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Downhill starts

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

To take advantage of this you need to press the footbrake before you release the handbrake; this will prevent the car from rolling down the hill.

When you release the footbrake the car will start to roll, and you can then bring up the clutch and press the gas pedal (if necessary).

If the hill is quite steep it may be appropriate to move off in second gear; your instructor will advise about making the decision about which gear to use.

The method:

Clutch down
Select the appropriate gear
Press the footbrake
Release the handbrake
Make you observation checks
Signal if required

Release the footbrake

Bring the clutch up smoothly

When releasing the footbrake take care to control the speed.

On a slight gradient you might need to release the footbrake fully, however on a steeper hill it might be necessary to release the footbrake gradually while engaging the clutch.

 
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