Hill Start Assist Control

[chilibit]

Is there such a thing on the 13 200? I find many feature lists that claim it does. The OM says use the hand brake (which by the way is much preferred to the foot operated parking brake on my Tundra). To get to our place it means an immediate 30 degree climb and gates need to closed and papers collected so shutting down on a steep grade is a daily deal. A real four disk line lock that would de-stress the transmission park cog would be wonderful. I am used to using the parking brake but it only brakes the rear wheels and on snow or ice you merely slide back unless I lock the center differential. Am I missing something?

I know I am missing the interior storage space of the Tundra. Such is life. Even on dry pavement the Tundra was not happy traction-wise climbing the first 1/4 mile. The LC just ignores it. It is nice to be back in a LC.

 

[gaijin]

Is there such a thing on the 13 200? I find many feature lists that claim it does. The OM says use the hand brake (which by the way is much preferred to the foot operated parking brake on my Tundra). To get to our place it means an immediate 30 degree climb and gates need to closed and papers collected so shutting down on a steep grade is a daily deal. A real four disk line lock that would de-stress the transmission park cog would be wonderful. I am used to using the parking brake but it only brakes the rear wheels and on snow or ice you merely slide back unless I lock the center differential. Am I missing something?

I know I am missing the interior storage space of the Tundra. Such is life. Even on dry pavement the Tundra was not happy traction-wise climbing the first 1/4 mile. The LC just ignores it. It is nice to be back in a LC.

Yes, there is Hill Start Assist on the 2013 LC.

However, as I understand the scenario you have described, in icy conditions you would have better results by engaging the CDL.

In normal operation, the Hill Start Assist stops the vehicle from rolling backawards when starting from a stop on a hill without having to use the hand brake. If, however, any of the wheels lose traction due to icy conditions, etc., the vehicle could slide backwards due to this lack of traction.

Further, if I understand your scenario correctly, if you are stopping on an incline then exiting the vehicle to open/close gates, retrieve mail, etc., then the vehicle should be secured before you exit - hand brake applied while foot is on the brake, then shift the Transmission into Park. In icy conditions, stability may be improved by engaging the CDL.

 

[Desert Nomad]

What I was told (not sure if true or not) so you don't stress the transmission cog, once stopped apply the parking brake in neutral, release the foot brake (so if the vehicle rolls a bit it's leaning on the brakes and not your gear) and then engage park. And when driving off shift to neutral release hand brake then engage gear.

 

[gaijin]

What I was told (not sure if true or not) so you don't stress the transmission cog, once stopped apply the parking brake in neutral, release the foot brake (so if the vehicle rolls a bit it's leaning on the brakes and not your gear) and then engage park. And when driving off shift to neutral release hand brake then engage gear.

Good advice

 

[chilibit]

I tried the Hill Start business on the entrance. Pull onto incline, brake to hold position, engage hand brake, shift to park. Return to vehicle, move shifter to drive, release hand brake. You get a fair bit of anti-lock chatter and start rolling back and accelerating. There is usually a timer built in these things. Under one second maybe? The 200 is a natural left foot brake setup for me. I think I will apply brakes with left foot, release hand brake and feed throttle. What I instinctively do anyway. There was no instrument panel telltale that Hill Start was active. My wife has a number of cars. One is a Smart. A servo-shifted manual. That system plain works. At least with the foot brake depressed I know I have all four tires locked. The trouble with that is that stopped tires don't steer. I appreciate the efforts to educate me. Usually if the driveway is so treacherous that this is happening I just leave the gate. It is an 80 drop off right at the edge of the drive and I am usually into conserving any momentum I can get. Backing down a slippery hill always seems like a really dumb idea.

 

[gaijin]

I tried the Hill Start business on the entrance. Pull onto incline, brake to hold position, engage hand brake, shift to park. Return to vehicle, move shifter to drive, release hand brake. You get a fair bit of anti-lock chatter and start rolling back and accelerating. There is usually a timer built in these things. Under one second maybe? The 200 is a natural left foot brake setup for me. I think I will apply brakes with left foot, release hand brake and feed throttle. What I instinctively do anyway. There was no instrument panel telltale that Hill Start was active. My wife has a number of cars. One is a Smart. A servo-shifted manual. That system plain works. At least with the foot brake depressed I know I have all four tires locked. The trouble with that is that stopped tires don't steer. I appreciate the efforts to educate me. Usually if the driveway is so treacherous that this is happening I just leave the gate. It is an 80 drop off right at the edge of the drive and I am usually into conserving any momentum I can get. Backing down a slippery hill always seems like a really dumb idea.

Please excuse me if I'm not understanding you, but let me clarify one point about the Hill Start Assist feature.

The Hill Start Assist feature only works when you stop on a hill and then start up again on the hill.

Any other driver intervention like engaging the hand brake, shifting the vehicle into park, etc., cancels the Hill Start Assist.

Hill Start Assist is designed to be used in traffic when the vehicle remains in gear throughout the stop/start cycle.

What I would do in your situation is after returning to the vehicle after stopping is to shift the vehicle into drive and feed throttle while gradually disengaging the hand brake leaving the left foot off the brake pedal.

I am not a big fan of left foot braking in on-road passenger vehicles.

 

[kreiten]

Please excuse me if I'm not understanding you, but let me clarify one point about the Hill Start Assist feature.

The Hill Start Assist feature only works when you stop on a hill and then start up again on the hill.

Any other driver intervention like engaging the hand brake, shifting the vehicle into park, etc., cancels the Hill Start Assist.

Hill Start Assist is designed to be used in traffic when the vehicle remains in gear throughout the stop/start cycle.

What I would do in your situation is after returning to the vehicle after stopping is to shift the vehicle into drive and feed throttle while gradually disengaging the hand brake leaving the left foot off the brake pedal.

I am not a big fan of left foot braking in on-road passenger vehicles.

this is exactly what it is, and although no light comes on the dash to let you know it's working, you will know it's working, simple stop on a hill without your foot on the brake or the gas and you will hear/feel the vehicle grab itself before rolling back very far...

 

[chilibit]

kreiten,

It works as you described. I expected too much.

My left foot braking came from the track with sequential shifters and I found it more common when I lived in Europe. My Tundra foot box was so big and the pedals were center biased---very awkward. The LC is much better for me. And when tension ratchets up, I naturally go to LFB. It works for me. I appreciate the helpful responses and the patience with the nanny neophyte.

Next I have to fix the droopy rear when I have a trailer with car in tow. My FJ40 drooped too. And it did not need a trailer. We just put in longer shackles in those days.

Enjoy

Vince