When parking on a steep hill with a manual transmission, which gear should you leave the car in?

When parking on a steep hill with a manual transmission, which gear should you leave the car in?

• A. Reverse
• B. First gear
• C. Second gear
• D. Neutral

Answer: (B)

Engine braking and securing a manual car on a hill. Leaving the car in the lowest gear provides the strongest resistance from the engine, so the wheels can’t turn freely if the vehicle tries to roll. This helps hold the car in place even if the parking brake isn’t enough on its own. Neutral would let the wheels roll, and a higher gear offers less engine resistance, making the car more likely to move. Always set the parking brake as well to add an extra safeguard against rolling.

Engine braking and securing a manual car on a hill. Leaving the car in the lowest gear provides the strongest resistance from the engine, so the wheels can’t turn freely if the vehicle tries to roll. This helps hold the car in place even if the parking brake isn’t enough on its own. Neutral would let the wheels roll, and a higher gear offers less engine resistance, making the car more likely to move. Always set the parking brake as well to add an extra safeguard against rolling.