STARTING AND OPERATING 39
If everything looks good and you feel confident,
shift the transmission into a lower gear with
4WD Low engaged, and proceed with caution,
maintaining your momentum as you climb the
hill.
Driving Up Hill
Once you have determined your ability to
proceed and have shifted into the appropriate
gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest
possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant
throttle and apply more power as you start up
the hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade;
the abrupt change of grade could cause you to
lose control. If the front end begins to bounce,
ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four tires
back on the ground. As you approach the crest
of the hill, ease off the throttle and slowly
proceed over the top. If the wheels start to slip
as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off the
accelerator and maintain headway by turning
the steering wheel no more than a 1/4 turn
quickly back and forth. This will provide a fresh
“bite” into the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb.
If you do not make it to the top, place the vehicle
in REVERSE and back straight down the grade
using engine resistance along with the vehicle
brakes.
Driving Downhill
Before driving down a steep hill, you need to
determine if it is too steep for a safe descent.
What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow, controlled descent?
Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is
there plenty of distance at the base of the hill to
regain control if the vehicle descends to fast? If
you feel confident in your ability to proceed,
then make sure you are in 4WD Low and
proceed with caution. Allow engine braking to
control the descent and apply your brakes, if
necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
Driving Across An Incline
If at all possible, avoid driving across an incline.
If it is necessary, know your vehicle's abilities.
Driving across an incline places more weight on
the downhill wheels, which increases the
possibility of a downhill slide or rollover. Make
sure the surface has good traction with firm and
stable soils. If possible, transverse the incline at
an angle heading slightly up or down.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or
turn around on a steep grade. Driving across
an incline increases the risk of a rollover,
which may result in severe injury.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL.
Use vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine
braking. Descending a grade too fast could
cause you to lose control and be seriously
injured or killed.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of
a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
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