What is the proper way to drive up and down hills?

Russ B

Well it really depends on the car and the hill you are climbing to determine what gear you need to be in. I live in Colorado, and have to deal with mountain driving on daily basis, my car makes it up all hills in 4th. But a less powerful car might have to be in 3rd. Just look at your gauges, if you are loosing RPM and speed, downshift to the next gear. For going downhill, you have to stay in gear, its illegal to be in neutral, and also because your transmission will prevent the car from going too fast, it acts as a brake. When i go down a hill on a freeway, i usually stay in 4th because it keeps my car going between 55-60mph, so i don't even have to use my brakes in order to keep from going over the limit.

Mello

I'm pretty sure driving in neutral is illegal, or close to it because you can't speed up if you have to, unless you're absolutely prepared to put it back in drive.

Baccheus

You want to keep the car at roughly 2000 RPM, or actually it can depend on the car -- you'll get the feel for it. You do want to down shift to go up hills -- that's what the transmission is for, to allow more power at slower speeds. Depending on how steep the hill is, you might go down all the way to 1st. You do want to keep up your momentum as you approach and drive on a hill, but don't speed up, just downshift and accelerate enough to keep your speed.

You do want to downshift also going downhill. This helps the engine slow the car and saves the brakes a bit. Never, as in never never not ever, drive on a public road in neutral. You can leave the clutch in for a moment but in gear.

If you are not shifting now without speed, it is likely either because you do not have enough gas as you take your foot off the clutch, or you are trying to shift into the wong gear. If the engine spins and screams as you slow, you down shifted at too high a speed. If it jumps and coughs, you up-shifted at too low a speed, added too little gas, or let up the clutch too fast. It all becomes easier with practice. Listen to and feel your car.

UCANTCME

Third gear is fine but it depends on the hill because sometimes you will need to go into second gear.

Going downhill in neutral is known as "coasting" at in many states that is illegal to do because you can have an accident by just not being in gear if needed.

Put the car in gear. With the clutch still held down, and with the other foot on the brake, move the gear shifter into first gear. Also make sure that the emergency brake is off.

Continue holding in the clutch. When you are ready to start moving, take your right foot off the brake and gently press the accelerator just enough to cause the tachometer needle to go up a little.

Let out the clutch very slowly until you feel the engine begin to engage the wheels. At that moment, press down a little more on the accelerator. Continue slowly letting out the clutch while increasing power with the accelerator. If at any point you hear a grinding noise, or the engine starts to shake, push the clutch back in and start over. With practice you will learn to let out the clutch in a single smooth movement.

Accelerate down the road. When the engine is ready to go to the next gear, you will hear the engine whine and the tachometer needle with sharply rise. At this point, quickly push in the clutch, shift into second gear, and release the clutch. Once the car is moving, letting out the clutch is much easier than when beginning from a standstill. Repeat the process for each gear as you gain speed.

You can also use the gears to help you slow down by reversing the process gear by gear. This is especially useful if your brakes ever fail.

Don't forget to put in the clutch each time you have to stop.

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