Stay in control: Exploring hill hold control for easy uphill starts

As a driver, you will encounter a variety of roads and terrain that will test your skills behind the steering wheel. One such tricky challenge that many beginner and even experienced drivers face is driving up an inclined surface or a steep slope. This is where the use of the hill hold control or hill hold assist comes in handy in four-wheelers. Get more information on hill hold assist in cars and how it works on this page.

What is a hill hold assist in cars?

The hill hold assist is a type of safety feature that prevents the vehicle from rolling back when the driver starts driving the car from a stationary position on a hill, slope or some other inclined surface. When the driver slowly removes their feet off the brake and applies the accelerator as they drive up a hill, the vehicle becomes susceptible to rolling back. It can be particularly tricky to handle for new and inexperienced drivers. But with the hill hold assist feature, this issue can be easily tackled as it briefly applies the brakes to offer some extra time required to get the vehicle moving.

How does the hill hold assist work?

The hill hold control or hill hold assist feature operates using two main sensors, one of which calculates the slope’s longitudinal gradient while the other engages or disengages the braking mechanism. This feature automatically activates once an inclined slope is detected, so you don’t have to press any buttons. When you release the brake and slowly accelerate, the hill hold assist will keep the vehicle stable for a few more seconds and release the brake only after the engine has enough power to move forward. This way, it eliminates the risk of rolling back on inclined slopes. Besides slope detection, this feature can also be activated via clutch detection, engine torque detection, brake detection, forward roll detection, backward motion detection, etc.

Advantages of the hill hold assist feature in cars

There are many advantages of having the hill hold assist feature in cars. Some of the most important ones are:

1. Makes uphill drives easy: The hill hold assist feature makes uphill driving significantly easier for all kinds of drivers. It is particularly advantageous for beginners trying on uphill slopes in a manual transmission car.

2. Good for car health: With the hill hold assist feature, vehicular components, such as brakes, clutch plates, handbrakes, etc., become less likely to wear out. As it works flawlessly to maintain vehicle stability, it minimises certain driver errors that can wear out car components.

3. Enhances safety: The feature prevents the vehicle from rolling back on inclined slopes, which not only prevents collision with other vehicles but also helps avoid the risk of major accidents in hilly regions.

Conclusion

Hill hold assist or hill hold control truly makes driving on inclined slopes or hills very easy. It has also become a crucial safety feature, as it reduces the risk of accidents and collisions in hill areas. While it was mainly seen in premium cars, more and more manufacturers are implementing it in their budget segment four-wheelers.