Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...
STARTING AND OPERATING 407
Hill Climbing
Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good under-
standing of your abilities and your vehicle's limitations. Hills
can cau
se serious problems. Some are just too steep to climb
and should not be attempted. You should always feel confi
-
dent with the vehicle and your abilities. You should always
climb h
ills straight up and down. Never attempt to climb a
hill on an angle.
Before Climbing A Steep Hill
As you approach a hill, consider its grade or steepness.
Determi
ne if it is too steep. Look to see what the traction is
on the hill side trail. Is the trail straight up and down? What
is on top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks, branches
or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover the
vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything looks good
and you feel confident, shift the transmission into a lower
gear with 4L (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.
CAUTION!
Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard objects
increases the risk of underbody damage.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around
on a ste
ep grade. Driving across an incline increases the
risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
5
Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...