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| Descending Hills |
or your safety, travel straight up or down hills. Don’t traverse
the face of a hill; you may slip sideways or roll your vehicle.
Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep
terrain, or unstable ground. Back up until you find a safe
place to turn around. Use four wheel drive, low range and
minimize braking. Use the lowest transmission gear to keep
speed down on steep slopes.
Modulate the brake pedal to keep the tires from locking.
The rear end gets lighter going down hill, making the rear
tires more prone to locking and sliding. If the rear tires lock
up, the rear end may slide sideways, with a potential roll
over. Release the brakes to regain traction, then apply the
brakes again.
If the front brakes lock up, you will have no steering control.
Modulate the brakes to keep the tire rolling at both front and
rear.
Make steering wheel inputs as small as possible.
It is better to carry more speed than to drive down steep
slopes with any tires locked up.
If the slope is very slippery from rain, snow, ice, sand or
loose dirt and gravel, walk the slope to get an idea of the
traction available before descending. If you think it is
impassible or dangerous, turn back.
the face of a hill; you may slip sideways or roll your vehicle.
Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep
terrain, or unstable ground. Back up until you find a safe
place to turn around. Use four wheel drive, low range and
minimize braking. Use the lowest transmission gear to keep
speed down on steep slopes.
Modulate the brake pedal to keep the tires from locking.
The rear end gets lighter going down hill, making the rear
tires more prone to locking and sliding. If the rear tires lock
up, the rear end may slide sideways, with a potential roll
over. Release the brakes to regain traction, then apply the
brakes again.
If the front brakes lock up, you will have no steering control.
Modulate the brakes to keep the tire rolling at both front and
rear.
Make steering wheel inputs as small as possible.
It is better to carry more speed than to drive down steep
slopes with any tires locked up.
If the slope is very slippery from rain, snow, ice, sand or
loose dirt and gravel, walk the slope to get an idea of the
traction available before descending. If you think it is
impassible or dangerous, turn back.
| Climbing down steep rocks requires low speeds, especially when dropping off a rock shelf . |
| Long, gentle descents offer a chance to take in spectacular vistas. A grade like this is usually driven in low range second.. |
Copyright 2009 Don Alexander
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