jzc28

I live a the top of a steep 1 1/2 lane asphalt road. This evening I had to pull over to let a truck get by. When starting up I released the clutch and hand brake slowly while apply considerable gas. I did not roll backwards but, judging from the smell, I did smoke the clutch. Help! How to I avoid that serious error in the future. I would prefer not to move.

Paulie964

Clutch replacement is not cheap .... keep your revs down on the uphill departure

raspberryroadster

vanc. also a hilly city....and have always driven manualtrans cars.
i do not recommend handbrake technique/i agree with paulie964 quick engagement of clutch with minimal revs.....actually 964 clutch engagement imo is hill user friendly to past cars i have had.....

Paulie964

I'm in SF, hill are unavoidable (my usual game plan is to crest over) ... but when starting on a hill, the technique is do-able, its all about throttle/clutch control once you have engagement ... you don't need high revs to start on a hill ... sorry to go against you raspberryroadster, especially after you agreed with me, but that e-brake is definitely helpful ... as soon as you feel that clutch start to grab, back off the e-brake, get the right throttle position, and vary the clutch ... can't stress it enough, keep your revs down

don't get stressed, take a deep breath, and focus

springer3

Nobody is fast enough to avoid some roll-back when the foot goes from the brake to the throttle pedal. I always use the hand brake on a steep up-hill start. +1 on smooth, low-rev launches to preserve clutch lining.

jimq

I dont have that problem with my TIP

aj986s

X3 on using the handbrake/e-brake. AFAIK, that's one of the reasons its located on the center console of so many cars. I believe foot e-brakes came about with auto trannys.

Auto_Werks 3.6

This is acutually not ture. On really steep hills I use a technique similar to my heel toe at the track. I let the clutch out just to the engagement point, keep the revs up slightly, roll off the brakes and clutch, and slide my right foot completely off the brake. This is something I learned at the boat ramp using a 5 speed truck with no e-brake. It can be done, it just takes some practice.

stinkydog

You guys don't have 3 legs?

J richard

+1 on the heel toe technique, same footwork as on the track, you can pull away on the steepest slopes like you have a tip....

race911

I've also always used the heel-toe. A lot easier with the stock dual mass flywheel on the C4S than the RS unit on the RSA................

jzc28

Thanks all for your suggestions - I've had no trouble on moderate hills using the hand brake technique. Need to learn not to stress out and apply too much gas. More practice is called for. A $3000 clutch job is not in my budget.

Auto_Werks 3.6

Jz, I think the best advice would be to go practice on some small to moderate hills without the use of the handbrake. I would wager it's a big factor in your clutch burning. Only the steepest of hills with a person parked right behind you should warrant any help from the brakes. The more you get used to doing it correctly, the better you will get at "catching" the car before it gets too much backward velocity. It's mostly about feeling out the engagement point of the clutch.

mongrelcat

+1 heel & toe, once you get it down you can avoid almost any roll-back on even the steepest of hills. Either adjust your pedals or wear a wide shoe (running shoes work for me) when driving the car.

Paulie964

heel toe is a great technique, imo, this is harder to do than taking the e-brake route ..

practicing on a cheaper car would be ideal, but perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn to walk before you try to sprint ..

all cars are different. I used to drive an 01 Integra, and I was able to start on the steepest hills in SF with no roll back by simply jumping off the brake onto the gas. I find this much harder to do with my 90 C2.