2008 Dodge Nitro Owner Manual - Page 270

270 STARTING AND OPERATING Driving In Snow, Mud and Sand In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low gear and shift the transfer case to 4L or 4LO if necessary. Refer to "Four-Wheel Drive Operation" in this section. Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost. Avoid abrupt downshifts on icy or slippery roads, because engine braking may cause skidding and loss of control. Hill Climbing NOTE: Before attempting to climb a hill, determine the conditions at the crest and/or on the other side. Before climbing a steep hill, shift the transmission to a lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L or 4LO. Use first gear and 4L or 4LO for very steep hills. If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately apply the brakes. Restart the engine and shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing the compression braking of the engine to help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding the tires. WARNING! If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear carefull. Never back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the brake.