How to Handle a Clutch while Driving Downhill: Learn How to Drive a Stick Shift

Part of the Video Series How To Drive A Stick Shift Car

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Learn to use a clutch in a manual transmission when driving downhill, in this free online video lesson.

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How to Handle a Clutch while Driving Downhill: Learn How to Drive a Stick Shift
Hi! This is Rob with Expert Village and the subject right now is downshifting. Downshifting a race car when you are trying to make a corner and you need to match the revs to speed of the vehicle, it is an important step. We are driving a heavy truck with a big load down a hill, you stay in low gear. But when you are driving a regular everyday car, there is no need to downshift to slow the vehicle down. It puts unnecessary wear and strain on the drive line that is going to be better served by just using the brakes. As we are driving down this hill in low gear, you can almost hear the strain being put on the engine and the drive line and it is completely unnecessary with a personal car, so the best thing when you are driving down a heavy hill is just use the brakes. If you have to come to a stop, you use the brakes unless it is an emergency, then you downshift to get the car slower more quickly. It is much cheaper to replace the brakes than it is to replace a clutch or even a transmission. So when you are driving down a steep hill like this, you have your car in neutral, get your foot off of the clutch pedal and you just use your brakes.

About the Expert

Expert: Rob is a retired New York city firefighter and a long time car enthusiast. He now restores and sells hot rods. Read More