Has anyone been taught to drive this way? Settle this between woman and mere man.?

Question

My husband is an Aussie. We live on a hill and must park our cars in the street. When mere man and I get into the car and he is driving, he always leaves the parking brake on and then puts the car in gear (standard transmission) and steps on the go pedal then releases the brake. The car bucks and jumps and usually squeals the tires. I am from the US and I was taught you release the brake and then let out the clutch and give it some go juice at the same time and that if you do it correctly you will not have a problem. Mere man tells me that is the way Aussies are taught to drive. I say "Not" as it is dangerous. Who is right here?

Answer 1

If he's making the car buck and jump and squeals the tires he's doing it wrong. Just because he was taught that way doesn't make it right.

I might use the handbrake when I'm being a bit lazy, but you'd never notice. I have no problem starting on even the steepest hills.

Answer 2

Im from Aus too, and your fella is partially correct.

When you go for your driving test, and you do a hill start, this is the required procedure for a manual to pass.

Start the car in neutral with handbrake on

Shift into first gear

Indicate your intention to pull out from kerb

Check for traffic (obviously)

Slowly release the clutch and handbrake together, so that when the clutch is fully engaged, the handbrake is fully off, and pull out from the kerb.

Personally I only did that for the test and I seldom ever use my handbrake now, as I drive a Toyota and the handbrake is in the dashboard, compared to between the seats.

I also have enough clutch control to balance the car on the clutch, and if needed, I can heel and toe with the throttle and brake when I am 4WD or starting on a steep hill.

Answer 3

Well, the "mere man" is doing it correctly, but needs practice.......The idea is to save the transmission. When parking a Manual Shift vehicle,  putting the parking brake on first and then putting the car in gear, the car's weight won't "roll" into the gear and cause damage to the transmission.

When leaving, putting the vehicle into gear before releasing the parking brake and giving it a bit of "go juice" takes practice to perfect, but also prevents your vehicle from rolling back, possible hitting a person or vehicle.

He just needs to be more gentle and get more practice.

Do as you wish, there are no laws, but $$$ gets spent on maintenance/repairs according to how a driver operates his/her vehicle.

Answer 4

I'm an Aussie, and do recall being taught to use the handbrake for hill starts (for steeper starts), I still do it occasionally if I'm driving an unfamiliar vehicle (not being familiar with the 'sweet spot' where the clutch engages).

I just asked my wife and she was taught the same thing.

Answer 5

yeah- they are kind of "rough around the edges"

your way is correct-

Answer 6

It is not a brake issue (when to release it), it is simply a driver issue. You are the better "stick" driver. He needs some practice!

Answer 7

The way that you are doing it is correct and your man needs to watch, listen and learn...............

Answer 8

I was taught to equalize movements between the clutch, brake and the accelerator pedals simultaneously.  However...if routinely done on very steep hills, I have heard that this is very tough on the clutch plate.  In addition, in my Driver's Handbook (which I still have from when I was studying for the test years ago), this method is mentioned as a way to start a standard transmission vehicle on an incline.  

I would say you are both right, and that you should cut your Mere Man some slack for once...

Answer 9

Well now, easy enough to settle. You will find in the cars owners manual, you must release the brake prior to engaging the clutch. Your way. It makes no difference in culture or improper schoolin' the owners manual dictates the proper procedure. Did man forget how to read directions?

Or it shall pose a problem when man find he has burned out both the brake pads and clutch disc. Then man must open the pocket wallet and fork out lots of dollars to fix what he broke.