Clutch V Handbrake

Jamie-b

One of my bad habits is pulling up the handbrake everytime I stop. I find it easier to get going. How do I not do this?
Example: I am slowing down in second at a yield sign to turn left. I have to stop for a car momentarily so I push in clutch and stop fully and am on a little upward slope. Without using the handbrake should it work as follows..
1) Keep brake pressed firmly
2) Keep clutch in and put car into first gear
3) Lift clutch to bitingpoint
4) Move right foot from brake to accelerator and move off

I have been trying this but I cut out sometimes. Otherwise when I get going I often either roll back or the car starts to chug (I think I may lift clutch too much and it's pulling against the brake.

Is the above correct and any tips? Also will this work on any type of hill? There is a very steep hill where I live and I always stop at the top and do a hill start even though there is no one coming and I could crawl out. Only problem is I can only crawl in first (hence the hillstart) - if I go so slow in second I chug/stall.

Hi OP
that process sounds good. If you are cutting out remember to take it easy and just lift the clutch slowly once you think it's near biting point. You shouldn't roll back as the car will start a forward motion with the clutch up high enough (after the brake is released a bit).
So maybe practice somewhere quiet flat taking off with just the clutch and releasing the brake gently without the accelerator. Once you have that down you shouldnt roll back or chug as you can adjust properly when using the accelerator

for the last part if you're going up a steep hill switch down gears as necessary, sometimes I go into first for that as well

good luck

**Timbuk2**

Do not use the clutch to balance yourself on a hill. If you have to use the footbrake to hold a car on a hill, then apply the handbrake. If you balance your car on the clutch you will burn out your clutch very quickly. Use the handbrake. If the ground is flat, or even downhill, then you do not need to use the handbrake, but otherwise - use it.

Hope this helps!

Jamie-b

Do not use the clutch to balance yourself on a hill.

Thanks, but I don't want to use clutch only- I want to learn to use footbrake for momentary stops and be able to move off without applying handbrake and without rolling back wards or cutting out.

enda1

Jamie-b wrote: »

Thanks, but I don't want to use clutch only- I want to learn to use footbrake for momentary stops and be able to move off without applying handbrake and without rolling back wards or cutting out.

Its what the handbrake is for.

If you are learning for the driving test, its a good idea to get used to it!

I hate when driving behind a car which doesn't use a handbrake when they should, invariably they roll back a bit before they go forward which is quite dangerous especially for a pedestrian which may pass very close to behind their car (between two cars).

**Timbuk2**

Jamie-b wrote: »

Thanks, but I don't want to use clutch only- I want to learn to use footbrake for momentary stops and be able to move off without applying handbrake and without rolling back wards or cutting out.

Still use the handbrake. You will get used to it eventually and you will be able to use it very quickly. Taking the clutch out to the biting point and then releasing the footbrake is very bad for the clutch, as when you take the pressure off the footbrake it will be all put on the clutch until you start to accelerate away. Think how heavy a car is! You'll only end up burning out the clutch - they are very expensive to replace.

This post was posted by HydeRoad a few months ago on this forum, and explains the procedure excellently - I hope you find it informative - it helped me!

HydeRoad wrote: »

That's where my diesel Mondeo is great, she'll pull gently up that hill with no acceleration at all! Not much use I'm sure if you drive a 1 litre Micra...

I imagine myself sitting beside you in that car, the car jerking to a stop, and the fumbling of feet and arms as you switch from wheel to handbrake, handbrake to gearstick, back to handbrake, back to wheel, panic levels rising!

The first thing to do is to relax! It's only a little hill. Practice on an empty hill, creeping up at mile-an-hour, foot off the clutch, feathering the accelerator, seeing just how slow the car will climb before spluttering and stalling. As soon as you feel that car shuddering, foot down on clutch and brake gently, or verrry gently increase the revs, by a hair's breadth if you want to keep moving. If you press the accelerator hard, or if you come off too quickly, the car jerks. Your foot movement on that accelerator pedal needs to be no more than a millimetre or two, keep it as smooth as silk, and the car will be smooth too. Learn to keep that right foot absolutely steady while your left foot works the clutch.

When you have learnt how to creep forwards smoothly without jerks, then learn to stop and start. Do not brake to a complete stop. From crawling speed, feather the brake pedal, and lift off before the car stops completely. Let it roll into that stop. On an incline, the car will immediately roll back. With your left hand on the handbrake, you can grab the car, gently, at exactly the moment the car stops. No need for a jerk, have the handbrake already right at the biting point, ready to gently pull for a smooth stop. Too soon, and the car jerks. Too late, and it rolls back. Practice makes perfect. With practice, learn where the biting point of the handbrake is, and when using it repeatedly in creeping traffic, you won't need to use the full length of it's travel, once you have the car under precise control.

Practice, practice, practice. If you find yourself in a traffic situation on a hill, and find yourself panicking, it just means you haven't practised enough. Don't wait till you are in traffic, find a quiet hill without parked cars, and try a bit of creeping and stopping. It's simple when it clicks with you, you just need to do it a little to get the hang of it, like anything.

Magenta

Yep, always use the handbrake on a hill.
I was taught to always use the handbrake and neutral gear when stopped for longer than approx 30 seconds, unless you are first in line at traffic lights/stop sign/roundabout etc. The reason being that first, it gives your feet a rest, second, it gives the clutch a rest, and third, if someone runs into the back of you, it prevents your car from being shoved forward as far as it would if you had your feet on the clutch and brakes.

bladebrew

im the opposite way around to the op, i always use the footbrake,my handbrake was gone altogether for a while so i got used to never using it,

i wouldnt purposely try to use the footbrake on hills! your doing it the right way now,

Jamie-b

Thanks for the replies. I was told in my lesson I was using it to much. I really mean when you barely stop for a split second and move off again. And not on a real hill as such just a gentle slope. So if I'm turning the corner and yield I should be able to just go ibnto first and pull off without messing around with the handbrake.

cosmic

Jamie-b wrote: »

So if I'm turning the corner and yield I should be able to just go ibnto first and pull off without messing around with the handbrake.

If the way is clear there's no need to stop at a yield sign. Just slow down and quickly assess the situation to see if your way is clear. You must stop at a stop sign but not necessarily at a yield one

Magenta

Jamie-b wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I was told in my lesson I was using it to much. I really mean when you barely stop for a split second and move off again. And not on a real hill as such just a gentle slope. So if I'm turning the corner and yield I should be able to just go ibnto first and pull off without messing around with the handbrake.

Oh yeah, if it's just for a split second then you don't need it. If you pull up to a red light and there's a couple of cars in front of you, stick it on.

J_R

Hi,

as others have said there is no need to stop at a yield sign, if clear continue but at a speed that that you can easily stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

If you must stop for a few seconds then it is OK to hold the car on the clutch, if "the stop becomes a wait" then use the handbrake.

Like so :- Left turn emerging (video did this morning)