Offroading with my 6 Speed
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Amish Country, PA
The hill start assist used to be a standard option on all Subarus as well. They called it a "hill holder". It was a great feature, but got phased out when they went away from cable controlled clutches . On a hill (while holding down the clutch) you would press the brake pedal all extra hard and then you could remove your foot from the brake pedal and the system would keep you there until you released the clutch pedal about half way. I used it all the time in the two Subarus I once owned. The only problem was if the system ever went out of adjustment, it was a major PITA to readjust.
BTW.....great thread guys. I have owned nothing but stick shifts my whole life and had some of the same questions rattling around between my ears. My JK will be the first one that spends any real time off the pavement. The rest were a little quicker and spent more time on race tracks
BTW.....great thread guys. I have owned nothing but stick shifts my whole life and had some of the same questions rattling around between my ears. My JK will be the first one that spends any real time off the pavement. The rest were a little quicker and spent more time on race tracks
Last edited by OoPEZoO; Jul 18, 2009 at 04:33 AM.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: palmyra, VA
wheeling with a 6-speed and in extreme conditions takes a bit of practice but it's not impossible and in some cases, more capable in my opinion.
1. don't be afraid to stall - try NOT to use the clutch when in low and allow your jeep to crawl over everything. as mentioned, you should find that your jeep will just want to go when in 1st and in 4LO and if anything, you will be using your brakes to slow you up.
2. your hand brake is your friend - if you stall out or are starting up a steep climb, use your hand brake to control your speed. before you start, pull your hand brake all the way up and leave your hand on it. then, give your jeep some gas (just a bit - DO NOT rev it high) and slowly start letting up on the clutch. as you feel your jeep build up torque, slowly lower the hand brake just enough to let your jeep move forward. continue to slowly give gas and let out on the clutch and slowly lower your hand brake using it to regulate forward movement. this is a delicate process and the trick is to NOT let out on everything all at once or abruptly. once you get going and are under control, you can let off on the clutch and hand brake completely.
the number one thing that people do wrong when wheeling a manual is that they tend to ride the clutch to no end. a close 2nd is that they tend to be impatient and be heavy on the skinny pedal. as mentioned, stalling is not a crime and taking on obstacles should be done slowly and under control. if you follow these step, you will find that your jeep is every bit as capable as an auto and you will prevent burning out your clutch or worse.
let me know if you have any other questions.
1. don't be afraid to stall - try NOT to use the clutch when in low and allow your jeep to crawl over everything. as mentioned, you should find that your jeep will just want to go when in 1st and in 4LO and if anything, you will be using your brakes to slow you up.
2. your hand brake is your friend - if you stall out or are starting up a steep climb, use your hand brake to control your speed. before you start, pull your hand brake all the way up and leave your hand on it. then, give your jeep some gas (just a bit - DO NOT rev it high) and slowly start letting up on the clutch. as you feel your jeep build up torque, slowly lower the hand brake just enough to let your jeep move forward. continue to slowly give gas and let out on the clutch and slowly lower your hand brake using it to regulate forward movement. this is a delicate process and the trick is to NOT let out on everything all at once or abruptly. once you get going and are under control, you can let off on the clutch and hand brake completely.
the number one thing that people do wrong when wheeling a manual is that they tend to ride the clutch to no end. a close 2nd is that they tend to be impatient and be heavy on the skinny pedal. as mentioned, stalling is not a crime and taking on obstacles should be done slowly and under control. if you follow these step, you will find that your jeep is every bit as capable as an auto and you will prevent burning out your clutch or worse.
let me know if you have any other questions.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
It works well to bog it down a bit -
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA.
crawling up hill over some good size rocks and you need to stop (for what ever reason). Don't use your brake or clutch, just turn the ignition off, you will stop immediately and the engine will hold you steady. When your ready to go forward again just start the engine (no clutch) and you will start crawling again in total control. This works fantastically with the 6pd rubicon because of the great crawl ration of 65 to 1. Should work pretty good with the X also as your crawl ration is around 44 to 1. In the same situation as above but your need to stop is because you need to back up and try another line, try it this way. When you need to stop shut off the key. Put your right foot on the brake pedal and push in the clutch 
with your left foot. Put it in reverse, let the cluth out and take the pressure off the brake while still keeping your foot over the pedal. Now hit the key, your engine will start and you will go backwards slowly and in control. When you need to stop to change direction again shut the key off and reverse the procedure. Try it you'll like it.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: los vegas
yea thanks for the advice i jsut got a 09' rubicon 6 speed and i have been looking for some good advice befor taking it off road..i didnt know about starting in in 4lo thats pretty cool i also had another question this one is sorta stupid but when ur 2wheel at what point will something be to big to just let 2wheel crawl over? or if u just come up to say a big parking block and u just in first will it go right over it even thougt it is in 2wheel?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Montclair NJ
Enable/Disable Hill Start Assist
From the Jeep 2009 Owners manual, page 329 (you can download this for free from http://www.jeep.com/en/owners/manuals/ )
1. Start with the engine off and vehicle in PARK (automatic
transmission) or NEUTRAL with clutch out
(manual transmission) with wheels straight. Apply parking
brake on manual transmission vehicle.
2. Start the engine.
3. With the engine running, the brake applied, and the
clutch out, rotate the steering wheel 180° counterclockwise
from center.
4. Press the ESP OFF switch four times within twenty
seconds.
5. Rotate the steering wheel 360° clockwise (180° clockwise
from center).
6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON.
7. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESP/
TCS Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm
HSA is off.
Steps 1-7 must be completed within 90 seconds to turn off
HSA. Repeat
1. Start with the engine off and vehicle in PARK (automatic
transmission) or NEUTRAL with clutch out
(manual transmission) with wheels straight. Apply parking
brake on manual transmission vehicle.
2. Start the engine.
3. With the engine running, the brake applied, and the
clutch out, rotate the steering wheel 180° counterclockwise
from center.
4. Press the ESP OFF switch four times within twenty
seconds.
5. Rotate the steering wheel 360° clockwise (180° clockwise
from center).
6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON.
7. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESP/
TCS Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm
HSA is off.
Steps 1-7 must be completed within 90 seconds to turn off
HSA. Repeat
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
yea thanks for the advice i jsut got a 09' rubicon 6 speed and i have been looking for some good advice befor taking it off road..i didnt know about starting in in 4lo thats pretty cool i also had another question this one is sorta stupid but when ur 2wheel at what point will something be to big to just let 2wheel crawl over? or if u just come up to say a big parking block and u just in first will it go right over it even thougt it is in 2wheel?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, OH
this is all good stuff... starting in 4L w/out clutch! I will not forget that.
and the engine brake in 4L 1st gear is AWESOME. don't need brakes, it just keeps itself going nice and easy down very steep declines.
can't wait for my next off-road trip to try some of this stuff out.
and the engine brake in 4L 1st gear is AWESOME. don't need brakes, it just keeps itself going nice and easy down very steep declines.
can't wait for my next off-road trip to try some of this stuff out.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Gardendale AL
Yours isn't broke, the hill start assist came out on th 09 but you may have something better or at least as good. That is the ability to start with the clutch out when in 4lo. I know it's on the Rubicon, not sure if it's on the X. The problem you have rolling back is because you put the clutch in on a uphill climb. Next time try it this way. Your in 4lo first gear and your
crawling up hill over some good size rocks and you need to stop (for what ever reason). Don't use your brake or clutch, just turn the ignition off, you will stop immediately and the engine will hold you steady. When your ready to go forward again just start the engine (no clutch) and you will start crawling again in total control. This works fantastically with the 6pd rubicon because of the great crawl ration of 65 to 1. Should work pretty good with the X also as your crawl ration is around 44 to 1. In the same situation as above but your need to stop is because you need to back up and try another line, try it this way. When you need to stop shut off the key. Put your right foot on the brake pedal and push in the clutch with your left foot. Put it in reverse, let the cluth out and take the pressure off the brake while still keeping your foot over the pedal. Now hit the key, your engine will start and you will go backwards slowly and in control. When you need to stop to change direction again shut the key off and reverse the procedure. Try it you'll like it.