Dolomick

So I recently got an '09 Cayman base with 34k miles for a good price and I'm learning to drive manual with it - I used to have a motorcycle so I understand clutch control but I think the hill assist feature is really screwing me up getting into our steep driveway. Can someone give a step by step explanation of what they would do to properly go from a near standstill into a steep driveway? I have to slow down to not bottom out the front end, but the other day it took me wayyyy to many attempts to get the damn car into the garage. Possibly another issue is a lack of expected torque in first gear, because sometimes I would get the car moving a bit forward and THEN stall out - even with about 2k RPM's. I can't figure out if I'm not giving it enough RPM's (2k should be enough I would think) or what. My sequence was to have foot on brake, find clutch biting point, move to gas and try to get about 2k rpms and slowly release the clutch - too slowly I think maybe, hence the stalling. Or do I need to go to 2500 rpms? I had forgot about the hill assist feature and I think that's screwing up the timing that I was used to on my old motorcycle. It's probably about a 25-30 degree incline. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

GT4John

I had a 2008 Base C w/o hill assist and used the parking brake. I can't recall the specific rev's...but it was always just a feel thing. If you're about to stall the motor, little more clutch (pushing on the pedal more) and little more gas...without burning the crap out of the clutch, of course. The hill assist just holds you in-place, so you might briefly rev higher and let the clutch get a good bite and then drop the revs and work the clutch on your way up.

Good luck!

SpyderSenseOC

The accelerator pedal is your friend. Give it more throttle than you think you need and slowly let off the clutch. You'll feel the brakes release and you'll be on your way. Contrary to the manual, you do not just take off as usual or will almost certainly stall. The brakes hold on tight long after I think they should release. I had trouble with it as well at the beginning.

jscott82

Nevermind

Dolomick

SpyderSenseOC

I do this:

1. Brake assist feature operational and holding car in place
2. Clutch pedal depressed - foot off brake
3. Press accelerator pedal slightly to get engine up off idle (maybe 900-1200RPM)
4. Slowly release clutch until hill assist releases brakes
5. Accelerate away

If you release the clutch too quickly you will (as with all manual transmissions but especially one in which the brakes are affirmatively applied via the hill assist) stall the engine. Give it some gas first, let off the clutch slow, and away you go.

bkrantz

Basically the same for me. With Hill Assist engaged, there is no reason to mess with the brake pedal. And I sometimes use more revs (up to maybe 2500).

digitalrurouni

Pretty much this.

fhp911

How you enable/disable hill assist?

dsrufer

Dolomick:


The Hill Assist lasts only two seconds. On an incline, let go of the brake pedal, wait two seconds, and the brakes will let go. Be ready to increase the revs and release the clutch. Hill Assist does not let go of the brakes during those two seconds. You can let out the clutch as much as you want and rev as much as you want but you'll only be battling the brakes during the first two seconds after coming off the brakes. Just come off the brake pedal, wait two seconds, and Hill Assist will be out of the picture. Then it's up to you, the clutch, and gas pedal. Sadly, you'll be doing this from a standstill. But better than with the car holding onto the brakes. I'd much prefer the car did not offer that feature.

SpyderSenseOC

Hill assist in my Spyder lasts a lot longer than 2 seconds. I keep waiting for it to shut off but it seems it never does.