Hill starts and engine braking are key skills for safe and smooth driving, especially with heavy loads and in hilly areas.
Hill start
- Prepare with enough space behind
- Select first gear (manual) or D (auto), engage handbrake if needed
- Balance clutch and throttle; release handbrake as the car starts to pull
- In automatics, use the brake hold/hill‑start assist if equipped
Engine braking on descents
- Select a lower gear early to use engine braking
- Avoid riding the brakes; use firm, short braking if speed creeps up
- Watch temperature on long descents to prevent fade
Tips
- Anticipate traffic and gradient changes
- Keep larger gaps when fully loaded or towing
- Practice clutch control on gentle slopes