up-hill starts in stop-go traffic
 

My 370Z was delivered fault-free and perfect.....er...except that hill starts are not easy without abusing the clutch or stalling, especially in stop-go traffic up a mountain.

There's no "throttle lag" in 1st gear.

I'd like a much less sensitive initial throttle movement ..... or, not so good, an electrical switch to set the idle RPM at 1,000 (like happens when the engine's cold and the up-hill starts are then no problem at all).

Any simple solutions out there?

Thanks.

The old tried and true system of using the parking brake to hold the car until you have the revs you want and then release the brake. I still use this when some jerk pulls right up to my rearend on stop light on a hill.

Until you get accustomed to the clutch and throttle this works great. And like zcar said, I still use it when someone's on my tail.

I use the e-brake method all the time.

just ummmm learn to drive.......

my prius has a hill start assist feature, get one

Thanks a lot you guys! Flat-landers huh?

A 15% gradient is not so unusual hereabouts: 5%-9% being common. I-15 to Vegas is a "mountain pass" by name only....it's all but flat.

Try a traffic jam on, for example, the Stelvio (Italy) mountain pass? Think a 370Z hand-brake ("emerg brake") will do the job? Unlikely....many cars need two hands or a passenger assistant, where simple "heel and toe" does the job smoothly at low RPM.

Now, to be serious, any electronic gurus out there who can help me?

It amounts to the electronic equivelant of longer throttle control arm(s) at carburetters, Lucas mechanical FI, Bosch Jetronic or a 20 year old quick Nissan !

That will also makes life easier/quicker/safer/more fun... to drive in the wet and helps a lot on snow.

You just have to be quick to prevent yourself from rolling back.

Can we please stop creating threads asking how to drive?

:bowrofl:

launch at 4,000 rpms and you will be fine albeit some burning clutch smells. j/k

Just know, mastering the clutch and 1st gear (on this car) takes some practice. More so than in your CiVic. Expect burning clutch smells for a while. Then drive on hills. lol

subaru comes with a feature called 'hill holder' its designed so you have a second or two to start moving forward on a hill without rolling backwards.

Seriously, the ebrake does me just fine on all the hills at Ft Riley and we have a few that are fairly steep. Plus ive been driving for years over in Scottland and its standard to just use the Ebrake, it works. 1 hand on wheel, get the revs you want, let off ebrake, shift as needed. common now :P

Unless the guy in the car behind you is right against your bumper, a little roll is fine. It's a little scary at first, but that's why the handbrake is useful until you feel comfortable using just the pedals. I visited Ecuador a few months ago and all the taxi's were manuals. They were usu to hill starts and I doubt they would give a crap about any kind of hill assist. Just practice. The clutch is more durable than you think. If this really bothers you, I hear the Z also comes with an automatic transmission.

My driveway is 15-20% before i hit the garage, ebrake seems to work well when I wait for the stupid door to open.