the vehicle's displacement, it is recommended to use first gear for climbing, as first gear provides the maximum torque. If a slope cannot be climbed in first gear, other gears will not help either.

[VonLaura]

For manual transmissions, you basically use 1st or 2nd gear to climb underground garage ramps. It mainly depends on the slope—steeper ones require 1st gear to give the engine more power and prevent the car from rolling back. If you're entering the garage at a higher speed, 2nd gear provides a smoother climb. The key is to shift gears in advance—if you wait until halfway up and the power isn't enough, it's troublesome, and stalling would be a nightmare. For automatic transmissions, it's simpler: just keep it in D or switch to L/S mode for stronger torque. Remember not to tailgate too closely on slopes, especially when starting mid-slope—rolling back could drive the car behind you crazy with honking.

[OBrooke]

With over a decade of experience driving manual transmission, I find using 2nd gear the most stable for underground garage slopes. Although 1st gear has more power, the high RPMs sound harsh and make me worry about the car. The key is coordinating the clutch with the accelerator - when releasing the clutch, press the accelerator slightly deeper than during normal starts, keeping engine RPM around 1500 for safety, otherwise the car may shudder or stall. Be extra cautious on slopes with card reader barriers - slow down in advance and maintain distance. Even cars with auto-hold assist require attention; sometimes the system doesn't activate on slopes, and when you move your foot to the accelerator, the brake releases suddenly, causing the car to roll back dozens of centimeters - enough to give you a cold sweat.

[HaydenLynn]

Beginners should remember three things when climbing a slope: shift into gear before entering the slope, choose 1st or 2nd gear depending on the steepness; keep the right foot steady on the accelerator while lifting the left foot off the clutch; never shift gears midway. For automatic cars, switch to manual mode and lock in a low gear if the slope is particularly steep to avoid sudden upshifting and loss of power halfway up. Most new cars now come with hill-start assist, which holds the car for two seconds when you release the brake on a slope—use this time to quickly press the accelerator. However, for steep 30-degree slopes like those in old residential areas, stay alert and placing a "new driver" sticker on the rear window is safer.