Hill Starts in XMs!

[Dieselman]

I've never really thought about it, I suppose I just take my foot off the brake and on to the accelerator - very quickly - not really had a problem with it.
Peter

That's what I used to do in my 2.0i petrol manual...obviously the TD auto made this redundant.

[Ciaran]

I've never really thought about it, I suppose I just take my foot off the brake and on to the accelerator - very quickly - not really had a problem with it. There does seem to be a slight lag before the brakes come off, that must help.

Peter

That's exactly how I do it.

Ciarán

[andmcit]

You guys all live out in Norfolk or drive auto's.

You need to try driving round this part of the world
- there's more damned hills than you can shake a stick at!

Andrew

[Peter.N.]

West Dorset is pretty hilly!

[Ciaran]

Whats in Norfolk?

I do very occasionly let the pedal spring up, but only on the absolute steepest of hills. On most ordinary ones, its sufficient to just get into the bite quickly. As Peter said, the brakes seem to delay releasing for a split second, which helps.

Ciarán

[ekaftan]

I live where its really hilly (Chile) and never needed the handbrake. Its a fail on the drivers test to use on hill starts. I just learned to lift the clutch until the engine RPM goes down slightly, then just remove foot from brake and go.

Its just practice.

[onthecut]

I'm in the let it fly off camp -- never had one give out through fatigue yet. On the other side of the coin -- what about putting it on ? Personally, I push the pedal (with the footbrake applied, usualy), then operate the handle. No ratchet wear. All in agreement ??!!

Mike.

[citroenmad]

Thats my usual method too, i just am quick with the brake/accelerator without any roll back.

Though i was trying the handbrake when stopped on slopes yesterday in the Xm, its really easy, dont have a problem with it. Its much easier if your in neutral just as your coming to a stop, as you can get the brake down straigt away.

It's probably down to the fabulous Northumberland countryside with roads that really suit
sprited yet comfortable Xm'ing. And of course the need to blat about large swathes of the
motorway network to get anywhere else means their effortless cruising ability suits the
geography well?
Andrew

Yes i like to think thats the reason Andrew Very good roads up there, or a little lower down the country on roads such as the butter tubs pass, excellent scenery and the roads are just superb! About a similar distance from me to Northumberland too. When ever i go out of the town (which is always as i rarely do anything in town) i have to go on dual carrigeways for a fair amout of time to get anywhere. Im often on the A1/M1 too, so its nice to have such great cruisers.

Actually i rarely see a Xantia around here, never mind an Xm, though there is a black on in the town ive seen on occasions. So im not sure if we think they are bargains, they seem to be dying out, Xantias i mean.

Chris.

[davetherave]

I thought they were dying out too, however i saw 10 xantias on saturday, 4 of which were L regs!

[Peter.N.]

There are still quite a number down here to, I probably see at least one a day, there are also a surprising number of 405 estates , probably on average one seen a day. Ther is an XM lives somewhere around Axminster, I've seen it a couple of times but no idea where it lives, must keep it in a garage.

Peter