Downhill starts

When moving off downhill, gravity provides the power to get the car moving.

Many drivers have never been taught the routine for moving off downhill, but just like uphill starts there is a specific routine.

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 gear
• Apply 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 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.

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