When you drive uphill, the force of gravity opposes the movement of the vehicle. Depending on the type of transmission - automatic or manual - there are different methods to prevent the car from rolling back, as each type of car operates differently. After some practice you will be able to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards uphill.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Car with Manual Transmission
Step 1. Stop completely
When driving on an incline, you must stop the vehicle by keeping the brake pedal pressed or by using the parking pedal; you have to do it both uphill and downhill.
Some drivers prefer to use the handbrake because this way they are free to use their right foot on the accelerator pedal when they have to resume driving
Step 2. Use the hill start assist device if possible
Many modern cars with manual gearboxes are equipped with this device, which prevents backward movement when stopping uphill and also proves very useful during the starting phase. If your vehicle has this feature, it should activate automatically without pressing any buttons.
- Sensors automatically detect the slope and the system maintains pressure on the brake pedal for a set period to help you as you move your foot on the accelerator.
- Keep in mind that this option does not increase grip; if the conditions are unfavorable or the road is slippery, the car may still roll back a bit.
Step 3. Engage first gear
When the time comes to resume driving, select the first gear and press the accelerator pedal.
Hold the pressure until the engine reaches around 3000 rpm
Step 4. Release the clutch pedal only to the point where it still holds your grip
You should feel the front of the vehicle rise slightly as the clutch is offsetting the weight of the vehicle.
Step 5. Slowly release the handbrake
Gradually deactivate it as you slowly lift your foot off the clutch pedal.
As soon as the handbrake is deactivated and released, the vehicle should start moving
Step 6. Slowly take your foot off the clutch pedal while paying attention to the engine noise
When you feel it is getting weaker, apply more pressure to the gas pedal; at this point you should be able to drive the vehicle uphill without making it back up.
Remember to release the pedal until the clutch fully engages
Step 7. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal if you cannot use the parking pedal
If the handbrake does not work, press the brake pedal with your right heel and use your toe to operate the accelerator pedal. You can release the pedal in place of the hand lever as you lift your foot off the clutch.
If the parking brake is inoperable, take the car to the mechanic for repair; relying only on the transmission to keep the car stationary causes it to wear out and can damage the engine
Method 2 of 3: Auto Transmission Car
Step 1. Keep your foot on the brake pedal
If you are waiting for the light to turn green, do not release the brake pressure to prevent the vehicle from rolling back; in this way you make sure that the car is completely stopped and that it does not roll back.
If you have to stand still for a while, move the shift lever to neutral, but never take your foot off the brake
Step 2. Select the "Drive" report (D)
If you have previously decided to put the transmission in neutral, you must return it to the forward gear and gently press the accelerator pedal while releasing the brake pedal smoothly.
Act quickly as you move your right foot from pedal to pedal to prevent the car from rolling backwards. It is quite normal for the car to move backwards a few inches, but it is important that you are aware of the presence of other cars or people behind you in this transition phase
Step 3. Drive the car forward
It is much easier to prevent the vehicle from rolling back uphill when it is equipped with an automatic gearbox rather than a manual one. When you are ready to go after coming to a complete stop, you need to make the transition as smooth as possible. Press the accelerator pedal about halfway or less if there are vehicles in front of you.
Depending on the slope of the climb, it may be necessary to press harder than necessary on flat routes
Method 3 of 3: Parked Car on Uphill
Step 1. Park parallel as you usually do
The car is much more likely to roll back when parked on an uphill slope than when parked on a level surface.
Since this parking maneuver is more difficult when you are on sloping roads, you need to be quite skilled and confident in your skills to perform it
Step 2. Spin the wheels
After parking on a hill, rotate the tires away from the curb or curb. This way the car simply leans against the curb instead of backing down the slope in case the gear or parking brake goes off.
If you parked on a hill, turn the tires to the right so they are facing the curb
Step 3. If your car has a manual gearbox, select a gear
Engage first or reverse gear after putting the car in the parking space.
Leaving the car with the gear in neutral increases the likelihood that it will reverse or advance
Step 4. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, move the lever to "park" (P)
In this case, you must select the "parking" function after placing the car on the pitch.
- Keep your foot on the brake pedal until you have fully engaged the parking pedal and moved the gear lever to the "P" position.
- If you leave the transmission in "Drive" (D) you could damage it; some cars are equipped with a security system so you cannot remove the key until you select the parking mode.
Step 5. Activate the parking brake
You can do this in all cars, regardless of the type of transmission; this is the safest way to prevent the vehicle from moving when parked on a sloping road.
Step 6. Use a wedge
If the climb is very steep, you can use one of these devices to stabilize the car and prevent it from rolling back. A wedge, or wedge, is nothing more than a block of wood or other heavy material that you can wedge behind a rear wheel.
- You can buy it online, in auto parts stores or in better-stocked supermarkets; you can also make some handcrafted ones using a piece of wood.
- If you parked on a hill, put the wedge under a front wheel.
Step 7. Drive safely
When you are ready to leave the parking lot and resume driving, you must remove the wedge (if you have used it) and deactivate the parking brake. When exiting an uphill parking lot, you must keep your foot on the brake pedal until you are certain that you can safely get back into circulation.
- Once you can get out of the parking lot you can gradually shift your foot from the brake pedal to the gas pedal. You need to make sure that the transition is smooth, otherwise you risk retreating and hitting the curb or the vehicle behind you.
- Be sure to check the mirrors before leaving the parking lot.
Advice
- You should practice in rural or low-traffic areas until you get a good dexterity, rather than finding yourself at an uphill traffic light with all the other drivers behind you honking.
- Keep a wheel chock in the trunk - you never know when you'll need it.
Warnings
- Always check your mirrors while parking uphill; there may be objects or people right in the blind spots.
- Proceed with extreme caution when you stop on a hill because the presence of another vehicle behind you greatly reduces the margin if the car moves backwards.
