Gear choice on steep hills - manual and auto

Summary

In this informative video, the host provides essential driving tips for navigating steep hills, focusing on gear management for both uphill and downhill driving. The key advice is to shift to lower gears to maintain control and avoid overheating your brakes, especially on long declines. He also emphasizes the importance of fresh brake fluid to prevent brake failure. The video offers practical advice for both manual and automatic cars, sharing real-life experiences from the Lake District’s challenging roads. The host also promotes a special offer from Collingwood Insurance, encouraging viewers to check the link for savings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lower gears are essential when driving uphill. If your car struggles in higher gears, shift to lower gears (second or first) to maintain power.
• 😀 Uphill driving requires higher revs to help generate more power for climbing steep hills.
• 😀 When driving downhill, use engine braking by shifting to lower gears. This reduces the risk of overheating your brakes.
• 😀 Avoid relying heavily on brakes when descending hills. Overuse can lead to brake overheating, especially on long, steep descents.
• 😀 Lower gears provide more engine braking, which helps control your speed downhill and reduces strain on the brakes.
• 😀 Always bring the clutch up when shifting to engage a lower gear. Leaving the clutch down can prevent the engine from providing the necessary power.
• 😀 Wheel spin can occur when using lower gears on steep hills, as the increased power can cause tires to lose traction.
• 😀 Check your brake fluid regularly. Old brake fluid with water content can boil at lower temperatures, reducing braking efficiency.
• 😀 Replace brake fluid every three years to maintain a higher boiling point and avoid issues like spongy brake pedals.
• 😀 In automatic cars, use lower gears or the 'L' setting to maintain control on steep hills. This prevents the car from automatically shifting to higher gears.
• 😀 Always aim for a controlled, steady speed when going uphill or downhill. This minimizes brake wear and keeps your car in a manageable gear range.

Q & A

Why is the video being filmed in such challenging conditions?

The video is filmed in the Lake District, specifically in Buttermere and Crummock Water, where the presenter is encountering steep hills while driving. This setting is used to provide tips for handling steep inclines and declines while driving.

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide advice on how to drive safely on steep hills. The presenter discusses how to handle uphill and downhill situations by adjusting gears and controlling speed, as well as maintaining brake performance.

What should a driver do if their car starts struggling on a steep hill?

If the car starts struggling while going uphill, the driver should shift to a lower gear. If it's still struggling, they should continue downshifting until the car is able to make it up the hill.

How does maintaining higher revs help when driving uphill?

Maintaining higher revs helps provide more power to the engine, which is crucial for climbing steep hills. Higher revs ensure that the car can generate the necessary force to make it up the incline, especially when using lower gears.

What should a driver do when driving downhill to avoid overheating the brakes?

To avoid overheating the brakes when driving downhill, a driver should use lower gears to engage engine braking. This reduces the need to apply the brakes constantly, preventing the brake fluid from heating up and potentially boiling.

Why is it important not to keep the clutch down when going downhill?

Keeping the clutch down when going downhill is detrimental because it disengages the engine from the wheels, which eliminates engine braking. Without engine braking, the car relies solely on the brakes, which can overheat if used excessively.

What should a driver do if they feel they are using the brake too much downhill?

If the driver feels they are using the brake too much while going downhill, they should downshift to a lower gear. This allows the engine to help slow down the vehicle, reducing the reliance on the brakes.

What is the significance of brake fluid in managing steep hill driving?

Brake fluid plays a critical role in maintaining braking performance. If the brake fluid is old or contaminated with water, it can lower its boiling point. This increases the risk of the fluid boiling during long descents, leading to a spongy brake pedal and potentially unsafe braking.

What is the recommended maintenance for brake fluid?

It is recommended to replace brake fluid every three years, as the fluid absorbs moisture over time. This ensures that the fluid maintains its boiling point and keeps the braking system functioning properly.

What is the difference between automatic and manual transmission when driving on steep hills?

In both manual and automatic transmissions, the key is to use lower gears for both uphill and downhill driving. In manual cars, this involves shifting to a lower gear, while in automatic cars, the driver should use the 'L' setting or choose a lower gear mode to prevent overheating the brakes and ensure adequate power for the terrain.