The process of moving a vehicle forward from a stationary position on an uphill grade without rolling backward. In a manual transmission vehicle, this requires carefully balancing the clutch bite point and the throttle while releasing the handbrake or foot brake. Newer vehicles often feature electronic assist systems that hold brake pressure for a few seconds to prevent rollback during the transition.
The driving test examiner failed him because he stalled twice trying to do a hill start on Oak Street.
The trick to a smooth manual hill start is bringing the clutch right to the friction zone until the engine note drops slightly, then smoothly applying gas as you drop the handbrake.
Related terms
Bite point
The exact pedal position where a manual clutch begins to transfer engine power.
Handbrake turn
A driving maneuver that uses the parking brake to lock the rear wheels and rapidly rotate the vehicle.
Clutch pedal
The floor-mounted control operated by the driver to engage or disengage the clutch.
HAC
Hill-start assist control, an electronic system that prevents a vehicle from rolling backward on an incline.