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How do you drive a car uphill?
I’m from Georgia, but I’m driving my automatic Audi A6 to visit a friend in Colorado in a few days. I enjoy long road trips, but I’m not accustomed to driving on steep hills or mountains. How do you drive a car properly uphill?
Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That is quite the road trip, and it’s great you’re thinking ahead about how to be a safe driver on unfamiliar terrain!
Driving an automatic vehicle makes tackling steep inclines much easier, and you likely will not have to do anything differently unless the hill has a very steep grade. If you encounter a steep incline, here is what you should do:
- Speed up as you approach the hill to gain momentum being careful not to accelerate too quickly if it is wet or icy.
- Locate the low gear setting on your shifter, usually noted by an L or 2
- Ease off the gas pedal and shift into low gear once your engine is running around 2500-3000 RPM.
- Accelerate after the shift and keep an eye on the RPM
- If your RPM hits 2500-3000 again, downshift into the lowest gear available and accelerate
- Upshift once your RPM climbs above 4500 RPM and repeat until your vehicle is back in the standard drive gear
Your vehicle will shift for you more often than not, and you won’t have to manually downshift unless you notice your engine is dropping below 25000 RPM.
Before leaving for Colorado, you should check your
car insurance
policy to see if you have roadside coverage
.If you don’t, try
Jerry
. Jerry’s membership provides you with industry-leading roadside assistance, including benefits like towing, lockout service, and a mechanics hotline. To find out if you’re eligible, check the app or call one of our friendly agents at 1-833-445-3779.MORE: The 5 best Colorado road trips
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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