34 | Section 2 Driving & Safety -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Monarch SE 2004
Ascending a Grade:
When approaching an uphill grade, try to assess how steep and long it is before
beginning to climb. Prepare early for long climbs.
Determine the ranges where the motorhome works best by driving long grades
in a way that temperatures will remain stable for the duration of the climb.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: If the road speed degrades to the point
where the motorhome is moving significantly below the posted speed,
turn on the four way flashers. Take advantage of pullouts if traffic is
building. Once in the pullout, if there is sufficient clearance for safety,
take a break. Idle the engine to allow the exhaust and transmission to
cool. Monitor the gauges and enjoy the view while you wait.
Descending a Grade:
When descending a long grade, use the braking force of the engine to maintain
a safe, slow speed. Do not rely entirely on the service brakes to slow the
motorhome when descending long grades. "Pumping" and riding the service
brakes is not recommended when descending a grade, as the brakes can overheat.
Over-use can result in the loss of brake effectiveness.
If it is necessary to use the service brakes for additional braking, use moderately
heavy pressure on the brake pedal to reduce the motorhome speed to the desired
speed of travel, then release it.
Before descending a grade, downshift the transmission to a lower gear and use
the engine to slow the vehicle. Monitor the motorhome speed while descending
the grade.
downhill
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