I live in San Fran... lots of hills. I have learned of 4 methods for hill starts and just wondering what others use. I have included some descriptions from a web site

Method One: Quick Transfer


This is the same as a normal start, except that the sequence is done quickly. As soon as the brake is released, the car will start to roll back. The clutch doesn't affect the movement of the car until the pedal is at the friction point. So the solution is to bring up the clutch as quickly as possible to the friction point, as soon as the brake is released. At the same time, the right foot needs to get to the gas pedal quickly as well. Once there, the two pedals balance each other while the car stops rolling back and begins to roll forward.

Method Two: Clutch Technique


With this method, you should bring up the clutch to the friction point before you release the brake. Once there (you'll feel pressure from the engine to move the car, plus a slight drop in RPM's) you can release the brake. The car should not roll back too far; in fact, it may even roll forward a little bit. Add gas, and balance the pedals for a smooth start. The drawback to this method is the high risk of stalling, especially if you don't find the friction point accurately enough, and also unnecessary wear on the clutch.

Method Three: Parking Brake Method

Method Four: Heel & Toe

Method 1 is just too scary for me on anything with a real incline. # 2 is what I have been using and #3 after I have screwed up!

Any help or input would be appreciated.

 

The only method I use now is #1 but there's a trick to getting good at it. PRACTICE. I've been driving stick for 20 years...

 

method 5


move out of SF to the flat lands, u got to be crazy to drive them there hills. :D

 

They are rough... I have done my best to avoid them for the few weeks I have had the car but the time has come.

Just an average joe trying to make it up a hill :D

 

Was that a pun lol?

I stick it in neutral when I'm on a hill, and then whenever the light turns green, I heel-n-toe it, but not too quickly, or you'll jerk. Practice, practice, practice!

 

While I live in Davis, CA where it is very flat (thank god), I'm often in San Francisco to visit family. Since my Rx-8 is the first manual I've owned - meaning I only have 6 months of manual driving experience - I'm still using the emergency brake method. Works wonders....but I can't help feel that I look stupid doing it. Practice it is....

 

For me it depends on the steepness of the hill - if it's not very steep, then #1 or #2 (which IMO are basically the same thing except speed of execution) - if the incline is enough I'll use the handbrake method, which was a mandatory component of the driving test where I grew up. (ie: if you couldnt do a hill-start using the handbrake you didn't get your license). I don't think there's anything silly about the handbrake method - it's smooth and much less likely you'll roll back or stall the car, so in the long run it's probably less silly.

 

I think I should start using the handbrake method... for awhile. I had no idea when I got the 8 that driving would be stressful for the first time in 14 years! I need to thrash my dear old mon and dad for teaching me on an automatic

 

I use #1, if the slope is very steep then you might need to use #3 to be on the safe side.

 

heel & toeing is the smoothest method, and once you get good it is fairly easy to get virtually no roll-back

 

yea i'm for heel toeing even though i'm not super good at it, I used it on my driveway and its a whole lot better than method 1-3.

 

I always go with Method 2 + Method 4

I hate Method 3 when I first tried that out. I always stall that way. Well, I wasn't good at feeling the clutch at that time anyways. Maybe I'm better this time.

 

0MG 9o0oRpM 1337 ClUtCh Dr0p R0X0RZ pWnZ j00!!! :D

Or method #1, whichever comes first..

 

I hate going to s.f. in a manual. Everytime I go, I used method #1. The first time I was on a hill with a manual in s.f., I stalled of coursed, then I gunned it and let go of the clutch.. boy that was scary cuz I came very close to the car in front of me VERY fast... That made me look stupid more than if I were to used the hand brake method.

 

Method 1 for me. No shame in method 3 if the hill is super steep.

Don't like method 2, because feels like I'm abusing the clutch unless I time when the light turns green just right. I'll heel/toe for downshifting during agressive turns when I'm in a spirited mood, but not for hill starts.

 

I live in SJ, but work in SF. I use heal and toe. It works really well. I have aftermarket pedals which helps.

Since getting my 8 I am trying to switch from clutch-brake downshift to couble-clutch heal and toes. Does anyone do this regularly? I am finding it hard to break the habit.

 

1 and 4, depends on how steep the hill is. 4 works on any hills.

 

#3 and you don't look stupid doing it.
#4 also works

 

Well I just got my 8 two days ago and I've been a stick driver for two days now. Handbrake meathod is my saving grace. Until I get more comfortable with this whole silly three pedel system I'll be using that a lot.

 

It seems like not many people use 2... I have heard that is hard on your clutch but I don't quite understand why since I have my foot on the brake while I find the clutch point and then only for half a second or less is the clutch under strain (while I move from brake to gas). Am I missing something?

 

Actually last time in SF (about april 04) in a manual Saturn.
I did not go up ANY hill where I could see a car stopped at the top.
Waited till I could get all the way up and stop on the top level portion.
Scared the h.. out of me. :o Now with the 8, I tell myself , I’ve seen
All of SF I need to. All other hills I use method #1

‘nice place to visit but I would not want to drive there’

 

Damn,

I work in SF everyday and have been driving a manual tranny for the last 8 years. I have always used #1. I had problems at first but once I get a feel for my cars (my 8 is my third) its second nature. I roll back a bit sometimes on the super steep hills. So excuse my ignorance when I ask, what the hell is the parking break method?

 

Method two is the best for me!!!
But when in Frisco I Use method One.
Have not yet Drove to San Fran in the 8,
my 88 and 79 Rx7's have been there though.

 

Hills? WHat hills?

If i ever see a hill i'll probably get into an accident.

 

When you stop, engae the parking break.

Do as you would in method 1 and as soon as you feel the car want to move slowly let out the parking break.