Practice question

When trying to pull away from a slippery surface in a car with a manual transmission, you should do which of the following:

  1. Accelerate rapidly
  2. Both A and B
  3. Neither A nor B
  4. Start in second or high gear

Answer: D — Start in second or high gear

On a slippery surface, traction is limited, so you want to limit the power you send to the wheels as you start moving. Starting in a higher gear, like second or even higher, reduces the engine’s torque at the wheels compared to starting in first. That smaller torque helps prevent the tires from spinning and lets the car begin to move smoothly without sliding. To make this work, ease the clutch up slowly while giving only a little steady throttle. If you try to accelerate hard, the reduced grip can cause wheel spin and a loss of control. Starting in second or a higher gear keeps the movement controlled and reduces the chance of slipping.

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