ElDorado Advantage - Driving on Snow or Ice

26
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
When operating the vehicle on snow
or ice, reduce speed gradually. Select
a gear range that will not exceed
the speed you expect to maintain.
Accelerate or decelerate very gradually
to avoid losing traction. It is very
important to reach the gear in the
lower range selected by letting the
transmission shift down automatically
while gradually slowing. It is important
to slow gradually when a lower range is
selected. It is also important that you
reach the lower range selected before
attempting to accelerate. This avoids
unexpected down-shifting during
acceleration.
DO NOT use the retarder during
inclement weather or when the road
surfaces are slippery due to ice or rain.
i CAUTION
DRIVING THROUGH DEEP WATER,
OR SNOW WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT
BRAKING PERFORMANCE.
ROCKING THE VEHICLE
This section does not apply to vehicles
equipped with ATC (Automatic Traction
Control).
If the bus is stuck in mud, sand or
snow, it may be possible to “rock”
out. Shift to “Drive” and apply steady,
light throttle – and NEVER full throttle.
When the bus has rocked forward
as far as it will go, apply and hold
the service brakes. Allow the engine
to return to idle, and then select
“Reverse”. Release the brakes and
apply a steady, light throttle and allow
the bus to rock in “Reverse” as far as
it will go. Again, apply and hold the
service brakes and allow the engine to
idle. Never make "Neutral" to "Drive"
or directional shift changes when the
engine RPM is above idle.
To avoid injury or property damage
caused by sudden bus movement, do
not shift from “Neutral” to “Drive” or
“Reverse” when the throttle is open.
Shifting with the throttle above idle
causes the transmission to delay
engaging unless the throttle is closed
within the next three (3) seconds.
Leaving the throttle open longer than
three seconds causes the transmission
to remain in “Neutral”. When the
throttle is subsequently closed or
brought back down, the transmission
can engage without warning, causing
sudden movement of the vehicle. Avoid
this condition by making shifts from
“Neutral” to “Drive” or “Reverse” only
at idle.
Do not make “Neutral-to-Drive” or
directional shift changes with engine
RPM above idle. If the wheels are
stuck and not turning, do not apply
full power for more than 30 seconds.
Full power for more than 30 seconds
under these conditions will cause
the transmission to overheat. If the
transmission overheats, shift to
“Neutral” and operate the engine at
1200-1500 RPM until it has cooled
down (approximately 2-3 minutes).
Turn the retarder (if equipped) “OFF”
when operating the bus in inclement
weather, or when road surfaces are
slippery.
03 DRIVER’S AREA