Why does the car stall when going uphill in Subject 2?
4 Answers
Reasons for stalling when going uphill in Subject 2: 1. The clutch is released too quickly during starting, and the throttle is not synchronized; 2. During semi-engagement starting, if the handbrake is not released when the semi-engagement point is reached, the vehicle will stall. The correct way to depress the clutch is to place the ball of the left foot on the clutch pedal and use the extension and flexion of the knee and ankle joints to press down. When depressing the clutch pedal, the action should be swift, pressing all the way down to achieve complete separation. Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The test items for small cars C1 and C2 include reversing into a garage, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving on a curve (some regions also include a sixth item: high-speed card collection).
Stalling on uphill slopes is a common issue during the Subject 2 driving test. I encountered it frequently when teaching my neighbor's kid to drive recently. The main problem lies in improper clutch control: releasing the clutch too quickly on the first attempt causes the car to jerk twice and stall, or not lifting it high enough results in lingering at the friction point without sufficient power. Another issue is failing to coordinate with the throttle—many learners focus solely on their left foot and forget to add gas promptly with their right foot. Some also release the handbrake too early, causing the car to roll back before gaining enough traction. During the test, it's best to press the brake before the uphill section, gently apply some throttle while finding the clutch's biting point, and only release the handbrake when the car noticeably vibrates. Remember to maintain steady clutch control on the slope and avoid lifting it too quickly.
Stalling during the hill start in Subject 2 is mostly due to poor coordination between the clutch and throttle. When I was practicing, my instructor always emphasized three steps: first, reach the semi-engagement point where you feel slight steering wheel vibration, then gently press the throttle with your right foot to raise the tachometer to around 2000 RPM, and finally release the handbrake slowly. Many people get nervous and linger too long at the semi-engagement point, which overheats the clutch, or they release the handbrake too abruptly. A useful trick is to watch the car's hood—when the front edge rises to the marker position, it's time to act. Additionally, thick-soled shoes can affect pedal feel, so it's recommended to wear flat shoes. Exam cars usually have low idle speeds, so you must compensate with throttle—relying solely on the clutch will definitely cause a stall.
The core issue of stalling on the slope during Subject 2 is insufficient power. I passed it on my third attempt and found two key points: first, not giving extra throttle during the half-clutch state—exam cars are different from old Santanas, and they will definitely stall without throttle input; second, keeping eyes fixed on the dashboard instead of observing the relationship between the lower edge of the left rearview mirror and the marker pole. You should start preparing when the wheels are 30 cm away from the solid line. In fact, you can press the throttle harder than you think—it's normal to rev a 1.5L engine to 1500-2000 rpm. Remember to keep your left foot steady during hill starts, and release the handbrake decisively with your right hand. The worst thing is hesitating to find the reference point, which may cause the car to roll back.
