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Old 07-27-2007, 12:22 AM   #1
03wrxowner
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Default Need help on inclines!

I recently purchased a 03 wrx, and I am trying to get better at driving a 5 speed. (Last car was an auto) I am okay at starting off on level ground but I do need help at taking off on inclines. I get nervous and kill it, especially if someone is behind me. Any tips for inclines or shifting in general?
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Old 07-27-2007, 12:27 AM   #2
z
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I used to drive a stick in San Francisco...serious frigging hills.

I guess that's why they make that hill-holder feature.

Just takes practice though, if you think about it too much you'll get nervous and f up. Some people like to pull the ebrake a little and then release it as you're engaging the clutch.
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Old 07-27-2007, 12:28 AM   #3
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just drive around do your best to avoid hill and learn how to drive it better and hill will just come naturaly and while you learning on hills use you e brake
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:16 AM   #4
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find a hill and practice, find an "ok" hill and when you get the hang of it, try a steeper one. Do it alone if you get nervous, so no one is watching. I learned in my neighbor hood at the end of the street on a hill in my moms VW.
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:21 AM   #5
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It's not that hard once you get the hang of it. Put it in gear, holding down the clutch and break. Quickly let go of the break and step on the accelerator while simultaneously letting go of the clutch. You can also try holding the break and accelerator at the same time to rev the engine, then let out the clutch. If that's too difficult, just set your parking brake, rev the engine and let go of the parking brake as soon as your clutch catches.
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:23 AM   #6
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Trying pulling the e-brake. Don't set it, but just hold it with your hand. Once you feel the clutch engage let off. I've driven a 5 spd for 22 yrs and on really steep hills I use this technic. Practice and experience will make the not so steep hills a piece of cake.
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:27 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 575rider View Post
Trying pulling the e-brake. Don't set it, but just hold it with your hand. Once you feel the clutch engage let off. I've driven a 5 spd for 22 yrs and on really steep hills I use this technic. Practice and experience will make the not so steep hills a piece of cake.
Yup! +1
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:29 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 03wrxowner View Post
I recently purchased a 03 wrx, and I am trying to get better at driving a 5 speed. (Last car was an auto) I am okay at starting off on level ground but I do need help at taking off on inclines. I get nervous and kill it, especially if someone is behind me. Any tips for inclines or shifting in general?
The way my dad taught me to start on an incline worked great. What you do is:

1) have it in first gear with your foot on the clutch
2) Have the E-brake pulled up with your hand on it ready to dis-engage it
3) Take off the way you would on a flat surface only this time slowly dis-engage the e-brake as you start to move.
4) After a few practice runs you will put the e-brake down faster and faster until you won't need it at all.

I think this method also helps in not smoking your clutch.

Good luck
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:33 AM   #9
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i used to use hand brake to help me on inclines...
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:44 AM   #10
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i learned by keeping my foot on the brake and clutch and slowly release the clutch till it starts to pull, let go of the brake and depending on the incline you will either lsowly roll foward or stand still, then apply gas, now its just like driving on flat ground and i just turned 17, though i do hate when people get on my ass so i always roll down alittle to alert them im in a manuel car
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Old 07-27-2007, 02:00 AM   #11
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Learn where the clutch's "catch point" is and, right before you're about to move uphill, and after selecting first of course, start engaging the clutch and when you're about hit the catch point, move your right foot from brake to throttle and there you go. At least, that's what I do; I only use my e-brake when it's really steep.
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Old 07-27-2007, 05:56 AM   #12
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What I've done a lot of times is sort of ride the clutch while the car is sitting still. It may not be the best on the transmission but thats what i have done when i was starting out. Now it's just a quick off the brake on the gas.
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Old 07-27-2007, 07:34 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midknight X RunneR View Post
What I've done a lot of times is sort of ride the clutch while the car is sitting still. It may not be the best on the transmission but thats what i have done when i was starting out. Now it's just a quick off the brake on the gas.
OP, do the ebrake method -- not this one.
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Old 07-27-2007, 08:39 AM   #14
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E-brake ftw, extend the life of that clutch!
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Old 07-27-2007, 09:15 AM   #15
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Handbrake is the way to go. Just make sure to hold the button down so you can release it smoothly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Midknight X RunneR View Post
What I've done a lot of times is sort of ride the clutch while the car is sitting still. It may not be the best on the transmission but thats what i have done when i was starting out.
Your transmission won't mind this but your clutch will. My mother wore out the clutch in her Accord doing exactly this.
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Old 07-27-2007, 09:18 AM   #16
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It would make me cringe to see a WRX bucking up and down and stalling in front of a line of traffic.
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Old 07-27-2007, 10:02 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 575rider View Post
Trying pulling the e-brake. Don't set it, but just hold it with your hand. Once you feel the clutch engage let off. I've driven a 5 spd for 22 yrs and on really steep hills I use this technic. Practice and experience will make the not so steep hills a piece of cake.
I also agree with the hand brake.
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:27 PM   #18
05wrxwgn
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i always make sure that if i am on a steep hill in the summer months, that the first thing i kill is my ac if its on. Its a sure fire way to stall on the hill if that running.
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Old 07-27-2007, 01:51 PM   #19
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Rev it, drop it, launch it. If you do it right on a good steep hill the front tires will come off the ground.

On a serious note, the guys that are suggesting starting with a little e-brake have the right idea. Using the e-brake allows you to take your time with your throttle/clutch so you don't burn clutch or kill the motor. A little practice and you'll get it.
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Old 07-27-2007, 02:03 PM   #20
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The e-brake method seems to work fine but requires that you have the e-brake adjusted well to work. Truckers don't use the e-brake method but they have the torque to get them moving.

Do you have a friend with an older Subie with the dual range tranny or any with straight gear 4x4 trucks? If so, use them in 4wd low in a grass field. The torque can compensate for your release of the clutch if you do it wrong. As you get comforable go to 4wd hi and then to 2wd.

I've never used the handbrake method myself.

You shouldn't use the clutch to hold the car in place either by slipping it. I see enough people killing the clutch by slipping the clutch at stoplights as they ease forward then roll back, ease up and roll back, & repeat.
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Old 07-27-2007, 02:07 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jk988 View Post
Learn where the clutch's "catch point" is and, right before you're about to move uphill, and after selecting first of course, start engaging the clutch and when you're about hit the catch point, move your right foot from brake to throttle and there you go. At least, that's what I do; I only use my e-brake when it's really steep.
This is exactly what I do. It works great and I have never had a hill that felt too steep where I was afraid of rolling backwards. My gf once commented on a pretty steep hill that we were on in her car (auto), "how she's glad she wasn't driving a manual right now". All I could think and said is that it doesn't seem like too much of a problem to me.
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