Uphill: Approach uphill situations with an appropriate amount of momentum, a higher gear (3rd in an automatic transmission) and less throttle to reduce torque, which also reduces wheel spin. The last thing you want to do is get halfway up the hill, lose traction and begin to spin your wheels.
Use a low gear
Keeping your car in a low gear is a must when driving uphill. It will reduce your speed but give you more power to achieve the climb. Listen to what the car is telling you, as it will be reasonably clear if you're in the wrong gear for the road.
You'll want to switch to a lower gear whenever you go uphill. If it's really steep, shift a manual all the way to first or second gear. If you have an automatic vehicle, you can switch to D1 or D2 if you have those options on your gear shift.
Use lower gears to go downhill
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, use "L" or "2." However, if you do need to brake frequently, pull over if you start to smell the brakes burning. (According to the National Park Service, this will be a pungent burning smell.)
Low Gear = Easy = Good for Climbing: The “low” gear on your bike is the smallest chain ring in the front and the largest cog on your cassette (rear gears). In this position, the pedaling will be the easiest and you'll be able to pedal uphill with the smallest amount of resistance.
Climbers gearing - 34/50 with 11/32 or 11/34 Cassette
It's what we recommend for beginners or existing road riders who want plenty of assistance on the climbs. With both a small and large chainring at the front, there's no need for a massive cassette at the rear.
Shifting into low gear when you're ascending a steep hill helps to reduce wear and tear on your engine. Shifting into low gear when you're descending an incline reduces strain on your transmission. Since you'll slow down automatically, you'll also reduce the strain on your brakes!
If you're using a manual transmission, use second or third gear when you head up a steep incline – and don't change gears once you've committed to the climb.
Your engine might have enough gas to run on flat surfaces, but it will struggle up hills if a clogged fuel filter is preventing the added gasoline needed to power the engine up the hill.
You should use the front gear when going uphill and the back gear when going downhill. The front gear gives you more torque and power, while the rear gear gives you less. The front gear is usually what most people start with when they first learn how to shift gears on a bike.
In a four-wheel drive vehicle, the engine sends power to all wheels, giving you optimal traction and control, especially on rough terrain. This traction comes in handy if you're driving uphill, over rocky terrain, or through the snow.
Driving down: Use low gears as well. It's the same logic as going up, the car doesn't need speed. Lower the gear one level to get control of the car. Using lower gears can help you gain a better handle of the car and prevent it from free-falling down a steep road.
On the road, a 1:1 gear or lower makes almost any climb possible for almost any rider, but you have to remember that you will be travelling more slowly and a major climb could take well over two hours.
Mountaineering gear: Items such as mountaineering boots, crampons, a climbing helmet and an ice axe are standard items for almost every mountaineering climb. For trips that take you onto glaciers, you'll need a rope, harness and crevasse rescue equipment to protect against crevasse falls.
Leave your car in gear at a red light
Even though you were told by your driving instructor that it's a cardinal sin… As well as wearing out your leg muscles, you're also putting needless strain on the clutch. It's much better to put your car in neutral and apply the handbrake to keep it stationary.
Waiting at traffic lights or junctions with the clutch down, first gear engaged and your foot on the brake can put unnecessary strain on the clutch. It is much better to change into neutral if you are going to be stopped for any length of time and to use the handbrake to keep the car stationary.
4) Do Not Depress Clutch Pedal (Manual Car Only)
Just like engaging neutral, depressing the clutch pedal while going downhill would cause the car to roll. It is best to just keep your manual car at a low gear, possibly “3” or “2”, and rely on the engine braking system to do its job.
Avoid changing gears while the car is moving
The car will actually stop but you will end up wearing out your automatic transmission band. The transmission band is hard to access making its repair and replacement expensive and time-consuming.