[U & I]

I drive a 1.6 Vauxhall Astra, it is quite quick, despite this I get extremely anxious when stopped on a hill when somebody else is behind me. More so when I see the following behind me

. a very expensive car
. a car with young children inside
. a car with a pensioner driver


I tried practicing on several occasions to do a hill start, today for example in the car park when it was more or less empty, I stopped on the middle of the ramp incline, put on the handbrake and began the process. I got the biting point and then applied a bit of gas (I'm not to sure how the revs work so I wasn't really checking them) once I released the handbrake I rolled back about a meter, I managed to crawl it forward to the top of the car park ramp without stalling but if a car was behind me I'd had hit it.

Its any type of hill more or less that scares me ****less, even minor hills, I hardly ever use the handbrake but realize that I will have to at some stage.



Anyone have any advice on how to overcome these fears, also any recommendations on how high my revs should be on hill starts will be appreciated.


thanks

[Michaelj]

Do you have a licence? If so, then perhaps buy an auto car? This problem won't happen then.

If your learning then lift up the clutch higher and apply a good ammount of gas... Don't forget to check your mirrors.

[Fallen]

Most importantly, take your time. It is very easy when there are cars around you to rush so as not to hold them up, but just completely ignore everyone else.

If you really can't stop yourself from rolling back, then keep applying more gas/clutch until you can feel the car pulling against the handbrake. When you release the handbrake, you will then move forwards. The worst you can do is stall the car against your handbrake (and wear your clutch out a bit faster), but at least you won't roll back.
With experience you will know exactly how much to apply to hold the car level.

I wouldn't at the rev counter. You should hear the car (and feel it if you are about to stall, the car will most likely start shaking), not rely on a number on the dashboard. Not to mention that more and more cars these days do not include rev counters.

[Solid.Snake]

When i'm doing a hill start and if i'm worried that the car may roll backwards or stall, i just make sure to use plenty of gas. At the end of the day, i'd rather over rev the car rather than roll into the back of an expensive car Hopefully, with a bit more practice and experience, you should be able to use less and less gas each time until you find that sweet spot But don't worry, it'll come with time and practice!

[Nice.Guy]

with hill starts, you need to pull the clutch up slightly higher than normal, before touching the handbrake. So get up to the biting point, then lift it up just a bit more - you should feel the back of the car start to 'crouch' down, then press the accelerator and handbrake down hope this helps - it will all come with practice

[Tobia_s]

Had roughly the same issue (but with a different car) and haven't addressed it yet as i've been driving automatic cars. Feel like it's gonna come back and bite me in the arse later though

[RinniieX]

I learnt in a 2.0 diesel mondeo the newish ones, I was PETRIFIED of hill starts so my dad took me on a sort of empty bridge near where i live where he made me drive up the hill using only the clutch and no gas to get used to where I need the clutch to be type of thing, same going down the hill! Proved really effective for me

[kumori]

as bad as it sounds, if you roll into someone they will be in the wrong in the eyes of the car insurance (as long as you don't say you rolled into them) since the person who hits the back of you are normally in the wrong

[kumori]

(Original post by RinniieX)
I learnt in a 2.0 diesel mondeo the newish ones, I was PETRIFIED of hill starts so my dad took me on a sort of empty bridge near where i live where he made me drive up the hill using only the clutch and no gas to get used to where I need the clutch to be type of thing, same going down the hill! Proved really effective for me

You will burn your clutch out faster this way

[FXX]

(Original post by kumori)
You will burn your clutch out faster this way

A little bit of practice on a slight incline to hone clutch control will not "burn the clutch out".

[RinniieX]

(Original post by kumori)
You will burn your clutch out faster this way

It lasted 10-15 minutes, and Its helped me since. Even if it did burn out the clutch faster, it would be worth it over not knowing what i'm doing.

[Joinedup]

Car park ramps are actually pretty severe inclines, it'd be the same basic technique as an ordinary hill start but you'd need lots of revs and to ease the clutch up til you really feel the car straining to pull forward (feels like the back drops downward as mentioned earlier) before you take off the handbrake.

[kumori]

(Original post by RinniieX)
It lasted 10-15 minutes, and Its helped me since. Even if it did burn out the clutch faster, it would be worth it over not knowing what i'm doing.

oh i miss read it I thought you was still doing it that way.

[Tobia_s]

(Original post by RinniieX)
I learnt in a 2.0 diesel mondeo the newish ones, I was PETRIFIED of hill starts so my dad took me on a sort of empty bridge near where i live where he made me drive up the hill using only the clutch and no gas to get used to where I need the clutch to be type of thing, same going down the hill! Proved really effective for me

Is that possible?

Except the hill wasn't that steep?

[Camoxide]

(Original post by Tobia_s)
Is that possible?

Except the hill wasn't that steep?

You can go up hills with just the clutch on petrol engines as well.


To the OP:

Just put gas on then bring the clutch up until the bonit lifts, take the handbrake off and lift the clutch up all the way.

[RinniieX]

(Original post by Tobia_s)
Is that possible?

Except the hill wasn't that steep?

Yeah its possible cause it worked! haha it pulls the car up the hill, the hill wasnt massively steep but steep enough, i use the clutch for what my dad calls 'peep and creep' too, like when you cant see around a corner you need to pull out of onto a main road from a side road, just use the clutch

[lubus]

(Original post by kumori)
You will burn your clutch out faster this way

not rly, there isnt too much toque going through the clutch at 900 rpm. doing it for 10 minutes in order to learn will result in very little, if not no wear and tear.

(Original post by RinniieX)
Yeah its possible cause it worked! haha it pulls the car up the hill, the hill wasnt massively steep but steep enough, i use the clutch for what my dad calls 'peep and creep' too, like when you cant see around a corner you need to pull out of onto a main road from a side road, just use the clutch

i wouldnt rely on using just the clutch in such situations, a little gas in order to ensure you dont accidently stall it is useful (say 1,5k rpm on a petrol)

[Ghost]

OP, just bring your revs to about 2k, raise your clutch slowly until you feel the car try to pull. At this point, when you take your handbrake off the car wont roll back. Then just lift the clutch further and away you go. Apply more revs if they begin to dip too much if the incline is too high. Just think of it in steps.

[1992LP]

Revs don't matter on hill starts, it is all about clutch control. Those saying you need a lot of revs to move off are going to destroy your clutches!

I aim to set off using no more than 1250 rpm regardless if it is a flat piece of road or a very steep hill. Works in my Mum's 1.2 Corsa, and works in my BMW 328i.

OP - took me a while to get used to it if I am honest! Just practice and it will "click". I took my car to an empty levelled car park at night and practiced on the ramps there

[Eridani]

(Original post by kumori)
as bad as it sounds, if you roll into someone they will be in the wrong in the eyes of the car insurance (as long as you don't say you rolled into them) since the person who hits the back of you are normally in the wrong

Unless they are stopped bumper to bumper, it will be the fault of the person rolling. Insurance companies aren't stupid, and any photos/witnesses will side with the person you rolled into.