How to Start Your Car on a Hill Quickly

Co-authored by Ibrahim Onerli

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References Approved

This can be a valuable lesson for when you are first learning to drive a car with manual transmission (or "stick" shift). Hopefully, it will keep you from hitting the car behind you when you're starting on a steep hill. This can be applied to automatics as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Novice

1
Remember that once you have stopped completely, pull up the emergency brake.^{[1]
X
Research source} Remove your foot off of the manual brake when you go to press the accelerator to keep your car from rolling backwards until you start moving.
2
Press on the accelerator (and remove your other foot from the clutch) just as you would normally. The car will soon feel like it is wanting to move forward.^{[2]
X
Research source}
3
Feel that the car is just about to move forward, keep accelerating slowly while at the same time removing the emergency brake.^{[3]
X
Research source} By removing the brake at the right time, your car will already have the power it needs from the accelerator to move up the hill without the emergency brake needing to be on to keep it from rolling backwards.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Expert

1
Press the clutch down just enough to allow the engine to return to normal idle speed.
2

Keep your right toes on the brake pedal, and turn your right foot inward so that your right heel is on the gas.^{[4]
X
Research source} By tilting your right foot in this position, you are able to depress the accelerator with your right heel while keeping the brake pedal engaged with your toes.
3
Watch as the light changes, then press on the gas with your right heel and slowly let the clutch out.^{[5]
X
Research source} Shortly after beginning this maneuver, remove your right toes from the brake pedal.
4
The engine will rev, and the vehicle will begin to move forward. Once you have some forward momentum, move your right foot so that it is in a natural position on the gas pedal. You may need to press the clutch back in momentarily at this point. With some practice, you should be able to work all three pedals with just two feet, reduce engine revs to a minimum, and avoid jerking the clutch.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Expert for steep slope

Here is a no panic method, requiring lots of practice.

1
Press both the clutch and the brake pedal.
2
Do not release the brakes. Release the clutch slowly halfway until you feel vibrations (namely, until you feel like the car is trying to move forward). Observe the tachometer rev; it goes somewhere below 1000.
3
Hold the clutch in the same position. Release the brake pedal (the car does not move anywhere).
4
Press the accelerator pedal. Release the clutch gradually and you'll be off.

Community Q&A
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Question

What gear should I use when driving uphill?

Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
Ibrahim Onerli is the Partner and Manager of Revolution Driving School, a New York City-based driving school with a mission to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over 8 driving instructors and specializes in defensive driving and stick shift driving.

Ibrahim Onerli

Driving Instructor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you're using an automatic car, use D (or D1 if your car has multiple options). For a manual car, you would use gear 1.
Question

How can I prevent rolling back on a hill in an automatic car?

Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
Ibrahim Onerli is the Partner and Manager of Revolution Driving School, a New York City-based driving school with a mission to make the world a better place by teaching safe driving. Ibrahim trains and manages a team of over 8 driving instructors and specializes in defensive driving and stick shift driving.

Ibrahim Onerli

Driving Instructor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Fortunately, automatic transmission cars don't easily roll back. If they do, it's usually only a little bit. However, you can use the handbrake for extra security.
Question

Can I use method 3 with a petrol car?

Community Answer

Yes you can. Method 3 is the best and easiest, but needs practice to feel the car vibrations under high volume music. Your shoes also matter.
Question

Every time I stop, before I go, the car will jerk or stall. What can I do?

Community Answer

Remember to hold the clutch all the way in while braking to stop completely.
Question

Which is used first: the hand brake or neutral gear?

Community Answer

The hand brake.
Question

In Method 3, Step 3, where it says to press on the accelerator and slowly release the clutch, does that mean to put the accelerator pedal right to the floor?

Community Answer

No. Press it more than you would when starting off on a flat surface. If the hill is steeper or there is more load in the car, you may need to press it more. Generally around 2,000 to 3,000 RPM on the tachometer is good.
Question

How do I do a hill start without using a handbrake?

Community Answer

This is possible, but more risky. You now rely on the clutch to act as the handbrake. This means that timing clutch throttle and brake gets critical or you probably run downhill. The only way to master this is to practice in a safe location. Note that your clutch does not 'like' this solution. It will wear out more quickly. Fitting a new clutch is a lot more expensive than fitting new brake pads!

Warnings

This can be really bad for your clutch and brake. Only do it if you really need to!

Thanks!
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Make sure that your emergency brake is in good condition. For example, on normal roads, can you drive your car forward with the emergency brake up? If so, it's time to get it tightened. This is important, obviously, so that the emergency brake can be sure to hold the car in place when you have removed your foot from the manual brake. Otherwise, your car may slip a little on a steep hill, even with the emergency brake up while you are accelerating.

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