What to Do If the Car Stalls During Hill Start in Subject 2 Driving Test?
2 Answers
During hill start, when the left foot slowly releases the clutch pedal until the vehicle starts to vibrate, it should be slightly held at this position to confirm whether the vehicle has the tendency and power to move forward. Do not continue to lift the clutch pedal to prevent stalling. Relevant explanations are as follows: 1. Brake before clutch: The throttle has no travel, while the clutch does. The so-called travel refers to the process from the action taken to the effect produced. When braking, brake before clutch. 2. Avoid stalling: During the test, stepping on the clutch first is considered coasting in neutral. When the brake is continuously pressed to a certain extent, the car body will shake, indicating that due to the resistance of the brake, the engine can no longer drive the gears to rotate and perform work. At this time, the clutch needs to be pressed down to cut off the power transmission of the engine, thereby avoiding stalling.
When I first got my driver's license, I often stalled on hill starts, which made me quite nervous. The main reasons were releasing the clutch too quickly or not matching it with enough throttle, causing the car to roll back and stall. The solution is to practice the half-clutch technique properly: engage the handbrake and press the brake pedal, shift into first gear, then slowly release the clutch until you feel a slight vibration and the front of the car slightly lifts. Hold the clutch steady at this point, gently press the throttle to add some gas, keeping the RPM around 1500, and simultaneously release the handbrake to start smoothly. The whole process should be steady and unhurried—the more coordinated your movements, the less likely you are to stall. The test allows for one or two stalls, so don’t panic; just press the clutch and brake, restart the engine, and try again. Practice on slopes dozens of times to familiarize yourself with your car’s half-clutch point. During the test, take deep breaths and stay relaxed—don’t let stress disrupt your rhythm. Safety is the top priority.
