How to move off quickly at busy roundabouts in a manual car.
Knowing how to move off quickly is important.
Moving off quickly at busy roundabouts in a manual car starts with proper preparation and the correct sequence. When waiting to go on to the roundabout, select 1st gear early and be ready. When a safe gap appears, apply the accelerator first, then bring the clutch smoothly to the biting point. The car needs more gas than a gentle move-off so it can accelerate briskly into the flow of traffic, but the power must be matched with controlled clutch release. Getting this order right makes the move-off smooth, positive and predictable.
It’s important not to sit holding the accelerator or balancing on the biting point while you wait. That increases clutch wear, wastes fuel and can overheat components. Instead, wait calmly with the clutch fully down and your foot off the accelerator. When you've decided the gap is safe, accelerate first, then lift the clutch progressively, not too quickly, or you risk wheel spin and a jerky launch. Once the car is moving cleanly, release the clutch fully and continue to accelerate as needed.
Knowing how to move off quickly when it's safe and needed is essential at busy roundabouts. Hesitation can cause you to miss good gaps, frustrate other drivers or create uncertainty if you begin to move and then stop. Being ready, decisive and mechanically sympathetic shows real control. For a full demonstration of this technique in real traffic, watch the "How to Move Quickly at Roundabouts" video below, where the process is broken down step by step.
