Automatic transmission on steep hills
How to handle an automatic transmission on steep hills with better control and less stress.
Many people think an automatic transmission makes hills easier by itself. In practice, you still need to understand how the car uses gears, engine braking and the brakes if you want good control in steep terrain.
What you need to know
- Automatic transmissions often need support from manual gear-selection functions on long hills.
- Downhill sections require more planning than simply braking on the way down.
- Hill starts with an automatic are easier, but not without routine and control.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Long downhill section | Select a lower gear or a drive mode that helps with engine braking. | Coasting for too long and braking excessively all the way down. |
| Steep uphill with a stop | Hold the car calmly on the brake and build smooth forward motion. | Using too much throttle and creating a rushed start. |
| Twisting hill road | Plan your speed before the bend, not in the bend. | Trusting the automatic gearbox without reading the hill. |
Common mistakes
- Thinking the automatic gearbox always chooses the optimal gear in demanding hills.
- Using the brake so much that you lose margins or overheat it.
- Forgetting that cargo and passengers affect the car’s response.
How to practice
Read this together with Hill-start assist and AutoHold , Using automatic transmission PRNDB and Hill starts and engine braking .