On your driving test, when performing a downhill start, the examiner will expect you to:
Move off safely and under control on a gradient, use the MSM routine, check your blind spot for traffic and pedestrians, make balanced use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering, use the appropriate gear, avoid rolling back.
Driving Downhill
The danger here is that driving down hill can make your car pick up unwanted speed. Slowing your car down by only using the brakes isn't best practice as this can overheat the brakes making them lose effectiveness. You should also use the engine brake. Do this by changing into a lower gear. The steeper the hill the lower the gear.
Remember when driving downhill your stopping distance increases especially if the road is wet. The risk of skidding also increases so engage your brakes gently and try and leave a four second gap between you and any vehicle in front.
Parking On a Hill
Make sure your handbrake is firmly engaged. If facing downhill turn the front wheels into the kerb and put the car into reverse gear. If facing uphill turn the wheels away from the kerb and engage first gear. |
