Hills: Step 5

Unit Three Subject 8 - Hills: Step 5 - Downhill Starts

Unit 3 - Basic Skills:
Home page

1 - Show/Tell:
1. Overview

2 - Drivers Eyesight:
1. Introduction
2. Eye checks
3. Eyesight problems
4. Project

3 - Cockpit Drill:
1. Introduction
2. The drill
3. Explanation

4 - Moving off:
1. Introduction
2. The basics
3. POM Introduction
4. Prepare
5. Observe
6. Move
7. Brake tests
8. Stopping
9. Summary
10. Project

5 - Using Gears:
1. Introduction
2. Observation
3. Selective gear changing
4. Smooth changes

6 - Hazard Routine:
1. Introduction
2. Easy starting point
3. Mirrors
4. Signals
5. Manoeuvre
6. Project

7 - Junctions:
1. Introduction
2. Emerging
3. Approaching
4. Approaching right
5. Crossroads
6. Roundabouts

8 - Hills:
1. Introduction
2. Downhill safety
3. Parking
4. Uphill starts
5. Downhill starts

9 - Emergency Stop:
1. Introduction
2. The method
3. Skids
4. The driving test
5. Project

DRIVING HOME PAGE

Downhill starts

We have included downhill starts here because unlike uphill starts many drivers have either never been taught a specific procedure or never analysed the procedure. A set method will help you to move off safely during your ADI test and to easily teach the manoeuvre to learners.

The video above shows the Watch, Learn, Drive advice about downhill starts for learner drivers.

The easiest way to start off downhill is secure the car with the footbrake before the handbrake is released. Because gravity supplies the energy to move, you won't need the gas pedal.

The routine is as follows:

Select the appropriate gearApply the footbrake

Release the handbrake

Make your safety checks

Signal if required

Release the footbrake (progressively)

Engage the clutch

When you release the footbrake the car will start to roll, and you can then start to engage the clutch as quickly as necessary to take up the drive without jerks and without allowing the car to coast (run on with the clutch pedal pressed down).

The gear will depend on the steepness of the hill. Normally this will be first or second. It's unlikely that you would need to use third gear – if a hill was steep enough to warrant third gear you would probably want to use second gear to maintain initial control. However, the situation will determine your actions.

There is no project for this section.

Next: The emergency stop