General Hill starting with auto

[dbroada]

I have just bought a campervan based on the FIAT Ducato with the auto gearbox.

I park this with its nose up to our garage which is on quite a slope. Yesterday when I first parked it there I had no problem. I just kept rolling and stopped when it looked like I was close enough (I wasn't but never mind).

Today I tried to move the couple of feet forward but just could not get my feet and handbrake to work together. All I managed to do was move several feet further away. I DID eventually park perfectly but it was far from controlled.

Is there a technique I have totally overlooked? Any tips gratefully accepted.

Dave

 

[oigle]

I have just bought a campervan based on the FIAT Ducato with the auto gearbox.

I park this with its nose up to our garage which is on quite a slope. Yesterday when I first parked it there I had no problem. I just kept rolling and stopped when it looked like I was close enough (I wasn't but never mind).

Today I tried to move the couple of feet forward but just could not get my feet and handbrake to work together. All I managed to do was move several feet further away. I DID eventually park perfectly but it was far from controlled.

Is there a technique I have totally overlooked? Any tips gratefully accepted.

Dave

In 1st gear, if you gently accelerate until the vehicle is pulling against its brake, then release the handbrake, the vehicle should inch forward until you release the throttle. Don't ride it for too long as it isn't really an auto but an automated manual and you can burn a clutch.
Ian

 

[dbroada]

Thanks, I'll give that a try later. I must have done that instinctively the first time but I just got my feet in a muddle and couldn't get the throttle right at all and then started panicking.

I am aware that its not a real auto but I couldn't remember the name used. My other car is a Smart so has the same sort of arrangement.

My Smart also has "hill assist" where the brakes stay on for a second after the pedal is released which allows you to get from brake to throttle without rolling back. Is there something similar on the Ducato?

 

[varesecrazy]

My Smart also has "hill assist" where the brakes stay on for a second after the pedal is released which allows you to get from brake to throttle without rolling back. Is there something similar on the Ducato?

sort-of,

there is a big handle on the floor with a button at the front of it

 

[dbroada]

sort-of,

there is a big handle on the floor with a button at the front of it

ah, the one that is only strong enough to hold on this slope if its on too tight to release from a sitting position.

 

[varesecrazy]

ah, the one that is only strong enough to hold on this slope if its on too tight to release from a sitting position.

YES - that'll be the one..

:idea: maybe just put a ramp / chock behind the rear wheels,
could make life a LOT easier for your manouvring..so save the clutch.

 

[dbroada]

I'm sure I'll find the way. For getting in to my parking spot I can rest on the most level area and then just drive slowly. Hopefully I will perfect that before I have to perform a proper hill start.