Hill climbs, stalling and hill-start

Most steep-climb trouble comes from the wrong gear before the hill, not from the hill itself. Choose low range and a gear that holds the climb, and keep a steady, gentle throttle.

If you stall, the first job is to stop the car rolling. Then restart and decide whether to go on or back down. General technique, not a substitute for training or your owner's manual. Practise on easy ground first, with a spotter, and stop if you are unsure.

By Gypsy Overlanding Family ®

4Lselect itbefore the hillBrakehold the carfirstStraightroll backin a line
Before the hill, during a stall, and on the way back.

The short answer

Pick 4L and a gear before the slope, and do not change gear on the climb. If you stall, hold the brake, restart and decide. If you cannot go on, reverse straight down in a low gear and let the engine control the speed, without turning the wheel. The Jimny lists a hill-assist feature, but it only holds the car briefly and does not help on loose, slipping ground.

Do

  • Select 4L and a low gear before the slope
  • Keep a steady, gentle throttle
  • Look where you want to go, not at the slope
  • Hold the brake first if you stall
  • Keep the car straight if you roll back

Do not

  • Change gear mid-climb
  • Stab the throttle
  • Turn the wheel while rolling back
  • Ride the clutch
  • Try to turn around on the slope

Before the climb

  • Walk it if you can, and look for ruts, rocks and the top
  • Select 4L, stopped, per your manual. See low-range use
  • Choose a gear that keeps the engine pulling, not struggling
  • Tire pressure matters on loose slopes, see tire pressures
  • Tell passengers to stay seated and belted

If you stall

  1. Brake first. Hold the car with the foot brake, then add the parking brake
  2. Restart with the car held. In a manual, use the clutch and brake as your manual describes. In an automatic, select P or N to restart, then re-select the drive position
  3. Decide: if the surface is firm and you have the gear, go on gently. If not, reverse down
  4. Do not panic and roll back with the wheel turned
Check the manual. The restart procedure differs between the manual and the automatic. Practise it on a gentle slope.

Rolling back safely

  • Keep the wheels straight
  • Reverse down in the lowest gear, with the engine braking the car
  • Use the brake gently, and avoid locking the wheels
  • In an automatic, use the lowest range your manual allows
  • If the engine will not start, keep the brake held and ask a spotter to guide you

Hill-hold feature

The Jimny is listed with a hill-assist feature. These systems typically hold the brakes for a moment after you release the pedal on a slope, so you can move off without rolling. Check your manual for how long it holds. It does not help if the wheels slip on a loose surface, and it is not a substitute for a parking brake.

Pick your situation

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What to do for Moving off on a steep slope

Do this
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Details
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Common mistakes

  • Changing gear mid-climb. You lose momentum and may stall.
  • Stabbing the throttle. The wheels spin and dig in.
  • Turning while rolling back. The car can slide sideways.
  • Relying on hill-hold. It only holds briefly.
  • Continuing after a failed try. Back down and rethink.
A final word. General technique, not a substitute for training or your owner's manual. Practise on easy ground first, with a spotter, and stop if you are unsure.